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The Japanese economy and society has been faced with various problems,
with the rapid changes in the environment both in Japan and abroad. The whole
government is striving to reform the economic and social system to create a
new one suitable for the twenty-first century, through the so-called "Six Big
Reforms" aimed at realizing a society in which each citizen is able to have
dreams and goals for the future and can fully demonstrate creativity and a spirit
of challenge.
The Ministry of Transport has also made utmost efforts to implement various
measures to achieve this purpose.
In December 1996, the Ministry decided to abolish in principle the regulations
on supply-demand control concerning transport businesses. At present, the Council
for Transport Policy is discussing measures to provide the necessary environment
for this change. With regard to physical distribution, the "Comprehensive Program
of Logistics Policies" was passed by the Cabinet meeting in April 1997, summarizing
specific measures for responding to the era of mega-competition and providing
internationally acceptable services. In addition, to deal with the issue of
global warming which has raised growing concern both at home and abroad, in
April 1997 the Council for Transport Policy prepared a report entitled "Addressing
the Problems of Global Warming in Transport Sector".
In view of this situation, this part of Annual Report on the Transport Economy
(White Paper on Transport) focuses on the necessary measures and efforts for
the transportation sector in today's drastically changing economy and society.
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