![[Fig. 55],](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig55.jpg){kind=link}
![[Table 9]](image/1994_p1_chap03_table09.jpg){kind=link}
![[Fig. 56]](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig56.jpg){kind=link}
![[Fig. 57]](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig57.jpg){kind=link}
![[Table 10]](image/1994_p1_chap03_table10.jpg){kind=link}
![[Fig. 58]](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig58.jpg){kind=link}
![[Fig. 59],](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig59.jpg){kind=link}
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![[Fig. 61],](image/1994_p1_chap03_fig61.jpg){kind=link}
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1. Improvement of international airport responding to demand on Japan
It is expected that Narita Airport located in the vicinity of the metropolitan
area will continue to play an important role together with Kansai International
Airport, to bear the considerable share of demand of international air transport
of Japan. It is one of the largest international airports in the world
[Fig. 55], nonetheless the capacity of facilities of Narita Airport is unsatisfactory
to respond to its situation. So expansion of the capacity of facilities including
construction of a new runway is keenly required.
[Table 9]
Accordingly, the "Narita Airport Symposium" and the "Narita Airport Roundtable
Conference" have been held since Nov.1991, and recently all the participants
at the conference accepted the opinion of the "Sumiya Study Group" and came
to an agreement. The confrontation was thus solved and Narita Airport problem
is proceeding to a new stage. The ministry will make full effort to improve
the Airport with a new point of view from the stand point of attaining co-existence
with the local community.
Even though the current restriction of capacity of international airports
is expected to be relieved for a while, particularly in the Kansai area by the
opening of Kansai International Airport in Sept.1994, the demand of international
aviation departing from and arriving at the whole area of Asia including Japan
is predicted to increase sharply hereafter and even if a new runway is constructed
in Narita airport, the situation of the capacity shortage may be worsened.
In order to respond to such a situation adequately, the Ministry is conducting
a survey to attain progress in the total concept of Kansai International Airport
based on "the 6th five year plan of airport construction" taking into account
the sound operation and smooth execution of the project, and also for the concept
of New Chubu International Airport, a comprehensive survey has been conducted
under consideration of future demand of air transport by cooperation of the
relevant bodies on subjects such as the relation with existing airports, profitability
and the cost bearing.
It is expected that a higher cost than that of the past will be required
for future construction of international airports responding to the predicted
increase of demand. Accordingly the saving of operation expenditures and finding
a source for the necessary funding for airport construction is becoming more
important for the purpose of strengthening the competitiveness of Japanese air
transport companies and maintaining the function of international hub airports,
so it is necessary to conduct research on these subjects.
As for the recent phenomenon of Japanese passengers travelling to Europe
or to U.S. through international hub airport located in the neighbouring countries/areas,
it is considered that such a trend is principally generated by the fare gap
and convenience of changing lines between Japan and foreign air transport companies.
Hence it is important for Japanese air transport companies to endeavour to improve
their international competitiveness through utilization of a new system of international
air transport fares and to improve the convenience of changing lines at international
hub airports in Japan.
It is deemed possible to provide sufficient facilities to respond to international
air transport demand in local areas if a network of international and domestic
lines in Kansai International Airport is formed through the above mentioned
effort. Hence the Japanese Government should consider the extension of aviation
services of foreign air line companies to local airports in taking into account
the utilization of Kansai International Airport. Nonetheless, internationalization
of local airports may contribute to the enhancement of the local economy, and
the desire of local communities for internationalization is strong. It is hence
advisable to consider extension services of foreign airline companies to local
airports if enough demand for air transport between such areas and the countries/areas
is expected.
2. Strengthening of competitiveness and fulfilment of service of Japanese
air transport companies
In view of the advantages for Japanese users and to secure national interest,
it is essential to continue to offer transport service by Japanese air transport
companies in the future. Hence it is necessary for Japanese air transport companies
to strengthen the basic operations and to offer air transport services attractive
to users. Also it is necessary for the Japanese government to provide desirable
conditions for the smooth execution of such measures to be taken by each company.
(1) Measures to be taken by air transport companies
It is necessary for each air transport company to take the following measures
while paying full attention to ensure safety.
(Shift of structure to lower cost operation)
It is necessary to assess every aspect regarding cost particularly on fixed
expenditure such as personnel expenses, and also to consign regular maintenance
work overseas and to employ foreign crew which contribute to shift expenditure
paid in Yen to foreign currency.
Also it is necessary to execute further applications of low cost operations
such as wet-lease and to extend the range of cooperative operation of business
between Japanese air transport companies.
