Chapter 7 New Developments in Shipping, Shipbuilding and Measures
for Seafarers
Section 1 Efforts to Revitalize Maritime Transportation
As for the oceangoing shipping industry, the Ministry of Transport has been
expand-ing the international ship system * to enhance competitiveness (Figure
55). It has also been working to establish new system to revitalize and to
enhance competition for domestic passenger transportation services and stevedoring
services at ports and harbors, as well as the domestic shipping industry for which
interim measures was introduced to replace the capacity adjustment scheme.
Section 2 Toward More Attractive Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery
Industries
The Ministry will promote the revitalization of research and development as
required for developing the shipbuilding and ship machinery industries into an
attractive sector meeting social needs, including the supply of advanced ships
that are necessary for increasing the efficiency of maritime transportation. It
will also step up measures to help small and medium shipbuilders and ship machinery
builders that have been seriously affected by the domestic shipping depression
(Figure 56).
Note : Under the system, Japanese-flag vessels are deemed important for ensuring
stable international transport by sea and considered as "International Ships".
Some related tax is reduced, with a prior filing to the Minister of Transport
regarding the transfer of its registry to foreign countries.
Section 3 New Developments in Measures for Seafarers
In efforts to expand the international shipping system for
oceangoing ships, the Ministry has introduced a practical education and training
system for young Japanese seafarers and created a system to allow overseas-qualified
seafarers to work on Japanese ships as officers. It is also promoting measures
to keep younger seafarers in the coastal shipping industry, which is confronted
with the aging of seafarers, and help those seafarers losing their jobs upon
completion of bridges between Honshu Main Island and Shikoku Island.
The Ministry is also trying to improve the education and training of seafarers
and promote their shorter working hours and disaster prevention measures.
