Collection of summaries of WAVE studies and research(Fiscal 1996)

October 1997

Waterfront Vitalization and Environment Research CenterFiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Communication

CoastalLocated only 49.5 km from South Korea,

Infrastructure

Hitakatsu Port, which plays an important role as athePlan for Hitakatsu Port

center for economic and cultural activities in(Fourth District Port Construction

northern Tsushima and as a fisheries base, is the

Bureau, Ministry of Transport;

gateway to northern Tsushima served by regular

NagasakiPrefectural

ferries to Kitakyushu City's Kokura Port. In order toKamitsushima

server large ships and domestic sightseeing ships inGovernment;

the coming years, a plan for offshore wharf

Municipal Government)

construction has been drawn up, and a small ship
"Aoshio" has been put into international passenger
service to and from Pusan Port, South Korea. Thus,
international exchanges with South Korea arebecoming increasingly active.
In view of the growing momentum, mainly in
local port improvement, for community building
taking advantage of the characteristics of the sea
and each port, a master plan for coastal community
1996

building integrated with the use of coastal waters,
including the redevelopment of the existing ferry
terminal area and the master planning for new
wharf construction and the formulation of a policy
for project implementation, has been drawn up, inorder to contribute to the revitalization of
Kamitsushima area and the town of Kamitsushima.
A vision for the future described as "A Road ofMarine Communication—Kamitsushima" has been
adopted, and the development of bases forcommunity life, hubs of transportation and centersof communication has been adopted as the central
theme of Hitakatsu Port development. Under theland use scheme, the Nishidomari area has been
positioned as a "break bulk cargo and fisherieszone"; the existing terminal area as a "multipurposezone" intended mainly for use as an event plaza; theexisting reclamation area as a "commercial zone"1

that takes advantage of the area's proximity to theurbanized area; and the Ajiro area as a "passenger
terminal/ferry cargo zone" consisting mainly ofjetfoil and new ferry terminals and large-ship
terminals. The existing terminal area, for example,
is to be used as the main venue of the town's
greatest festival "Oddon Matsuri." Thus, as atpresent, the area has been positioned as the mostimportant center of communication in the town inthe coming years. For this scheme, the importanceof the creation of such an event plaza has beenshown, and ideas have been developed about
nonstructural measures by which to encouragecommunication activities, such as nonstructural
tourism resources, dissemination of information,and public relations strategies.
For the purposes of the study, the project was
divided into two phases: the first phase, which isthe process that ends with the offshore relocation of
the ferry wharf to the Ajiro area, and the second
phase, which is the construction of wharves forlarge ships such as tourist ships. Two proposedplans with similar ultimate goals, Plan A, which
gives priority to the development of physicaldistribution functions in the first phase, and Plan B,
which gives priority to the development ofcommunication infrastructure, were compared, and
the

plan

givingprioritytocommunication

infrastructure development was adopted in view ofthe municipal government's basic stance. The study
concluded, however, that it might be necessary toswitch to Plan A depending on changes in timeschedule due to financial constraints or changes insocial conditions.

2Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Communication

CoastalLocated on the northeastern coast of Yakushima

Infrastructure(Yaku Island), Miyanoura Port has developed as athePlan for Miyanoura Port

port of shipment of yakusugi cedar and a base for(Fourth District Port Construction

inshore fisheries. Regular service ships to Japan's

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

main island, Tanegashima and Kuerabujima cameinto service in recent years, and Miyanoura Port isnow prospering as the gateway to the sea
surrounding Yakushima Island. The island has been
served by jetfoils since 1989, and the number ofvisitors traveling by sea reached 340,000 in 1994.
Port improvement efforts have been continued moreor less on a continual basis since 1953, in which theport was designated in 1953 as a "local port" under
the Port and Harbor Act, and so far a number ofprojects such as the construction of the quay wallon the right bank of the Miyanoura River have been
completed. Currently, the landward expansion of1996

mooring facilities for ferries and other ships and theimprovement of a waterfront road are underway.
Since December, 1993, in which Yakushima Island
was registered as a World Natural Heritage site
under the Convention Concerning the Protection of
the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, thenumber of visitors traveling by sea has increased
until

the

existing

facilities

arenoticeably

overloaded. There is a pressing need, therefore, notonly for safe and efficient mooring of a growing
number of regular service ships and appropriate
separation of passenger ships and cargo ships, butalso for the construction of facilities for handlinglarge sightseeing ships and cruising pleasure boats.
Miyanoura Port has as its hinterland the urban areaof Miyanoura City, the birthplace of the history andculture of Yakushima and a center of industries.
Because the port is very close to the city and3Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Village
Center has opened in the hinterland area andbecause there is also a scheme for a community
plaza called "Yakushimakan" (provisional name),the port itself is also expected to play a role as aplace for communication. There is a need,
therefore, the formulation of a master plan for
creating a unique waterfront community by making
effective use of a coastal water area with great
potential integrated with the shoreline and thecoastal area.
In this study, the present state was firstinvestigated, and a general future vision was
defined taking into consideration the wishes of thelocal community concerning Yakushima's port
improvement. In accordance with the basic
principles thus defined about the improvement of
Miyanoura Port, a basic scheme for developing
facilities such as Toppy (jetfoil) mooring facilities,
event plazas, parks, beaches, fishing boat basins
and various attractive facilities and ensuring safe
navigation was developed.

