Socioeconomic conditions underwent a major change both at home and abroad
during the 1970s. Firstly, the world's political and economic situation became
increasingly precarious, as seen in the trade frictions among the industrial
countries and the emergence of the oil producting countries as a new international
power. Secondly, the resources question, triggered by the oil crises, and the
necessity to protect the environment from pollution remain major restrictive
factors for further economic activities. Thirdly, the rise in living standards
has created diverse values in the consciousness of the people and changed their
philosophies and lifestyles.
In these circumstances, the Japanese economy has shifted to low growth, and,
as in other sectors, the transport industry is requested to develop new policy
based on innovative ideas.
To meet such a request, the Council for Transport Policy in July 1981 made
a recommendation regarding the "basic direction of an overall transport policy
based on long-term prospects." In accordance with this recommendation, the Ministry
of Transport is prepared to promote various measures with regard to such issues
as fare, passenger transport on trunk lines, passenger transport in local areas,
and physical distribution.
| (1) |
Fare |
| The present fare system needs the following improvements: |
| a) |
Revision in the JNR fare system based on uniform, national
rates; |
| b) |
Introduction of an air fare system incorporating gradually
decreasing rates for long-distance trips, based on cost principles by route;
|
| c) |
Introduction of discount rates for connection trips; |
| d) |
Study of introducing discount rates during the off-peak. |
| (2) |
Passenger transport on trunk lines |
| a) |
Passenger transport on national trunk lines The existing traffic
networks will be made full use of; the existing railways and highways will
be improved as feeder transport systems for air and JNR shinkansen services. |
| b) |
Short-distance passenger transport between cities Transport
means will be improved on the basis of the comparison of their characteristics
in accordance with demand for transport. The existing railways will be used
in areas where demand is relatively strong, and automobiles will be used
in areas where railway characteristics cannot be made full use of |
| (3) |
Passenger transport in local areas |
| a) |
As railways and buses are suitable for carrying commuters
and students, these mass transport means will be maintained or further improved
in accordance with their capacity and costs; the construction of a small-scale
subway system will be studied in large cities with the construction costs
in mind. |
| b) |
Along with the public transport means, private cars will be
assessed positively as an important means of transportation in local areas.
The use of private cars will be promoted with reference to various systems,
including the social car which is experimented with in Britain. |
| (4) |
Physical distribution |
| a) |
From the viewpoint of creating an efficient distribution system,
a new service system will be developed, as was seen in the use of trucks
for door-to-door delivery services, or the formation of a comprehensive
transport service system will be studied with a view to providing various
kinds of transport services. |
| b) |
As the JNR's position vis-a-vis freight transport has declined,
its management structure needs to be improved, and its transport system
reorganized. |
| c) |
Ports, harbors, and large-scale truck terminals related in
particular to physical distribution will be improved from a long-term viewpoint. |