(Improvement of profitability)
In the case of existing lines, Japanese companies fail to offer a sufficient
numbers of flights compared to foreign companies, it is desirable to improve
the convenience to users by increasing the number of flights or, if demand is
small, to operate a service line responding to demand flexibly through the application
of wet lease, utilization of intermodal transportation or application of a cord
sharing method. Also it would be effective to develop new demand through execution
of chartered flight operations for routes with no regular flights available.
It is necessary also to apply new marketing~ strategy such as CRS(Computerized
Reservation System) or FFP(Frequent Flier Program).
(Offering of adequate service conforming to user's need)
Regarding the service of air transport companies, to offer a cheaper and
more comfortable service has become more important to respond to the more sophisticated
and diversified needs of users.
Hence it is important to provide information to the users on the contents
and advantages of a new international air fare system introduced in Apr. 1994,
and also to develop attractive offers of travel plans utilizing this system.
For on-flight service, it is necessary to diversify the service according
to the type of route and user, and in some cases it would be necessary to simplify
the existing service.
(2) Improvement of circumstances by the Japanese government
The government should review existing regulations as follows while paying
full attention to the safety aspect:
(Assessment on regulations regarding to technology)
To review relevant regulations which contribute to the promotion of a signment
of periodic maintenance service overseas, and to promote of introduction of
simulators in practice examination for issuance of certificate of skill for
operation crew.
In addition, to examine the possibility of assessing existing regulations
or standards regarding the extension of the age limit of pilots engaging in
paid operation, to the work of operation crew and to the repair or remodeling
of equipment installed on the aircraft. (Assessment of regulations regarding
to form of operation)
To examine the possibility of relieving conditions by execution of wet leases,
intermodal transportation and code sharing. Also to examine the possibility
of relieving relevant regulations aiming at contributing to the efficient execution
of chartered flights such as to relieve restrictions of one-way charter to contribute
to the easier application of the fly-and-cruise plan combining aircraft and
passenger ship.
1. Promotion of foreign visits to Japan
Promotion of foreign visits to Japan is an important theme to encourage
international understanding of the economy and society of Japan and to establish
friendly relations between Japan and foreign countries.
However, foreign visits to Japan have been levelling off and stay at a lower
level compared to other countries in Asia owing to the strong Yen, the unsatisfactory
promotion of the sightseeing image in Japan and inconvenient circumstances of
travelling alone in Japan because of the language barrier etc.
To improve such a situation, it is necessary to take measures such as to
execute programs to support international sightseeing interchanges, to promote
personal visits to Japan by strategic offers of travel-related information,
to promote group tours to Japan through travel development based on adequate
marketing, and to substantiate an effective acceptance system for foreign visitors
through positive utilization of Japan National Tourist Organization under cooperation
with municipal corporations.
The promotion of international conventions plays an important role in establishing
international mutual understanding and friendly relations. Even though international
conventions are increasingly held in Japan in these days, the number of conventions
held by each city in Japan is far behind that of not only cities in Europe and
U.S.A. but also Asian cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong [Fig.
56]. It is necessary, therefore, to execute programs to promote international
conventions based on the "International Convention Promotion Law" approved and
enforced in June 1994, through comprehensive cooperation between the central
government, the Japan National Tourist Organization and municipal corporations.
2. Environment improvement to promote safe and comfortable overseas travel
To promote safe and comfortable overseas travel, it is necessary to examine
a way to improve the vacation, system, to offer attractive travel commodities
and also to improve measures to assure safety.
Particularly for accident or trouble while travelling overseas, cases caused
by lack of information on local affairs and by the language barrier are increasing
and hence a system offering information for travelers is an extremely important
theme. Travelers, on the other hand, should pay full attention to the local
social condition to avoid accidents or trouble.
Accordingly, reference materials such as video tapes and brochures offering
information about travel destinations or leaflets with English phrazes to be
used in the case of emergency are provided, and also improvement systems offering
information to Japanese travelers by tourist companies and aviation companies
lead by Japan National Tourist Organization is progressing.
[Fig. 57]
3. Realization of cheap and comfortable domestic travel
To encourage domestic travel at a time when there is a strong shift to overseas
travel owing to the feeling of lowered cost due to the strong Yen, lowering
the cost of domestic travel is an important subject. For this purpose, It is
necessary to provide discount rates of fares of public transport means, to improve
cheap accommodation such as MINSHUKU (boarding houses), pensions or public accommodation
and to promote the utilization of these facilities.