4

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Port Network in the

Setouchi-cho (town) located in the southern part

Southern Amami Oshima Areaof Amami Oshima Island consists of Takeshima(Fourth District Port Construction

main islands and three smaller islands, namely,

Bureau, Ministry of Transport;

Kakeroma Island, Uke Island, and Yoro Island. In

Kagoshima

Prefectural

the town, there are Koniya Port, which is managed

Government; Setouchi Municipal

by the prefectural government, and ten ports

Government)

managed by the municipal government. Because
the improvement of transportation facilities has
lagged behind and because multiple islands are
involved, daily activities of the islanders heavily
depend on marine transportation. There is strong
1996

public demand, therefore, for port improvement
such as improving aging port facilities, securing
shelters for ships and improving sea routes, andthere is a growing need for the improvement of port
facilities and sea routes to meet this demand.
In view of the above, in this study, problems of theports (11 ports) in the town were extracted from thewishes of local residents concerning ports and sea
routes, an improvement policy for local port
networking was formulated, and improvement
plans for the Sude area of Koniya Port and the Seso
area of Hyo Port (present-day Kakeroma Port) weredrawn up as proposals.

5

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Revitalization of the

Located on the Ariake Sea coast in the

Coastal Area of Miike Port

southwestern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, Miike(Fukuoka

Port, since its opening in 1908, has greatly

Prefectural

Government)

contributed to the satisfaction of energy demand inJapan and to the local industries and people's lives
as a port of shipment of coal from the Miike mine
and a key port for the hinterland centered aroundOmuta City.
In 1951, Miike Port was designated as animportant port, and in 1971 the Fukuoka Prefectural
Government became the manager of the port.
However, because of the increases in the use ofalternative energy sources that began in the second
half of the 1950s and the changes in industrial
structure over the years, the ports have gradually
declined and the local economy has been sufferingfrom a long depression.
In March, 1997, the Miike mine shut down. Since

1996

miningandrelatedindustries

are

of

vital

importance to the residents of Omuta City, there is apressing need for the revitalization of the region
including the promotion of alternative industries tomake up for the loss of the coal industry.
The decreases in the volume of coal-related cargo
shipment resulting from the closure of the mine candeteriorate the management of Miike Port and caneven threatens the existence of the port, it isnecessary to take appropriate measures to protect
the port as the gateway to the Omuta area and an
important port.
Positioning Miike Port as a key element of theinfrastructure for revitalizing the Omuta area,
therefore, this study aims to clarify the problems
related to the use of the port and the necessity ofmaking effective use of Miike Port as a key port in6

the eastern Ariake area and define the direction inwhich Miike Port should be headed and a menu offacilities to be provided.

7

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Import

The northern Kyushu area has been closely related

Promotion

Infrastructure of Hakata Port

to East Asia historically and geographically. The(Fourth District Port Constructionrole of this area as part of the Yellow Sea Rim

Bureau, Ministry of Transport;

Economic Zone has increased in recent years, andPort and Harbor Bureau, Fukuoka

the volume of international container shipment

Municipal Government)

handled at the ports in this area is increasing much
faster than the national average. Under thesecircumstances,theMinistryofTransport

formulated a long-range port policy (Ports to
Support the Age of International Exchange) toindicate a basic policy for international marine
container terminal development, positioning thenorthern Kyushu area (ports in northern Kyushu:
Hakata Port, Kitakyushu Port, Shimonoseki Port) as
key international port areas along with the threelargest port areas (Tokyo Bay, Osaka Bay and Ise
Bay areas) in which international trade functions
1996

are concentrated.
The increases in the volume of import container
cargo have been particularly noticeable at the ports
in the northern Kyushu area in recent years, andthis tendency is likely to continue. The volume ofimport of containerized goods handled by the ports
in the northern Kyushu area has increased
dramatically in recent years, and this tendency is
expected to continue at a certain rate. The volumeof import of containerized clothing-, food- andhousing-related

goods

is

likelytoincreaseconsiderably in the coming years.
In view of these circumstances surrounding theinternational movement of goods, following thedesignation of Kitakyushu Port and Shimonoseki
Port as "foreign access zones," efforts are underway
at these ports to improve physical distribution
infrastructure. At Hakata Port, there is also a8pressing need to upgrade logistic functions forimported cargo by making the most of thecapability of the high-standard container terminal
being constructed in the Kashii Part Port area.
This study took a brief look at the actual state ofinternational economic activities, considered what
international logistics should be like in order torealize a port capable of handling imports, andconsidered the direction of efforts to create aninternational logistic base in the Kashii Park Port
area and a desirable form of public–private
cooperation.

9

Fiscal year
Study

when

Study outline

study wasconducted

Study on the Conceptualization of

In a study conducted in fiscal 1995, the state ofa Seaway for Lively Exchange

exchange and communication of the Sea-of-Japanand Communication

coast areas with other areas in Japan and other(First District Port Construction

countries was investigated through a questionnaire

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

survey and interview surveys of local public bodies(e.g.,

prefectural

governments,

municipal

governments, management associations) in the
Sea-of-Japan coast areas, and a basic concept for aseaway for lively exchange and communication
was proposed.
1996

This study was conducted to analyze the results ofthe preceding study and identify concrete measuresthat can be taken to create a seaway for lively
exchange and communication. To be more specific,
the study proposed concepts and policies for aseaway for lively exchange and communication, thedirection of activities, exchange activities in Japanand abroad, the creation of places for exchange andcommunication, and activities of the Council forthe

SeawayCommunication

10

for

LivelyExchangeand(established in November, 1995).

