Chapter 5 Development of Railway Transportation Meeting Needs of People

Section 1 Promotion of Railway Development

　 　　The Ministry of Transport is stepping up the construction of new shinkansen bullet train lines, based on the December 1996 agreement between the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as well as a January 21, 1998 report by a government-LDP committee on new shinkansen lines (Figure 50). In order to allow faster transportation between urban regions, ease congestion in urban regions and promote a modal shift, the Ministry is subsidizing projects to increase transportation speeds on existing railway lines (Figure 51), develop urban railways, modernize rural railways and expand railways for freight transportation (Figure 52).

Section 2 Expansion of Railway Transportation Services

　 　　The Railway Division of the Council for Transport Policy issued recommendations on June 15, 1998, regarding measures to lay the groundwork for the abolition of demand/ supply adjustment regulations in the railway sector. In November 1998, the Railway Division of the Council for Transport Technology presented its recommendations on future railway technology administration. The Ministry has been encouraging transportation service businesses to devise fare systems that contribute to improving the convenience of passengers and service efficiency. It has also taken such measures as the development of comfortable railway station facilities and rolling stock to enhance passengers' convenience.