Overview of the 66th Structural Reform Special Zone Plan Recognition
On August 22, 2025, the Cabinet Office recognized three plans under the 66th Structural Reform Special Zone Plan based on the Structural Reform Special Zone Act: plans from Gifu Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, and Toyohashi City in Aichi Prefecture. This brings the total number of structural reform special zones nationwide to 1,534, further advancing regional revitalization through deregulation that leverages regional characteristics. All recognized special zones utilize the "Specific Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing Business by Specific Agricultural Operators" (Article 28 of the Special Zone Act), aiming to integrate the sixth industrialization of regional agriculture with tourism promotion.
Specific Content of Each Special Zone Plan
Gifu Prefecture's "Clear Stream Gifu Doburoku, Fruit Wine, and Liqueur Special Zone" allows agricultural operators running farm restaurants and farm inns throughout the prefecture to manufacture alcoholic beverages using rice and fruits they produce themselves. The annual production volume requirement is significantly relaxed from the usual 6 kiloliters, making it possible to obtain alcoholic beverage manufacturing licenses even for small-scale operations. Ehime Prefecture's "Ehime Doburoku, Fruit Wine, and Liqueur Special Zone" aims to create new regional brands through fruit wine manufacturing using specialty citrus fruits such as mikan and iyokan. Toyohashi City's "Toyohashi Doburoku and Liqueur Special Zone" in Aichi Prefecture is expected to develop new tourism content combining agricultural experiences with alcoholic beverage manufacturing experiences, leveraging the characteristics of suburban agriculture.