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Sea-based Exchange

FundedbytheBudgetfor

Coordinating

and Networking

Comprehensive National Development Projects,(Third District Port Construction

this study was conducted as a joint study by the

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Construction,
the Fisheries Agency and the Ministry of Heath andWelfare.

Inthestudy,

therefore,

the

four

government agencies focused on ports and harbors,coasts, fishing ports, and health and relaxation,
respectively.
While

the

new

Comprehensive

Development

Plan

is

being

National

implemented,

interregional exchange and networking are being
expected to play an important role toward the goalof"creatingaregionallydiversified

andindependent country supported by interregional
cooperation and independence." A scenic inland sea
with many islands, the Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai)
1996

from olden times has been a scene for sea-based
exchangebyserving

as

a

major

seaway,contributing to the creation of many port towns.
Withabundant

natural,socialandculturalresources, the Seto Inland Sea has played a key rolein creating coastal industrial areas during the periodof rapid economic growth. In recent years,
however, there has been concern about a possible
decline in the vitality of the region because of thechanges in the movement of people and goods intheregion,thedegradation

of

the

water

environment, and the hollowing out of thesecondary industries. In the areas other than major
cities, particularly in island areas, depopulation andthe aging of society have become serious problems.
There are strong calls, however, for regional
revitalization efforts based on exchange andcooperation with other areas and cities, and there is11

a growing need for promoting the development offacilities under an organically coordinated scheme
for allocating appropriate roles to different areas.
In view of these circumstances, this study was
conducted to further develop the concept of"sea-based exchange and networking" in the"sea-based interregional exchange and networking"scheme, foster the budding regional exchange andnetworking efforts in the Seto Inland Sea area inrecent years, clarify the future outlook ofmulti-faceted exchange and networking making
effective use of the sea in the Seto Inland Sea area,
and identify measures to be taken to improve public
facilities as part of a new networking infrastructureneeded to achieve these goals.

12Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Networking in the

The three prefectures constituting the Joshinetsu

Joshinetsu Area

region,(First District Port Construction

Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, have long been

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

regarded as separate areas. The Joshinetsu region,

namely,Gunma

Prefecture,

Niigatatherefore, has not necessarily functioned as a single
region.
Currently, the improvement of the high-speedtransportation

network

inunderwayintheJoshinetsu region. It is becoming highly likely,
therefore, that the region will assume an importantrole as the central part of the axis of the country andas a node between the Sea-of-Japan coast region
and the Tokyo metropolitan area, and that a large
economic region taking advantage of regional
potential including geographic conditions, nature,industry and culture will be formed throughinterregional networking.
1996

It is therefore important for the three prefecturesof the Joshinetsu region to determine theirrespective roles, strengthen their cooperative
relationship so that the three prefectures can form a
coherent region. An important thing to do toachieve this goal is to make the movement of goods
and people in and outside the region more active
and create an independent society.
This study, which was conducted as part of a joint
study undertaken by the National Land Agency, theMinistry of International Trade and Industry, theMinistry of Transport and the Ministry ofConstruction
Coordinating

fundedbytheComprehensive

Budgetfor

National

Development Projects (study category), focused on
subjects to be dealt with by the Ministry ofTransport. This study was conducted with the aimof getting a whole picture of the Joshinetsu region

13and, in coordination with the studies undertaken byothergovernment

agencies,

drawingupacomprehensive development plan for the port andairport infrastructure and tourism and recreation
facilities and other facilities that serve as thefoundation for regional networking.
This is the second year part of a two-year study.

14

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Regional Networking in

The Akita and central and south Iwate area is

the Akita and Central and Southblessed with vast expanses of land and natural

Iwate Area

resources has great potential for development.
Port

However, because the development of high-speed

Construction Bureau, Ministry oftransportation infrastructure has lagged behind,Transport)

little exchange and communication has been made(SecondDistrictacross the prefectural borders and the potential of
the areas has not been used effectively. In recent
years,

astheinfrastructureforhigh-speedtransportation in the east–west direction, in addition
to the north–south direction, has been improved
considerably through, for example, the opening andimprovement of the Kamaishi–Akita Route of the
Tohoku Expressway the opening of the Akita
Shinkansen in March, 1997, the area is entering a
new era of development.
Under these circumstances, if the east–west
1996

transportation system in the area is improved, theimproved system can be used to expand thehinterland of each port. In addition, an improved
east–west transportation system can be used as akind of land bridge in order to make regionallyintegrated use of ports for the transportation of, forexample, containers for international transportation
and unit loads for domestic transportation andenhance the spirit of cooperation among the ports
located over a large area. Furthermore, theutilization

of

the

high-speedtransportation

infrastructure including railways makes it possible
to promote a variety of coastal water recreations
such as boating and promote the formation of avariety of regional tourist routes, in coordination
with the infrastructure development mentioned
above, by using abundant natural, historical andcultural resources in the inland areas so as to15