4. Improvement of vacation system
In Japan, the current number of days of vacation per head is considerably
less than that of Europe and U.S.A. [Table
10] and time to take leave is concentrated in a particular period. In Order
to enjoy a fully satisfactory and relaxed vacation trip, has become an important
subject and ways to improve the vacation system are being studied such as systems
of "acquisition of a long vacation" or "dispersion of vacation timing (acquisition
of vacation at any time)".
Hence, under the cooperation of the relevant authorities, taking into account
the overseas system, the Ministry of Transport is currently examining ways to
realize the expansion of vacation days and to disperse its acquisition, and
also organizing promotion conferences on "fulfilment of comfortable vacations"
comprised of experienced and knowledgable persons and economic circles.
1. Construction of international ports and harbors in consideration of
user's convenience
(1) Basic direction of major ports and harbors in Japan to move forward
The service level of ports and harbors in Japan is rather unsatisfactory
compared to ports and harbors in foreign countries regarding both service and
facilities such as the depth of container terminals, yard space for importation,
loading systems and the charges of ports and harbors etc. As the importance
of Japan in East Asia has become comparatively lower, it is increasingly of
concern that the arrival of depot ships engaging in basic service route to ports
and harbors in Japan may decrease.
If the number of the arrivals of depot ships decreases, it is feared that
this will seriously affect the international competitiveness of our relevant
industries owing to an increase in the cost of transport as a result of the
necessity of transshipment, longer time will be required for transport which
as a consequence may cause spoil of quality of cargo. Also the smooth importation
of foodstuffs and manufactured products which should increase in the future
may be impeded.
Hence it is necessary to improve the services available for cargo to be
directly exported overseas and to be directly imported from overseas so as to
ensure the arrival of depot ships at ports and harbors in Japan.
Furthermore, to bear a share of transport and play a role in the international
physical distribution network, it is necessary for Japan to respond adequately
to trend of cargo transshipment in neighbouring countries.
(2) Construction of facilities responding to structural change of physical distribution
For the purpose of ensuring the arrival of depot ships and as a consequence
to improve quality of life of Japanese people and to secure the international
competitiveness of Japanese companies, it is necessary for ports and harbors
in Japan to construct or install the following facilities taking into account
the structural changes of physical distribution.
(a) Construction of import-oriented facilities
Keeping abreast with the increase of import container cargo, it is necessary
to construct import-oriented container terminals with a width 2 to 4 times wider
than conventional terminals. Also it is important to construct comprehensive
import terminals providing not only facilities for storage, cargo handling and
processing for distribution but also facilities to offer information located
next to existing foreign trade terminals for the smooth handling of import cargo.
In consideration of such a situation, the construction of Foreign Access
Zones (FAZ) is proceeding in combination with the construction of import-oriented
ports and harbors at Kobe and other areas based on the "Temporary law to stimulate
imports and to attract foreign investments" approved in March 1994. It is necessary
to actively take such an approach hereafter.
(b) Construction of facilities responding to the trend towards the introduction
of larger container ships
It is necessary to upgrade the standards of container terminals in Japan,
where facilities are relatively behind those in ports and harbors in the neighboring
Asian countries and areas, to conform to the trend of introduction of much larger
container ships in major sea lines. Hence facilities with high level of standards
with a water depth exceeding 14m, 300-350m long wharfs and wider yards are under
construction in main ports and harbors such as in Kobe, Yokohama and Tokyo where
main liners arrive, and it is necessary to promote the program actively.
On the other hand, with the decentralization of production and consumption,
the amount of containers handled in local ports and harbors is steadily increasing.
Nonetheless construction of container terminals in local ports and harbors is
not yet sufficient and hence it is necessary to promote the construction of
facilities responding to the situation.
(c) Construction of facilities contributing to efficient transshipment
The transshipment of containers in Japanese ports and harbors is facing
problems of congestion on portside roads and lowered efficiency of handling
cargoes caused by loading containers in a transverse direction. Therefore, it
is necessary to proceed with construction of portside roads and to take measures
to improve the efficiency of transshipment through construction of terminals
to serve both for oceangoing ships and for domestic sea liners, refering to
cases overseas such as Singapore. [Fig.
58]
(3) Upgrading service level
(a) Improvement in cargo handling system
In major ports and harbors in Japan, cargoes are generally not handled on
Sunday at present, but it is necessary to examine the possibility of Sunday
operation refering to overseas situations from the viewpoint of relieving complaints
of consignees of cargoes and shipping companies so as to maintain arrivals of
major liners. Hence those engaging in harbor operation such as the Japan Harbor
Transportation Association and the dock workers trade unions are actively negotiating
on the subject of Sunday operation. In addition, it is important to introduce
new types of cargo handling machines for further improvement in efficiency and
labor saving.
