Chapter　1 　Aiming at Activation of Transport

　 　In the recent low-growth economic situation, major changes are taking place in the nation's socioeconomic activities, such as high-level and diverse public needs and fast progress in soft economics. It these circumstances, there is a growing demand for improved transport services, although the increase in total transport demands has soloed down. (Figs. 1 and 2)
　 　In the past year since its Organizational Reform, the Ministry of Transport has carried out various administrative measures to activate the nation's transport industry, including the formulation of basic policies and long-term plans.
　 　This chapter deals with long-term, comprehensive tasks related to transport administration.

1. 1　Utilization and Proportion of Private Sector's Vitality in Transport Activities

　 　To enable the transport industry to provide efficient and stable services now and to continue such efforts in the future, it is necessary to revitalize it by reexamining various business regulations concerning transport. The private sector's energy needs to be introduced, wherever possible, into the field of transport.
(1) Promotion of industry by means of private sector's vitality
　 　The use of private energy in transport is based on the following concepts: 1) the privatization of public transport sectors; 2) the utilization of land owned by the JNR; and 3) the introduction of private funds into the development of facilities.
　 　Specifically, the Ministry has enforced or plans to enforce the following administrative measures in this regard: the transfer of Japan Motor Terminal Co. Ltd. to the private sector; research on the effective use of land owned by the JNR and sale of unused land by public tender; and the construction of the Kansai International Airport under a corporated system financed by the Government, Local governments and governments firms.
(2) Reexamination of regulations
　 　 Although regulations are necessary for transport activities to ensure safety and protection for users, these regulations are a means to achieve administrative objectives and should therefore be kept to a minimum. Bearing this in mind, the Ministry had drawn up various improvement plans and put them into action one after another. Of particular note is the deregulation of the consolidation measures in oceangoing shipping. In response to major changes in the socioeconomic situation concerning air transport, the Ministry plans to reexamine its present system. Studies are now under way at the Council for Transport Policy.

1. 2　Promotion of Computerization in Transport

　 　To promote computerization in the field of transport, the Ministry plans various comprehensive measures on the basis of deliberations at the Council for Transport Policy, including the development of mobile information systems, construction of data bases at traffic terminals, improvement of transport information systems, and formation of networks for such systems.

1. 3　Development of Transport Technology

　 　To promote the development of transport-related technology, including the introduction of high technology, efforts are being made in various fields of transport. These efforts include experiments in navigational aid using a satellite, the development of the highly reliable, computerized ship, a superconducting, magnetic levitation railway system and a small-scale, linear-motor subway system designed to reduce construction costs. (Fig. 3)

1. 4　Development and Utilization of Oceans

　 　It is vitally important for Japan to further develop and utilize the resources of oceans as new frontiers. We have to promote various projects for multi-face use of ocean resources, including the systematic development of the three major bays (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) and industrialization of offshore, artificial islands. At the same time, we have to further develop seaside recreation facilities.

1. 5　Development of Facilities for Traveling and Recreation Activities

　 　In the 21st century Japanese society will become further mature, and old age society and people have more leisure time. It is therefore necessary to create an environment in which they will be able to fully and easily enjoy their traveling and/or recreation activities. The Ministry plans to pursue a new tourist policy designed to strengthen cooperative ties among different categories of industries, such as travel agents, hotels, Leisure services and transport companies. Such cooperative ties are expected to produce a synergistic effect that cannot be achieved independently. The Ministry also plans to develop tourist information systems and recreation facilities at tourist resorts.