promote interregional exchange and networking.
Under this background, this study was conducted
for the purpose of drawing up a comprehensive
regional development plan for developing the entire
region by enabling the areas with diverse
geographic characteristics such as coastal areas,inland areas and mountain areas located in theregion extending from the Sea of Japan to the
Pacific Ocean to perform different functions andcooperate with one another.
This study identified various problems andchallenges that need to be addressed in order torealize the possibilities mentioned above, such asincreasing and securing origin/destination cargovolumes; improving inland logistical hubs toachieve that goal and nonstructural measures tosupport international trade and goods movement;
andupgradingvariousmeasuresforclosercooperation between coastal areas and inland areas
to promote wide-area tourism and various exchange
activities that start from or end at the Pacific Oceanside or the Sea-of-Japan side and that connect
together the eastern and western parts of the region.
Under

the

main

theme

of

exchange

andcommunication mainly in the areas of goods
movement and tourist recreation, this study also
drew up a comprehensive plan for achieving closer
networking between the coastal areas and the inland
areas and between the Pacific Ocean side and the
Sea-of-Japan side in the region and achieving andstrengthening

theintegrityoftheregionconstituting the central part of the Tohoku region.

16

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Basic Study on Port Functions for

Following the formulation of a master plan for

the Improvement of Fukui Port

Techno Port Fukui, the port plan to be implemented(Fukui Prefectural Government)by 2000 was revised in 1989 to meet the changing
conditions such as the diversification of businesses
located at Fukui Port. Under the revised plan, thefunctions of the port as part of the industrial
infrastructure that supports the Fukui Coastal
Industrial Area and the port's logistic functions arebeing improved by, for example, facilitating traffic
to and from the hinterland. At the same time, green
spaces are being created to make the port more
people friendly.
Although the public port facilities in the port's
north area have been nearly completed, the volume
1996

of cargo handled by the port has not increased as
expected because of the changes in socio-economic
structure. It is therefore necessary to take corrective
measures urgently to promote the use of Fukui Port.
This study investigates the actual state of goods
movementinthehinterland,

identify

port

improvement problems by analyzing the causes ofthe slowdown in the increase in the volume ofcargo handled by the port determined throughquestionnaire

andinterview

surveysoftheindustries located in the hinterland, and develop
measures for upgrading the port functions andnonstructural measures for attracting cargo to theport in order to make effective use of facilities,
make investment more effective and make betteruse of the port.

17

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted
Community"Under the rapidly changing socioeconomic

Planning Scheme for the Shinkiba

conditions, the Shinkiba area has now come to aAreaturning point."(Koto Ward Office)With this basic understanding, the Koto Ward

Study

on

the

Office established the Shinkiba Area Future Vision
Conference in 1995 and has been deliberating on
the direction in which community planning efforts
in the Shinkiba area should be headed. The
1996

conference recommended that a phased, systematic
approach be taken to community planning and thatland use conversion and redevelopment measures
be taken.
This study identified concrete goals to be achieved
and methods for achieving them so that thepotential of the Shinkiba area, which is blessed withenvironmental conditions, can be utilized to thefullest.

18

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Yokohama Port

There is a plan for integrated development of the

Urban Waterfront Redevelopment

urban waterfront area of Yokohama City. The planPlancalls for implementing the Minato Mirai 21 Project,(Yokohamaaugmenting the business functions of the Kannai

Municipal

areas and the Yokohama Station area andGovernment)

developing the Yamauchi Wharf, Yamashita andShin Yamashita areas along the waterfront.
1996

This study considered ideas for the redevelopmentof the Yamauchi Wharf area located in the urban
waterfront area, functions to be introduced,
infrastructure components and ideas for project
implementationconsistency

with

while

tryingupper-level

to
plans

maintainsuchasYumehama 2010 Plan and the Yokohama BusinessCore City Scheme.

19Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Port

Located in the eastern part of Tottori Prefecture,

Revitalization

Methods for Tottori Port

Tottori Port developed as a hub port in the(Port and Harbor Division, Public

prefecture's eastern economic zone including

Works

Tottori City. In April, 1975, Tottori Port was

Department,

Tottoridesignated as an important port under the Port andPrefectural Government)

Harbor Act. In March, 1976, the Port Plan for
Tottori Port was formulated, and port improvement
was carried out in accordance with the plan. In
April, 1986, some of the quays in the Sendai area
went into service, and in March, 1990, a 10-meter
berth went into service to enable to accommodate
large ships.
It has been a short while since the facilities of
Tottori Port were substantially completed, so they
are not known widely. Although the Tottori
Prefectural Government, the Tottori Municipal
Government and the local industries have been
1996

promoting the use of the port, the volume of cargohandled by Tottori Port has not increased mainly
because of the prolonged depression since thebursting of the economic bubble, the relocation of
production facilities to other countries and thechanges in production and distribution structure.
Today, Tottori Port is beginning to play animportant role as a logistical hub for internationaland domestic trade in sand, gravel, stone, heavy oil,fluted inner sheet, etc. In September, 1996, theimport of river sand by use of gravel carriers
capable of carrying 10,000 tons (dry weight) ofgravel began, and the volume of cargo handled by
the port is gradually increasing. The improvementof the arterial transportation network such as theconstruction of the Tottori Route of the Chugoku
Expressway

isexpectedtostrengthen

theconnection to the Hanshin region so that the use of20

the port as a logistical hub for that region increases.
Taking major industrial trends into consideration,
this study analyzes the cargo movement trends inthe hinterland of Tottori Port including the Hanshin
region and specific trends in the physicaldistribution systems for cargo in the manufacturingindustry and the transport industry moving to andfrom the hinterland area, identifies the cargo thatcan be handled by Tottori Port, and considers
concrete methods for promoting the use of the port.

