Chapter　12　 New Transport Technology in Progress

12. 1　Present State of the Art in Technological Development

12. 1. 1　Major Research and Development in FY1977

　 　Magnetically levitated superhigh-speed transit systems free of noise and vibration are under development by the Ministry of Transport, JNR, and JAL (Japan Airlines) respec tively.(see Figure 12(1) Figure12(2) Figre12(3) )A geostationary meteorological satellite dubbed “Himawan” (meaning sunflower) was launched and placed in service in July 1977.
There are various on-going projects, including naval architectural developments conceｒｎing the security of energy sources, development of a marine-use Starling engine, engineering developments concerning deepwater large-scale ports and harbors ; developments concerning earthquake and volcanic eruption forewarning technologies ; etc.

12. 1. 2　Research, Studies, and Development at Attached Research Institutes of MOT

　 　Research and studies in which research institutes affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, and other public laboratories are engaged in both general and specific subjects. Of the specific subjects, those identified as being particularly important for transport administration numbered 43 in FY1977. They were related to traffic safety, prevention of environmental pollution, nuclear powered ships, modernization of ships, marine development, construction of ports and harbors, space development, harnessing of nuclear power, etc.

12. 1. 3　Subsidized Research and Development

　 　Those experiments and studies undertaken by private companies which are accredited with being of great importance for advancement and development of transport technologies are subsidized under the Private Enterprise Rationalization Promotion Law.