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(1) International Environment Changes
(A) Advancement of globalization
With the advent of the era of global mega-competition, many people are concerned
about the hollowing-out of the Japanese industry caused by its high-cost structure.
It has therefore become increasingly important to enhance the strength and competitiveness
of our economy.
At the same time globalization has further increased interdependence among
nations. As a result, it is important for us to make our economy more universally
open, including foreign companies. Also, we are required to actively participate
and cooperate in the making of international rules so that Japan can contribute
to the development of the world economy.
(B) Problems to be addressed on a global scale
Economic activities have expanded on a global scale, with the significance
of borders further decreasing. At the same time, the world is confronted with
serious problems concerning population, environment, and food shortage. More
people have come to recognize that these problems need to be addressed on a
global scale.
Of these problems, urgent response is particularly called for to deal with
global environmental issues, such as global warming.
(2) Domestic Environment Changes
(A) Shift to a highly mature economy
After WW II, Japan achieved remarkable development, mainly by introducing
technology from abroad and putting it to practical use. This "catch-up" stage
is now complete and Japan has become one of the dominant economic powers of
the world. In the future, Japan will be pressed to become a highly mature economic
society with the ability to create new original technology which would bring
new development to the country.
(B) Diversification of the public's awareness and sense of values
As the economy matures, the public's awareness and sense of values have
become diversified, and more emphasis has been placed on achieving a rich mentality
. However, it has often been pointed out that there is a wide gap between economic
growth and people's perception of affluence.
(C) Arrival of an aging society
Japan is rapidly moving toward an aging society. It has become an important
task to build the social systems suitable for such a society and to prepare
the environment which will enable us to move smoothly into a rich and reliable
aging society.
(D) Sophistication of information communications
It is expected that advanced information communications will radically change
the flow of information and goods, raise industrial productivity, and create
new industries and new jobs.
As people's awareness and sense of values become diversified and more
sophisticated, the industry is expected to provide more diversified, less expensive,
and more sophisticated transport services.
Trains in metropolitan areas are still very crowded, and this is one of
the reasons why people do not feel affluent in proportion with the nation's
economic strength. We should continue to promote measures for relieving congestion.
While Japan is rapidly approaching an aging society, there are growing demands
for an environment in which the handicapped can be more self-reliant and can
more actively participate in society. It has become increasingly important that
such people be able to use public transport systems safely and easily.
We should take measures to ensure local public transport systems, such as
buses and passenger boats, as the means of transportation for residents who
are obliged to rely on these systems.
To vitalize regional economies and build an affluent community, it is essential
to strengthen relations among regions, activate interchanges and to expedite
the development of regional economies. For that purpose, domestic trunk line
networks should be improved and comprehensive tourist promotion programs should
be promoted.
Ensuring traffic safety is the cornerstone for transport administration,
and we should continue to promote safety measures.
It is also necessary to raise the earthquake-resistance of railways and
harbor facilities, secure alternative transport means, and to promote measures
for preventing and eliminating large-scale oil spills, so that we can effectuate
disaster-resistant transport systems.
We should pursue the development of original and innovative technology for the
purpose of improving the safety of transport systems, ensuring fast and smooth
movement of people and goods, and reducing the impact on environment.
Japan should build international hub airports and harbor facilities and
enhance the international traffic networks so that the Japanese economy and
society will maintain steady growth in the coming era of global mega-competition.
We should deal with individual economic issues promptly and adequately,
such as Japan-U.S. aviation and harbor transport issues. We should also review
existing standards, including automobile standards, to ensure they are in harmony
with international standards.
We should take further environmental measures for dealing with global and
regional environmental issues in the transportation sector.
Especially regarding global warming, it is now difficult for Japan to achieve
the target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It is therefore an urgent task
to take measures for reducing C02 in the transportation sector, which accounts
for about 20% of total emissions in Japan currently and where emissions continue
to increase.
We should provide the social capital necessary for efficient physical
distribution and on a priority basis. With the arrival of the era of global
mega-competition, neighboring countries are building international hub ports
and airports, and there is some concern about the declining international competitiveness
of Japanese ports and airports.
For this reason, it is necessary to construct international hub ports and
airports, strengthen the interrelat.ion of social capital, and eliminate bottlenecks
in physical distribu-tion systems.
It is necessary to rectify the high-cost structure of the Japanese economy
and create a vibrant business environment attractive to the world, implementing
new businesses and services in response to the diversified and sophisticated
needs in physical distribution.
For this purpose, we should expedite deregulation, reduce physical distribution
costs, and provide diversified and sophisticated services.
To achieve more efficient and sophisticated physical distribution, it is
necessary to use information communication technology more effectively and intensively,
and promote further standardization and technical development.
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