21

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Tobi Port Hinase

In recent years, there has been growing publicArea (Kakui Island) Development

interest in ports, and there have been calls for portPlanprojects that not only improve port functions but(Okayama

Prefectural

also create integrated coastal space with aGovernment, Hinase Municipal

well-balanced combination of port functions andGovernment)

city functions.
Because the town of Hinase is flatland poor, thedevelopment of the town has been achieved bycreating land space made possible mainly byreclamation.
Land shortage, however, remains a problem, andthe creation of land space necessary for thedevelopment and improvement of various facilities
is likely to be a big challenge for the town's efforts
in the coming years to create a community withvitality.
1996

From olden times, fishing and shipping industries
have thrived in the Hinase area, and passenger ships
and ferries have been used extensively for trips
between islands. The port, therefore, is directly
connected to people's daily lives, and port
improvement is essential in community planning.
Under these circumstances, bridges to connect
Japan's mainland to Kakui Island and KashiraIslandarecurrently

underconstruction

forcompletion in 2010. These bridges will greatly
enhance the potential of the town and the port.
In view of this background, this study focused on
the improvement plan for Yonago Bay and also on
the improvement plans for the adjacent Hinase andNakahinase areas with the aim of creating acommunity with vitality and promoting thedevelopment of Tobi Port.

22

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Formulation of a

A major port in Japan with a 2000-year history,

Long-range Scheme for Hakata

Fukuoka Port is continuing to evolve as the driving

Portforce behind the development of its hinterland and

(Port

and

HarborBureau,is attracting attention as a hub for the movement of

Fukuoka Municipal Government)

goods and people and for culture.
As the world economy becomes increasingly
borderless,environmental

problems

becomeincreasingly global and people's values increasingly
diversify, Japan, which is entering an age of fully
mature society, must not only change conventionalframeworks but also coexist with the international
community while maintaining vitality and achieve
1996

harmonious development through creative andcharacteristic local efforts. The importance of ports,
therefore, as nodes between the sea and the landand between cities and nature and as hubs for theexchange of people, goods and information isincreasing.
In this study, in view of this background, a seriesof discussions was held by the Committee for the
Study on the Formulation of a Long-range Schemefor Hakata Port. The committee considered a future
image in around 2025 of Hakata Port formed taking
into account the socio-economic conditions and abasic direction of improvement required to make ita reality.

23

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Formulation of a

Because Shimoda Port (Takegahama–Sotogaoka

Port Improvement Scheme forarea), which is the area of interest of this study, is

Shimoda Port (Takegahama Area)

close to an urban area, the port area is spatially(Shimoda

important. Therefore, there are already many

Municipal

ongoing schemes and plans that are being

Government)

implemented. The Shimoda Port Marine Town
Project Plan formulated in 1990 specified the
Sotogaoka area as an improvement priority area,
and a concrete plan has been drawn up. For the
Takegahama area, however, no such plan has beendrawn up because there are large tracts of1996

privately-owned unused land. A study needs to be
conducted, therefore, for concrete planning andproject implementation.
In this study, in order to obtain basic data neededto draw up a concrete plan for Shimoda Port
(Takegahama area), existing upper-level and relatedplans involving Shimoda Port (Takegahama area)
were reviewed, a scheme for a project for
improving the Shimoda Port Takegahama area wasdrawn up by coordinating it with the existing plans
mentioned above and holding intragovernmental
deliberations, and problems to be addressed inorder to implement the project.

24

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted
Port

Because Kure City has developed around a port,

Takaramachi Area Development

the creation of coastal space that can meet diverse

Implementation Planneeds of the 21st century is an important challenge(Port and Harbor Department,

for the city.

Kure Municipal Government)

Aiming

Study

on

the

Kure

to

Sea-interfaced
1996

createthe

SetoCommunication

Inland

Sea

Urban

Area

following the designation as a regional core city,
Kure City is creating bases for lively activities in
the Takaramachi area, which is part of the local
core area in Kure's regional core city area as a city
coexisting with the sea and is Kure City's gateway
to the sea.
This study focused on the implementation plan forthe development of the Takaramachi area.

25

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

MarinoBridgeBecause Kure City has developed around a port,(Provisional Name)the creation of coastal space that can meet diverse(Port and Harbor Department,

needs of the 21st century is an important challenge

Kure Municipal Department)

for the city. Among the proposed plans, thedevelopment of Aga Marino polis, which isdesigned to promote interregional communicationand cooperation as a logistic hub in the Hiroshima
Central
1996

Techno

polis

area

and

createanenvironment full of vigor and tenderness as a place
for marine recreation, and the construction of the
Marino Bridge (provisional name), which is toconnect

totheHigashi

Hiroshima–Kure

Expressway, a high-standard road designed toenhance logistic efficiency and convenience, areessential.
In this study, the benefits of the Marino Bridge(provisional name) construction project were
calculated, and its routing was considered.

