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As the 2lst Century approaches, Japan is faced with great changes both
at home and abroad, making it necessary to reform its economic and social structures.
The government has reviewed the administrative mechanism and system, and decided
to create ~the Ministry of National Land and Transport as part of the reorganization
of central government agencies to promote comprehensive, efficient administration
meeting contemporary requirements.
A major theme in future transportation policy based on a new viewpoint is
the issue of global warming. Massive consumption of oil and other fossil fuels
has led to growing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which
cause global warming. Transportation is one of the major sectors contributing
to global warming. It is necessary for us to reconsider excessive dependence
on trucks and private cars as well as our lifestyles.
Japan is now aging faster than any other country in the world. It is a fact
that by the beginning of the 2lst Century, Japan will have an unprecedented
aged society with fewer children. Furthermore, disabled persons are increasingly
emphasizing their subjectivity and independence and positively participating
in social activities to realize their identity, as society pursues the concept
of "normalization" or equality between disabled and other people.
Market forces or transportation businesses' voluntary efforts alone cannot
promptly solve the global environmental issue and the problem of barriers to
disabled persons in transportation systems. The government and businesses must
increase their level of cooperation in order to cope with these problems, while
seeking understanding and help from a wide range of people. This will be a key
challenge in the future development of transportation administration.
Annual Report on the Transport Economy (White Paper on Transport) features
Part 1 describing "Transportation Policy based on a New Viewpoint." Chapter
I of Part 1 discusses a new comprehensive transportation policy that must be
developed in the future. Chapter 2 describes the global warming issue that must
be addressed on a global scale and discusses future countermeasures in the transportation
sector. Chapter 3 discusses the efforts to develop safer, more convenient transportation
services to remove barriers to disabled persons toward the approaching aged
society with fewer children.
*provisional translation
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