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1. Trends in Passenger Transport
(1) Domestic
The gross domestic passenger volume in FY1990 was 77.9 billion, an increase
of 0.9 % over the previous year. The gross number of passenger-kilometers was
I trillion 298.4 billion for the same period, a slight increase of 2.5% over
FY1988 and FY1989.
One of the driving forces of the present economic expansion is growth in
capital expenditure by private enterprise. The number of passengers traveling
increased in line with the a rise in the number of employees. However, the increase
was limited, due to a dramatic drop in transport by privately owned vehicles,
which accounts for more than half of all passenger transport.
In individual transport sectors, there was favorable expansion in Japan
Rail (JR) travel centered on types of non-commuters growth was similarly experienced
by private railway companies. Long-distance coach transport and hired coaches
experienced continued expansion, however there was a sudden slowdown in growth
in privately owned vehicles, and travel by chauffeur driven cars and taxis also
continued a downward trend. Air travel continued to expand, but at a slower
rate.
(2) International
In 1990 there was a large increase in the number of Japanese leaving for
travel overseas - the 10 million mark was broken, as the figure rose to 10 million
100 thousand. This is a reflection of favorable economic growth affecting individual
consumer spending.
However, the Persian Gulf War had an adverse affect on the number of Japanese
traveling overseas. As it intensified in February 1991, there was a drop of
323 thousand in people leaving the country - the largest decrease since travel
overseas was liberalized in 1954. The number of overseas visitors to Japan increased
by 400 thousand to reach an historical level of 3 million 240 thousand in 1989.
(1) Domestic
The gross domestic cargo transport volume in 1990 was 6 billion 776 million
tons, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year. The gross cargo ton - kilometers
continued to expand and recorded 546 billion 785 million for the same period,
an increase of 6.5%.
This growth was supported by expansion of investment in facilities supported
by individual consumption centered on the transport of manufactured materials.
In individual cargo transport sectors, there was favorable expansion particularly
centered on railway containers.
Vehicular transport was firm but expansion slowed down.
Maritime transport of construction-related cargo shifted from a high level
of growth to favorable expansion. Air cargo transport remained firm but the
rate of expansion dropped.
(2) International
The world economy continued to expand overall in 1990.
However, the pace dropped particularly in developed countries, and the overall
rate of expansion dropped. The overall expansion rate in Japan's maritime trade
volume (ton base) decreased, while the trend of increased imports and decreased
exports continued.(table4)
There has been favorable expansion in the number of passengers using rail transport. On March 19, 1991 the JR Narita Express commenced services and on June 20 the Tohoku - Joetsu Shinkansen link to Tokyo Station was completed. With the exception of private venicular transport, there was favorable overall expansion in passenger and cargo transport.(table5)
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