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Chapter 5. Development of Railway Transport Responding to Public Needs

Section 1. Promoting Railway Construction

1. The Principle of Railway Construction
　　 Much is expected of railways as road congestion intensifies and environmental concerns grow, not to mention the fact that this social capital forms a base to sustain national life. Nevertheless, construction costs are running up to colossal figures, and stand-by periods of projects are inevitably prolonged into the long-term. Therefore it is important to encourage railway development by introducing policies which boost investment incentives of businesses.
2. Constructing the Artery of Railway Traffic
　　 Regarding the New Shinkansen Lines, 3 lines and 5 blocks are being constructed, including the Takasaki-Nagano route of the Hokuriku-Shinkansen. As for trunk narrow-gauge lines of JR, constructions for speeding up services are progressing on Hokuetsuhoku lines and others.
3. Construction of City-Railways
　　 Subways, monorails, neo-transport systems, railways of leading commercial businesses, and those of passenger businesses (ie. JR group) are to be constructed. Moreover, accessrailways to airports and railways in unison with housing development (ie. the New Jyoban Line) are to be developed.
4. Development of Local Railways
　　 Smaller commercial railway businesses will be encouraged to make self-supporting management efforts, by the provision of aid in modernization works etc. Furthermore, the construction of fresh rural railway lines will be promoted

Section 2. Expansion of Railway Transport Services

　　 For users, convenience and comfort are hoped to be upgraded by improvements in station facilities, introduction of comfortable carriages, and mutual use of tracks by different railway companies. Moreover, the launch of various rolling stocks, including for example luxurious sleeping carriages, is expected to contribute towards holiday activities.[Fig.65]

Section 3. For the Perfection of the National Railways Reform

　　 The Ministry of Transport and the Japan National Railways Settlement Corp. are expending great efforts for the early clearance of National Railways' Iong-term debts by enhancing the effective disposal of land and JR stocks, in order to lighten the ultimate burden on taxpayers as much as possible.

Section 4. For Safe and Reliable Railways

　　 Although railroad accidents tend to decrease in the long run, further safety is being sought by advancing the appropriate implementation of: preventive measures against crossing accidents; accident investigations ; and countermeasures to avert the recurrence of accidents, etc. [Table15]