26

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Improvement of

In Toyama Prefecture, the Fushiki Toyama Port

Nakajima

Renaissance 21 Study was launched in 1987, and

Lock

at

Fushikiefforts have been made to redevelop Toyama Port.

Toyama Port
(ToyamaIn

Prefectural

1990,

a

basic

designofenvironmental

improvement in the channel upstream of theGovernment)

Nakajima Lock was developed, and its construction
is currently underway.
In this study, in order to restore the functions of
the aging Nakajima Lock, basic designs of lockimprovement and of a green space in theuncompleted part of the green space, which was
positioned as a water event zone in the Port
Renaissance 21 Study, were prepared, and a scheme
for the Kohjin site adjacent to the lock, which was
positioned as a key space in the Port Renaissance
21 Study, was developed. The study area consists ofan upstream part and a downstream part of the
1996

green space in the Nakajima Lock area and along
the Fugan Canal area; the upstream part is the area
where the environmental improvement work thatwas being carried out from upstream down has notbeen completed and the downstream part is the area
consisting of a 3-hectare area leading up to Route 8
in the water event zone defined in the Port
Renaissance 21 Study and the Kohjin site adjoining
the lock.
The Nakajima Lock is located near the midpointof the Fugan Canal. Built 60 years ago, the lock has
deteriorated considerably to the extent of being
unable to function as a lock. Since, however, thelock itself is an invaluable structure reminiscent of
the days in which the lock was built, it is hoped thatthe lock is preserved and its functions are restored.
With "the creation of attractive canal space
making effective use of scenic landscapes featuring

27

abundant water and rich greenery and of historical
heritage" as a guiding principle, this study aimed topreserve and beautify the Nakajima Lock, thenatural stone revetments that still retain theirappearance at the time the lock was completed, andthe natural features such as the rows of cherry trees.
To this end, this study considered various measures
including the improvement of the Nakajima Lockand the creation of a lock museum for storing andexhibiting lock parts, promenades, small plazas,
planted areas, fish ways, etc., in the Nakajima Lockarea; and the creation of promenades, waterside
terraces and piers, arbors, flower-viewing plazas,
viewing platforms, parking lots, etc., and thecreation of amenity-oriented waterside space andcanal landscapes where people can enjoy historicfacilities such as the Nakajima Lock and the naturalstone revetments and the rows of cherry trees in theareas upstream and downstream of the Nakajima
Lock.

28

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study for the Onahama View Port

Onahama Port is known as one of the major

Project (Color Scheme)

international trade ports in the Tohoku region.

(Fukushima

Aided by "new industrial city" designation,

Prefectural

Government)

Onahama Port has developed greatly as anindustrial port as a major industrial area has been
formed in its hinterland. With the addition of thefishery port function and the development ofmarinas,OnahamaPort

hasbecomeamulti-functional port.
In view of these remarkable developments, efforts
are being made to enhance logistic functions by, forexample, improving the capability to handle
containersforinternational

anddomestictransportation. In addition, the Port Renaissance 21
Study conducted in 1992 and the port plan revisedin 1993 called for the creation of hubs forcommunication by the redevelopment of aging Pier1996

1 and Pier 2 areas and the creation of apeople-friendly port as important goals.
Needless to say, in order for citizens to enjoy the
port-specific environment, it is necessary to
improve landscapes and port accessibility inaddition to the improvement of communication
hubs. In 1995, therefore, a Study for the Onahama
View Port Project was conducted with the aim ofidentifying concepts and concrete measures forlandscaping in the coming years. In the study, theconcept for the landscaping of Onahama Port was
defined as "creating a landscape harmoniously
combining the dignity of nature and a shapecharacteristic of an industrial port," and various
systematic measures were identified.
Because of a pressing need in connection with theongoingefforts,

this

study

explored

requirements and considered specific criteria.

29

color

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Planning Study on Rivers and

The land in the area considered in this study,

Canals in the Keihin Coastal Area

which is part of the Yokohama Port area in the(Yokohama

Keihin coastal area, is occupied predominantly by

Municipal

Government)

industrial plants. This is an area where the change
in manufacturing industry structure often describedas the hollowing out of industry began to appear
conspicuously and where the reconsideration ofland use structure is being called for to cope withthese social conditions and structural changes. In
order to meet these social needs, a master plan for
the redevelopment of the Keihin coastal zone wasdrawn up prior to this study. The purpose of thisplanning study is to identify methods for drawing
up and carrying out a development master plan for
the river and the canal specified in the land use
reform master plan.
The river and the canal specified in the plan are
1996

located in an area closest to the land area and thebuilt-up area that were industrialized early in theprocess of industrialization of the Keihin coastal
area. Because of these site conditions, theredevelopment master plan positioned this area as azone where measures are to be taken so that land isconverted from purely industrial (manufacturing)use to complex land use including not only
manufacturing facilities but also research, businessand commercial facilities. Because the canals cameinto being as a result of reclamation that began in
the second half of the 1920s, canal-related
structures such as revetments have deteriorated
considerably. In addition, because the flow rate of
the influent river (Irie River) is small and the canalisnarrow,thestagnation

