2.6. Recent Topics in Japanese Ports and Harbors

2.6.1 Positioning of Port and Harbor Related Measures among Measures Promoted by the Japanese Government

General policy speech delivered by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the opening of the 153rd Diet Session (Extract: September 27, 2001) (Ceaseless efforts toward structural reform -Structural reform of the economy and public finance-) To increase the attraction of cities and improve international competitiveness, we will give concrete form to urban redevelopment projects that involve, for example, the construction of wide-area disaster prevention centers and the reinforcement of distributions functions in large cities (etc).

Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEFP)

Basic Policies for Macroeconomic Management and Structural Reform of the Japanese Economy (Extract: June 26, 2001) Chapter 6 Basic ideas of economic and fiscal management in FY 2002 2. FY2002 budget (3) Areas needing intensive promotion 1. Measures to environmental issues including the creation of a society with a resources circulating economy. 2. Measures to falling birthrates and aging of the population 3. Unique regional revitalization and unique development of regional towns 4. Urban redevelopment-Attraction of cities and international competitiveness 7. Creation of the world's most advanced IT (information technology) nation

Front-Loaded Reform Program (Extract: October 26, 2001) 3. Measures having particular urgency in order to accelerate the pace of structural reform 1. Creation of electronic government Promotion of the trend toward single-window operations through the use of linked systems, such as NACCS at ports and harbors 6. Promotion of PFI for urban redevelopment and the development of towns and public facilities Utilization of PFI for the construction and management of the international sea container terminal(Kita Kyushu Port)

Urban redevelopment headquarters

Urban redevelopment project (1st project finalized) (Extract: June 14, 2001) 1. Construction of main wide-area disaster prevention centers around Tokyo Bay 2. Reconstruction of large cities into zero-emission cities Urban redevelopment project (2 no project finalized) (Extract: August 28, 2001) 1. Reinforcement of international exchanges and distribution functions in large cities Reinforcement of functions of international ports and harbors 5. Further development of PFI techniques Urban redevelopment project (3 rd project finalized) (Extract: December 4, 2001) 3. Redevelopment of the urban environment and infrastructures in large cities Formation of green zones in waterfront areas and restoration of the sea

General principles of new comprehensive distribution policies (Cabinet decision) (Extract: July 6, 2001) Section 1 Basic ideas II. Basic direction of policies (2) Direction of policies 1. Establishment of an advanced distribution system that ensures overall efficiency for the purpose of creating a society that is internationally competitive (a) Establishment of an advanced distribution system that ensures overall efficiency (b) Reinforcement of the functions of international distribution centers, and others 2. Establishment of a distribution system that responds to social issues (a) Measures to the global warming problem (b) Measures to environmental problems such as air pollution (c) Measures of a resources collection system for the purpose of creating a society with a resources circulating economy (d) Responses to distribution safety issues such as accident prevention 3. Establishment of a distribution system that supports national life

Reform plan for international distribution (Extract: August 28, 2001) (1) Plan to comprehensively promote information technology in international distribution 1. Early realization of single-window operations for administrative procedures (Nippon Automated Cargo Clearance System or NACCS (customs clearance information processing system) and the export/import and ports and harbors related procedures processing system) concerning international distribution, currently being systematized (by fiscal 2003 as a guide)

IT Strategy Headquarters

e-Japan priority plan (Extract: March 29, 2001) <Five areas particularly needing priority measures> (iv) Promotion of administrative computerization and 'utilization of information communications technologies in the public sector Connection between NACCS and EDI for ports and harbors during FY 2001 and connection among NACCS, EDI for ports and harbors, and systems which support granting crews permission to land by FY 2002, as part of computerization of procedures such as application and reporting procedures e-Japan 2002 program II. Area-specific measures Computerization of procedures such as application and reporting procedures, and others

Report on the 21st Century Wanokuni Zukuri Conference (5th) (Extract: July 10, 2001) <Main issues> 3. Cycle of material circulation-Realization of a society with a resources circulating economy through the zero emissions campaign 4. Cycle of the ecosystem-To create a society in harmony with nature