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In conjunction with the administrative reforms in the government after
the war, the Ministry of Transport was formed in 1949, but the organization
was focused on contemporary transport facilities and was organized on "a vertical
subdivision". The Ministry was basically concerned with the administration of
the various fields of transport with respective laws and regulations for each
field of enterprise>
During the postwar recovery period and the succeeding period of high economic
growth, there was marked development in all fields of transport, and considerable
benefits were achieved with effective administration of transport.
(Large changes in economic and social conditions)
However,urbanization and motorization which developed during this period
of high economic growth generated problems of over-urbanization and depopulation
of rural areas, in turn creating very serious repercussions in public transport
system such as railways, buses, etc.
Again subsequent to the oil Crisis in 1973, the shift of Japanese economy
to a more stable growth brought about changes in both national consciousness
and economic structure, brought about a levelling off of demand for transport
growth but an accentuated demand for higher quality transport services. This
in turn brought about very severe competition among the various modes of transport.
(New demands for the transport administration)
Changes in the economy and society along these lines now demanded that a
transport administration be established on these precepts of urbanization motorization
and severe competition which would maintain an overview of these developments
when implementing policies. The changes also indicated the necessity of gradually
shifting from a "vertically subdivided" administration based on each transport
mode to a "horizontally subdivided" administration which permitted the consolidation
of transport activities on a regional basis as well as a firm grasp of freight
distribution, based on the interests of the users of such services.
As the international position of Japan is heightened, the needs for more
organic administration than ever has been heightened also in the fields of international
transport, tourism and international cooperation.
With these changes in objectives, the Ministry implemented, on the first
of July 1984, a drastic organizational reform which was the first of its kind
in the Ministry's history.
(Remodelling into a comprehensive policy-making agency)
The objective of the current organizational reform is to revise the organization
from a "vertically subdivided" system (divided by the respective transport modes
which served as the core of administration based on granting of authority) to
"a horizontally subdivided" organization which meets the major administrative
needs of the new age. It would not only be concerned with the means of transport
but also with the objects of transport and their problems, and gradually dispense
with the previous system of granting authority which no longer meets the demands
of the times. This requires administrative acumen endorsed with accurate decisions
based upon a wealth of information which must be provided with the support of
the correct administrative strengths recognized to become a comprehensive policy-making
agency.
The Transport Administration is faced with a number of problems including
reconstruction of the Japanese National Railways, transport in local areas,
freight distribution, international transport, development of airports, etc.
A review of fundamental tasks which appear in all the different aspects of transport
administration is as follows:
(1) Establishment of a comprehensive transport system
Henceforth, the combination of mutually complementary types of transport
should efficiently respond to requirements with transport services of a high
quality with emphasis on the characteristics of the respective modes of transport
involved. The formulation of a consolidated system is particularly necessary
at this time. The efficient and effective administration of the railways with
priority given to charateristic fields, is also especially important for reconstructing
JNR at this time.
(2) Deliberation of the proper form of rules and regulations governing enterprises
Responding to the changes in economic and social conditions, the transport
industries require a reassessment of the rules and regulations governing their
activities to aggressively endeavor to provide superior services, so a committee
has been formed within the Ministry and is proceeding to study the aspects involved.
(3) Promoting Measures for the convenience of the users
As the requirements of the users gradually become more diversified and demand
a higher quality of services, it is necessary to promote measures directed to
improving the convenience of the users, such as revising the transport tariffs
and transport contract conditions. They should be most concerned with protecting
the rights of the general consumer and the weaker users of means of transport(Fig
0).
With an eye on the 21st century in transport administration, we are attempting
to implement long term projects in pioneering innovative solutions for foreseeable
requirements, which are enumerated as follows:
(1) Promotion of information intensification in transport
With the recent development of information intensification in general, we
are urged further to push for the information intensification in transport,
through the combined use of computers and communication media for the processing
and offering of transport-related information. It is necessary to materialize
the improved convenience of users and the vitalized community by the following
measures (Fig 1):
| a) | To realize the building up of the infrastructure for intensifying information processing and offering in transport ; and in addition |
| b) | To foster overall information intensification in Japan through building up the nationwide information and communication network by means of laying optical fibre cables along the railway lines or otherwise; and |
| c) | To develop such traffic terminals as railway stations and airports into information bases where traffic information or other transport-related information is available through introducing new media for communication to such bases |
(2) Encouragement of technological development
Transport is currently subjected to such disparate social demands as improving
convenience, lowering cost, saving energy, improving safety and preventing of
pollution. To properly cope with such demands, much is dependent upon the development
of transport technology.
Under such circumstances, it is now important to skillfully utilize for the
sake of transportation the high technology which has made remarkable progress
in recent years. Along this line, the development of a highly reliable and intelligent
ship where dramatic automation and manpower-saving are realized, as well as
of a super-conducting magnetic levitation railway, is being pushed. Furthermore,
already in operation are eight modern sailing merchant ships which were developed
for the purpose of saving energy.
(3) Promotion of ocean development
Further development and utilization of ocean for the future development of
our nation is desirable and the Ministry of Transport is promoting a number
of policies based on an overall concept to further encourage ocean development
and utilization over a wider area.
Striving for the development and utilization of our coastal areas with innovative
multi-purpose concepts, we are encouraging the establishment of off-shore manmade
islands, the creation of calm ocean areas through the control of ocean waves,
etc.
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