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1. Aiming at further development of maritime transport to improve the quality
of daily life
Japan's volume of maritime trade in 1992 decreased slightly from the previous
year, and the volume transported by Japanese vessels decreased by 0.7 % from
the previous year. Also, operating profits of companies engaging in oceangoing
transport in FY1992 decreased from the previous fiscal year. Moreover, conditions
are these days becoming more serious because of the rising exchange value of
the yen and the recession, and it is therefore necessary to make greater efforts
to improve operation and to stabilize operation of regular line services.
For the achievement of steady growth in the Japanese economy it is essential
to maintain a competitive oceangoing transport industry in which vessels with
Japanese nationality play an important role in providing reliable transport
capacity. Various measures to improve the competitiveness of vessels of Japanese
nationality and to maintain and implement ship construction are being provided.
These include investment by the Financial Investment Fund and the provision
of a tax preference scheme. Further study of necessary measures, such as a review
of the crew distribution, is urgently required.
On the other hand, in the oceangoing passenger ship business, the pattern
of passengers is shifting from chartered use by groups to individual passenger
use. The turning point was the commissioning of the large passenger ship, "Asuka,"
in November 1991. It is deemed to be necessary to provide measures to ensure
safe navigation and protection of users and to enhance readily accessible cruising
tours.
2. Realization of safe and comfortable maritime passenger transportation
In the maritime passenger transport sector, super-high-speed passenger ships
are being commissioned on various coastal lines, and installation of elevators
for elderly passengers on board is progressing. Further, a discount system for
the elderly is being introduced on some service lines. In long- and medium-distance
ferry service, it is necessary to augment transport capacity to accommodate
shifts among modes of transportation. For maritime routes serving isolated islands
with "essential transport services" for residents, the national government is
providing support in cooperation with local public institutions for service
operators seeking to improve management.
3. Improvement of coastwise and port transport business
Coastwise shipping is mainly performed by small and medium-size companies
and is structured so as to be extremely competitive. Hence, various measures
are being progressively implemented to support coastwise maritime transport
businesses based on structual improvement, including efforts to maintain necessary
crew levels. Attention has been given to a report provided by the "Council for
Rationalization of Shipping and Shipbuilding Industries."
For the port transport businesses, it is necessary to improve programs for
conversion to a more equipment-intensive industrial structure. Accordingly,
various measures are underway such as the construction of comprehensive import
terminals.
4. Fostering public understanding of Lauren affairs
July 20th has been designated "Commemoration Day of the Sea" for the purpose
of fostering understanding and knowledge about the importance of the sea. Various
events are held during the period from this day to July 31st, designated "Ten
Days of the Sea."
1. Issues and countermeasures in the shipbuilding industry
The Japanese shipbuilding industry is seeking long-term stability of demand
and supply and striving to make the industry attractive to both workers and
customers in response to changes in demand and the domestic labor situation.
In response to international developments, measures are being taken to reinforce
the fundamentals of the industry to ensure its health even with a strong yen,
and to promote international maintenance of order in the international shipbuilding
market and of global environmental issues.
2. Implementation of measures to support small and medium-size shipbuilding
companies
Small and medium-size shipbuilding companies are facing frequent problems
such as difficulties in recruiting young workers and sluggish demand for fishing
boats. The industry intends to implement policies to improve its structure based
on the "Ordinance on Acceleration of Modernization of Small and Medium-Size
Companies."
3. Implementation of policies for the vessel equipment industry
Aiming at reinforcement of basic structural features of the industry, it
intends to institute a research and development system, promote standardization
of equipment for vessels, enhance investment in automated equipment, improve
environment-related matters, and promote international cooperation.
The total number of seamen employed has been continuously decreasing.
The Ministry is providing subsidies for crew members losing their jobs, in accordance
with the international decrease in fishing vessels due to intentional fishing
regulations.
As for oceangoing transport, measures are being taken to assure employment
for Japanese seamen by supporting their transfer to foreign-registered ships.
Ensuring recruitment of young crew members in coastwise maritime transport,
is becoming an urgent subject. Relevant measures will be implemented in accordance
with a report provided by the "Conference to Study Problems of Labor Shortages
in Crewing of Coastal Shipping" regarding improved working conditions, etc.
With regard to the acceptance of foreign crew members, operation of ships
with crews of mixed nationalities is being sanctioned for oceangoing maritime
transport, passenger ships and high-seas fishing, with the consent of concerned
individuals and institutions. For modernization of the crew system, the P ship
(11 crew members) was classified as the 4th modernized ship in April 1993, and
Maru-ships with crews of mixed nationalities have been designated for modernized
ship systems. To accelerate the application of the system, an experimental project
was started in July 1993.
At school for seamen's training, curricula were shifted away from training
for oceangoing ships towards training for coastal navigation, and as a result,
the number of candidates increased. It is planned to keep up with the trend
to shorten working hours. We will continue to explore legal provisions setting
40 hours of work per week as the standard in accordance with the consultation
of Labour Relations Commission for Seafarers.
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