Core Points - The public bath culture in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, is facing significant decline due to various factors, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of public baths from 2,700 in the 1970s to just over 400 currently [1][2] - The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is launching a "Public Bath Inheritance Plan" to support the survival of these traditional baths by finding suitable buyers for those at risk of closing and providing comprehensive support during their initial operations [1] - Emotional ties to family-run businesses create resistance among current operators to accept non-family successors, complicating the transition to the next generation [1] Government Support Initiatives - The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has allocated 880 million yen (approximately 43.81 million RMB) in its budget for this fiscal year to establish four support projects related to public baths [2] - The initiatives include increasing subsidies for seismic repairs and clean energy renovations, promoting facility upgrades, and conducting promotional activities to highlight the cultural significance of Tokyo's public baths [2] - To attract visitors, the government will issue discounted bathing coupons and support baths that offer multilingual services, while also providing financial assistance to encourage young people to take over bath operations [2]