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This book is summary of the Annual Report on the Transport Economy (the
White paper on Transport) for fiscal 1989.
The Japanese economy, which survived two oil crises of the '70s and the recession
resulting from the yen's appreciation, has continued to expand smoothly over
the past two to three years. In these circumstances, the nation's economic and
social structures are rapidly changing.
In respect to Japanese national life, lifestyles have become increasingly
individualistic as human society has matured, and new lifestyles are taking
a firm hold country's industrial sector, too, newer industries manufecturing
high value-added products are developing, and the economy in growing quality-and
service-oriented, while an increasing number of businesses are finding it difficult
to secure adequate manpower to support the booming economy. Furthermore, as
a result of Japan's growing economic status in the world economy, we have entered
an age of fullfledged internationalization in terms of both national life and
industry. In this way, the development of Japan's relations with other countries
has shifted from processed goods trade to multifarious links based on people,
goods, capital and information. Such economic and social changes have brought
about a great variety of transport problems that need to be solved.
In Part 1 "Changes m the Environment Surrounding Transport and Future Problems,"
the report analyzes and reviews changes in the environment surrounding transport
in Japan and future problems with due thought given to the points raised in
the foregoing.
In Part 2, "Outline of Transptrt," the reptrt refers to the present situation,
the contents of measures and points at issue in various administrative fields,
encompassing the privatization of the Japanese National Railways, passenger
transport, the distribution of goods, aviation, ocean-going shipping, shipbuilding,
ports and harbors, tourism and recreation, international cooperation, and traffic
safety and environmental countermeasures.
We hope that this booklet is helpful to those interested in transport in
Japan.
Hitoshi Takashima
Director-General of the Research and Data
Processing Department,
Transport Policy Bureau,
Ministry of Transport
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