Summary of the FY1991 Report On Transport Economy

1. Basis of Traffic Policy for the 90's

　 (1) Dealing with Restrictions Affecting Domestic Transport
a. Restrictions have arisen in recent years affecting the supply of transport services. These restrictions include environmental problems such as global warming and energy, advancements in aging of the population and labor shortages in transportation.
b. As Japanese people's awareness rises and diversifies, they are demanding faster and more comfortable transport services.
c. It is important to supply comfortable transport services that take recent restrictions and changes in awareness into consideration. These services should utilize public transport facilities to the maximum, be energy-efficient, and have a minimal impact on the environment.
　 (2) Dealing With Advancements in Internationalization
　 　 It is necessary to deal with Japan's advancing internationalization through strengthening the domestic infrastructure. This includes the establishment of an international air network, the establishment of facilities for handling international air cargo, and further developing international tourism.

2. The Structure of the Domestic Transport System

　 (1) Structuring a Trunk Route Passenger Transport System
　 　 It is necessary to establish a high-speed rail network, through the speeding up existing rail lines and adding the construction of New Shinkansen lines. Construction at the Tokyo International Airport and the Kansai International Airport should be continued and the domestic air network should be developed further.
　 (2) Construction of Urban Transport Infrastructure
　 　 It is necessary to construct new urban rail lines and to build four-track lines in order to allay congestion in commuting to work and school. It is also necessary to further standardize demand for transport through increased staggering of commuting times.
　 (3) Measures for Developing Rail Infrastructure
　 　 The enormous finance required for establishing rail infrastructure. Therefon, it is required to make the most requires the use of funding systems such as the Railway Development Fund, which was established in October 1991.

3. The Development of Transport Policies to Cope With Internationalization

　 　 Further development of international air network is required through construction of the New Tokyo International Airport in order to handle an increase in demand from international passengers. Infrastructural improvement is also required in the establishment of air and sea port facilities, in order to cope with structural changes to Japanese imports and exports.
　 　 This includes establishing international aircargo handling facilities and port and harbor facilities including a comprehensive import terminal, It is also important to develope two-way international tourism in order to promote mutual understanding.