(b) Revision of harbor related charges to a reasonable level
Since harbor related charges in Japan are at higher level compared to foreign
countries/areas, it is necessary to take measures to revise and lower them to
an adequate level. At present, cargo handling fees, wharf charges and pilotage
fares each take a considerable share in harbor related charges [Fig.
59], hence it is necessary hereafter to improve the efficiency of cargo
handling, to attain labor saving, and to an develop information system on the
whole harbor related operation, as well as to review funds to construct wharfs
for exclusive use. As for the pilotage system, it is also necessary to review
the charge system and to take active measures to improve the efficiency of pilotage
operation.
2. Construction of international airports as bases of international physical
distribution
As the amount of international air cargo transport is increasing dramatically,
consignees and physical distribution operators require more strongly the execution
of adequate measures to ensure smoother cargo handling such as prompter services
of custom and quarantine clearance, facility construction and improvement of
Narita Airport, and the utilization of Kansai International Airport for the
purpose of relieving the centralization of cargo at Narita Airport. [Fig.
60]
It is considered that location of Narita Airport on the outskirts of the
metropolitan area is the main cause of concentration of international air cargo
at present. Hence it is necessary to endeavour to expand runway capacity and
to construct or expand cargo handling facilities in the airport.
The opening of Kansai International Airport in September 1994 is highly
appreciated by customers for its 24 hour operation and the service of custom
and quarantine clearance [Fig. 61],
and it is estimated that international air cargoes particularly in the Kansai
area and the western part of Japan will shift there. It is also expected that
the new airport will play an important role as a base of international physical
distribution in Japan including the eastern part of Japan such as the Tohoku
region and Hokkaido from now on since it provides cargo handling facilities
with extra large capacity and links international and domestic lines.
As for local airports, it is necessary to promote their utilization extensively
through development of air cargo transport demand by the introduction of chartered
flights and improvement of conveniences for domestic shipment.
Also it is important from the viewpoint of assuring smoother distribution
of imported air cargo by construction of Foreign Access Zones (FAZ) at RINKU
town (opposite the seashore of Kansai International Airport island) etc. which
are to be located near international airports based on the "Provisional law
governing the increase of imports and smoother domestic investment".
3. Strengthening of competitiveness of Japanese oceangoing shipping companies
and improvement of their service
Japanese oceangoing shipping companies that own Japanese marine fleets are
now facing a severer business environment due to harder competition with other
Asian shipping companies and the sharp rise of the yen continuing from last
year.
Nonetheless it is necessary to ensure stable and low-cost cargo transport
for the economic growth of Japan and for stabilization and improvement of the
lives of the Japanese people. It is necessary to maintain and improve the system,
which strengthens the international competitiveness of Japanese marine fleets
centering on vessels with Japanese nationality and also provides a high-quality
and stable transport service, through following measures:
(1) Measures aiming to strengthen international competitiveness
The operating profits of Japanese oceangoing shipping companies were forced
into a siharp decline due to the yen hike. To cover this plunge in profit, they
cut various costs such as general administration costs and transport costs,
as well as transfering the administration sector to overseas, employing foreign
crews to ships with Japanese nationality, making payment in dollars through
utilization of overseas shipbuilders, and making transport contracts in yen
etc . While an inclcease in flagging out is feared due to the stronger Yen,
it is also important to take measures to maintain and improve vessels with Japanese
nationality by proceeding consultation between relevant bodies to review the
further application of mixed nationality crews on board and by providing financial
support for construction of ship with Japanese nationality.
(2) Offering of transportation service responding to structural changes in demand
and conforming to customer needs
Even though Japanese oceangoing shipping companies have been trying to promote
multimodal transportation services in order to meet the more sophisticated requirement
of consignees, by extending their business to railway and truck transportation
overseas and the constructing of container terminals, such capital expenditure
is a burden, and therefore, it is necessary to promote further efficient operation
and rationalization.
It is necessary for the Ministry of Transport to negotiate with countries
enforcing restrictions on Japanese oceangoing shipping companies and Japanese
freight forwarders to relieve such impediments so that these Japanese companies
can extend their business activities in such countries.