of

water

causesdegradation of water quality. This zone, however, isclose to the land area and the built-up area and to30

the Minato Mirai 21 Area, which is the gateway of
Yokohama Port, and is conveniently located fromaccess from urban areas. From the viewpoint of the
opening of the waterfront to the public, therefore,
the zone has great land use potential.
In view of the nature and positioning of the zone
in which the river and the canal are located, the site
conditions of the river and the canal, and thecharacteristics of their use under upper-level plans,
the goal of river and canal improvement was
defined as "creating a stage for 'waterfront andwater surface' that supports the communication
between and the coexistence of new industrial
activities (businesses) and new water-related leisureactivities (citizens)," and the development masterplan was drawn up accordingly.
In order to carry out the proposed development
plan, not only public development methods but also
methods for providing assistance for revetment
rehabilitation, landscaping or other projects carriedout by local businesses were also considered
because considerable portions of river and canalrevetments and space over revetments are privately
owned, and problems to be solved for project
implementation were identified.

31

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Basic Study on the Introduction

The Techno Super Liner (TSL) research andof TSL at Sakata Port

development program ended when comprehensive(Yamagata

Prefecturalexperiment results were obtained in fiscal 1995,

Government)

and the TSL scheme entered the practicalapplication phase.
The Ministry of Transport compiled the BasicSpecifications for TSL Operation based on theexperiment results and in 1996 conducted theComprehensive Study on Assistance for theCommercial Operation of TSL. In the study,
interregional model routes were selected, and theconditions for commercial operation, problems tobe addressed, etc., were studied in detail.
Infiscal1994,

the

Yamagata

Prefectural

Government conducted the Preliminary Study on
Sakata Port TSL Routes to evaluate the feasibilityof TSL introduction at Sakata Port mainly from the
1996

viewpoint of demand. As a result, the study
concluded that TSL introduction was possible andrecommended that the Kinki region be targeted.
The

study

also

recommended

theSakataPort–Maizuru Port route, but pointed out that there
were many problems to be addressed in view of theexisting physical distribution systems. In 1994,
there were still many things to be clarified such as
requirements for TSL, but the subsequent technicalresearch clarified such matters as the operating
conditions and cargo-handling methods.
In view of these circumstances, this study
determined TSL transportation demand in the
Sakata Port area, identified requirements for theprovision of transportation systems and logistic
functions,andconsidered

methods

fortherealization of commercial operation. In the study, as
the first step, recent trends in efforts for the32practical application of TSL were reviewed, and theitems that can be transported by TSL and thehinterland area were identified. Then, the volume ofpotential TSL cargo handled at Sakata Port wasdetermined, and TSL transportation demand wasestimated by determining the volumes of cargoshipped by the shippers and carriers located in thehinterland area and their intention as to whether or
not they would use TSL. Finally, requirements fortransportation systems and port improvement at
Sakata Port were considered, and matters related tocommercial operation were considered.

33

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Hitachinaka PortThis study considered a basic policy for the

Projectmanagement system for Hitachinaka Port as a

(Port and Harbor Division, Public

whole in preparation for the partial opening of the

Works

north

Department,

IbarakiPrefecture)

wharf(domestic

shipping

wharf)

ofHitachinaka Port at the end of 1998. In the study,
information on existing management systems in
Japan
1996

and

abroadwascollected,

andaquestionnaire survey of port users was conducted.
Thus, the usefulness of the system was evaluatedfrom the viewpoints of port managers and port
users. At the same time, basic requirements for aport management system compatible with a port
information network likely to be introduced infuture were identified, and basic matters to bereflected in the management system development in
the subsequent years were studied.

34

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Master Planning for

Focusing on the facilities of the north wharf

International

international transportation container terminal that

Transportation

Container Facilities

will go into service in fiscal 1999, this study(Hitachinaka Port and Urban

estimated the volume of cargo to be handled,

Construction

selected the cargo-handling method to be used,

Office,Ibarakidetermined the terminal layout and the magnitude

Prefectural Government)of each facility, and estimated business revenue andimprovement cost.
1996

In the study, plans were developed for threestages, namely, (1) the start of use, (2) the firstphase of improvement and (3) the second phase of
improvement,

for

more

efficientfacility

improvement planning. As the basic principles ofplanning, "24 hours, 365 days a year" and"automation of operations" were adopted in order tocomplete a container terminal with advanced port
service capability.

