Ports and Harbours in Japan
index 1. General Appendix

2. Port Development and Management system

2.1. Overview

2.1.1 Port and Harbor Law

Japan's ports and harbors are developed, managed and operated in accordance with the "Port and Harbor Law" enacted in 1950. Under this law, all aspects of the development, management and operation of individual ports are entrusted to the local public organizations as port management bodies that autonomously manage these facilities as one aspect of local management.

In terms of foreign and domestic trade distribution, however, ports and harbors are vital to the economic base of an island country. The Japanese government is therefore involved in the development of port and harbor facilities, bearing partial expenses for or subsidizing these activities. In return, port management bodies are required to guarantee that these facilities are open to the public and operated fairly, while the government assesses the port development plans formulated for major and specially designated major ports by these management bodies. Moreover, the Port and Harbor Law has been revised repeatedly to ensure that it is suited to the latest port conditions.

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