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As Japan is increasingly internationalized and growing more information-oriented and diversified, demand for ports and harbors is getting more advanced and diverse. It has thus been called for that in ports and harbors a harmonious coexistence is achieved among the three elements, that is, distribution, industry and people's life. As a whole, "multifunctional and integrated port areas," where advanced and diverse functions can be performed, should be created. Efforts to realize this objective have steadily been made through the following measures:
In accordance with the seventh five-year port and harbor development program, projects are undertaken to reinforce container terminals for foreign trade (Fig. 23) and unit load terminal's for domestic trade with a view to forming networks of transport. Various other port and harbor facilities are also upgraded. In addition, new laws regarding the utilization of the private sector's vitality, revitalization of urban areas and development of tourist resorts will be enacted, while a system of comprehensive development projects of port and harbor functions will be created. Under this system, the Japan Development Bank and other financial institutions will invest in and offer loans to these development projects. And the energies of the private sector will also be made the most of to improve various port facilities. (Table 9) In addition, to reflect the idea of "creation of multifunctional and integrated port areas" on the project of each port, the Ministry of Transport plans to revise the Fundamental Policies for Development, Utilization and Conservation of Ports and Harbors and Development of National Important Waterways, which serves as the basic policies for port development projects. In particular, the development of the districts facing the Tokyo Bay is getting much attention. Work has been done to revamp the Master Plan of Ports Development in Tokyo Bay Area, which defines the basic direction of comprehensive utilization of spaces of each port in the Tokyo Bay.
Of late, people's demand for better waterside spaces is rapidly increasing.
In ports and harbors, efforts are continued to develop waterside green belts,
artificial beaches, marine museums, port towers and other facilities for enjoying
waterside environments. At the same time, to meet rising demand for marine recreation
activities, the creation of marinas and other bases for these activities is
being promoted.
In addition, in answer to demand for new space development in coastal districts,
studies are continued as to the possibility of constructing offshore artificial
islands for the promotion of general use of marine areas.
Other planned projects include the "Phoenix Plan" for building diked waste disposal
area in offshore areas.
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