In addition, in response to structural changes such as shifts in demand
of cargoes from Japan to NIES and other Asian countries/areas, it is necessary
to provide an operation system of liner service for cargoes leaving from and
arriving in Asia, to review unprofitable sealine operation, to establish the
global network by cooperating with overseas maritime transport companies, and
to review the transportation system of trampers.
Furthermore, the need for higher speed transportation is expected to increase
in coming years as the physical distribution of Asian countries and areas becomes
more active. Even though the Techno Super Liner as a new type of extra high
speed vessel, which is currently at stage of R&D, has not yet been perfected
as regards economic efficiency and the required construction of relevant facilities,
it is expected to be utilized as a new high speed transport service if these
problems are solved and the vessel becomes applicable for practical use.
1. Increasing importance of the role of Japan in international cooperation
As a nation with the second largest economy whose GNP reached 15% of the
world economy, Japan is responsible to positively contribute to global peace
and stability, and hence Japan is enthusiastically promoting further qualitative
and quantitative improvements for international economic cooperation. In June
1992 "Japan s Official Development Assistance Charter" was provided to clarify
basic rules and concepts for execution of ODA and the 5th mid-term target of
ODA was provided in May 1993 setting a target of expenditures at 70-75 billion
dollars (compared to 50 billion dollars in the 4th mid term target) for the
period covering 5 years from 1993 to 1997 for further repletion of ODA by the
Japanese government.
2. Importance of transport in international cooperation
The establishment of an efficient transportation system and promotion of
sightseeing, through construction and improvement of infrastructure facilities
such as railways, airports and ports and harbors, is essential for developing
countries to improve the standard of life, to promote regional areas, and to
develop the economy as well as to construct or to improve economic infrastructures
such as electricity utilities and communication networks.
However, developing countries are not furnished with the satisfactory basic
facilities of transportation due to a shortage of funds and technology, and
accordingly quite a number of their requests for cooperation or aid are being
submitted to Japan who has sufficient funds and a high level of technology,
and the Ministry of Transport is positively executing international cooperation
in the area of transport responding to such requests.
3. Diversification of needs on international cooperation
The needs of international cooperation in the area of transport have tended
to become diversified in recent years.
In addition to requests for cooperation in the hardware category such as
the construction of basic facilities of transportation, cooperation as regards
such service categories as management and the operation of facilities, measures
to privatize the public sector and education of human resources are becoming
more important. As international cooperation in the area of environment protection
is increasingly becoming more important concerns on global problems of the environment
strengthen, and accordingly cooperation programs to lower transport pollution
and to prevent marine contamination are being executed.
For cooperation regarding safety, there has been positive cooperation from
the viewpoint of preventing transport accidents and to save human lives which
does not only contribute to regions where there is such cooperation but also
to secures safety for Japanese travelers and residents there.
4. Execution of international cooperation putting priority on Asia
Aid from the Japanese government to developing countries has been given
mainly in Asia, and thus it has greatly contributed to the rapid economic growth
of NIES and ASEAN.
While the economic linkage between Japan and other Asian countries/areas
has been stronger in accordance with the economic growth there, it is desirable
to continue economic cooperation mainly in transport infrastructure construction
since construction or improvement of the basic transport facilities cannot meet
the increasing demand for human transport and physical distribution which causes
traffic jams which impede the development of the economy to some extent.
Following Asian economic growth, the mood to attain healthy economic activities
and well-balanced economic growth of the Asia and Pacific basin area as a whole
has been strengthened. In the field of transport, cooperation to establish transportation
systems and the promotion of sightseeing is being carried out through conferences
of cabinet members of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) countries/areas
etc.
In addition, responding to the decision to establish the WTO office for
the Asia and Pacific region (tentative name) in Japan at the 10th general assembly
of WTO (World Tourism Organization), preparatory procedures are proceeding to
open the office in Osaka.
There are some assertions that repletion of aid to Asian countries may rather
cause a depression in domestic industries in Japan and lower further the international
competitiveness of Japanese airports and ports and harbors. Nonetheless, not
only is economic growth of Asian countries essential for the stability of nations
and peace of the region, but also progress in construction of transport infrastructure
attained by the aid of the Japanese government is expected to strengthen the
economic power of Asia as a whole including Japan and as a consequence it is
considered to contribute to the economic growth of Japan.
For regions including Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, it is necessary
to strengthen international cooperation efforts as much as possible. Furthermore,
for countries in Eastern Europe as newly listed recipients of ODA, it is necessary
to extend cooperation in such categories as modernization and rationalization
of physical distribution, which are required for transition to the market economy,
and sightseeing which effectively acquires foreign currencies.
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