35

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on TSL Service at Kushiro

Techno Super Liners (TSL), which have beenPortdeveloped under the supervision of the Japanese(Kushiro Municipal Government)

government since the second half of the 1990s, aresuper-high-speed cargo ships designed for safe
navigation even on rough seas. A TSL has a cargoload capacity of 1,000 tons and is capable ofnavigating at 50 knots (93 km/h) and for a distanceof more than 50 nautical miles (930 km). The
introduction of TSL is being awaited as a new modeof transportation that solves emerging problems
such as the shortage of truck drivers, traffic
congestion and environmental degradation andenables

a

modal

shift

from

cargo

truck

transportation to marine transportation.
The introduction of TSL in the Kushiro area will
make it possible to travel to the Tokyo metropolitan
1996

area in half a day. The creation of a new physicaldistribution system using TSLs can be expected togreatly

contributetoregional

revitalization

including industrial revitalization and businessattraction. In May, 1992, the Association for
Attracting Techno Super Liner, a public–private
association, and the association has been actively
engaged in petitions and other organized activities
for TSL attraction.
In order to attract TSL to Kushiro Port, this study
focused on operation methods, facility plans,
problems and the direction of efforts with the aimof obtaining data necessary for the realization of
TSL service at Kushiro Port on the basis of thestudy results on the demand for TSL service in theKushiro and its hinterland areas obtained from the
TSL Feasibility Study conducted in fiscal 1995.

36

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Improvement of PortIn view of the changing conditions surrounding

Management

the ports in Japan, it is necessary to become more

(Administration Division, Ports

business- and service-minded than in the past inand Harbours Bureau, Ministry ofportTransport)

example, gaining a correct understanding of

improvement

andmanagement

by,

for

economic and physical distribution trends and userneeds and having users understand reasonable costs
to bear while trying to achieve effective port
improvement and cost reductions, in order to theJapanese ports internationally competitive.
In Japan, too, there have been efforts to improve
port services by, for example, maintaining or
strengthening the international competitiveness ofports in Japan, reducing port charges and clarifying
the rationale for charge calculation as can be seenfrom recent events in Japan including:•Changes in the Basic Policy for the Development,
1996

Use and Maintenance of Ports and the Developmentof "Waterways to Be Developed and Maintained"(Article 3-2, Port and Harbor Act),• Recommendations on Ports and Harbors Based on
Administrative Inspection Results (Management
and Coordination Agency) and• Movements toward the enactment of the Act on
Access to Information Held by Administrative
Organs.
In this study, therefore, various basic information
was collected, prior to a study on requirements forcharges of port authorities in Japan, by, forexample, conducting fact-finding surveys on fee
structure adopted by major ports in other countries,
and key considerations in determining the directionof more specific studies were identified.
This study was conducted by the Committee on
Improvement of Port Management chaired by Mr.

37

Katsuya Uga, professor of law at the University ofTokyo.

Figure 1

38

Scope of this study

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Port Greening Plan

Port green spaces constitute one of the main

(Environment Division, Ports andcategories of port environmental measures and areHarbours Bureau, Ministry of

positioned, together with the conservation andTransport)

creation of the marine environment, the creation of
excellent port landscapes, the improvement ofpublic accessibility and the preservation of historic
property, as part of the important port environment
infrastructure. Port green spaces have attractive
attributes that are distinctively different from theattributes of inland parks and green spaces such as
1996

amenity-oriented quality and landscape quality.
Consequently, design approaches to the layout andmagnitude of port green spaces differ considerablyfrom those for urban parks. In this study, in order tomeet the public demand for port amenity and create
environment-friendly ports (ecoports) with a fullunderstanding of these characteristics of port green
spaces, desirable port green spaces were clarified,
and the contents of port greening plans to be drawn
up when port plans or port environmental plans areformulated or revised and a planning method to be
used for such planning were presented.

39

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Effective Use of Clean

In recent years, there has been growing interest in

Energy at Ports

effective use of the so-called clean energy as a

(Machinery

Division,Third

means of tackling the problems related to theDistrict Port Construction Bureau,

depletion or conservation of energy resources andMinistry of Transport)asaglobalenvironment

challenge

for

all

humankind. Research and development efforts areunderway in related fields to make effective use of
not only natural energy that is clean and locallyavailable such as solar radiation and light, wind
power and wave power but also urban waste heat
energy and unutilized energy, and technologies toutilize these kinds of energy are gradually being put
to practical use.
Under these circumstances of the time, energy is
an important theme for ports, and it is necessary to
conduct research not only on orientation toward
1996

energy saving but also, over a long period of time,on the utilization of new energy sources. Clean
energy is still accompanied by various problems
that need to be solved if it is to be put to practicaluse, such as problems related to the quantity ofenergy that can be generated, cost, and the selectionof suitable applications. Nevertheless, clean energy
is worth paying attention to as one of alternative
energy sources needed in the near future.
This study considers ways to introduce clean
energy existing in the space between the sea and thecoastal zone as an energy source necessary for the
management of port facilities and make effective
use of such energy. On the basis of the basic study
and the fact-finding survey conducted in fiscal
1995, in 1996 mainly case studies were conducted
and model layouts were considered in order toimplement a practical system.

40

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Methods for Creating a

The Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake of 1995 made

Safety Space Network in thepeople recognize anew the necessity of emergency

Tokyo Areatransportation routes, places of refuge and shelters,(SecondDistrictPortemergency activity bases, etc. In trying toConstruction Bureau, Ministry ofstrengthen earthquake damage mitigation measures

Transport)

in large cities, it is necessary to systematicallydevelop facilities related to disaster prevention
activities. The Tokyo area including Tokyo Bay andits hinterland has a high concentration of key
management functions, and if these functions are
stopped or delayed, the entire country or even theinternational community is likely to be influenced.
The development of facilities, therefore, is great.
Funded by the reserve fund for comprehensive
1996

national development projects for fiscal 1995 and1996, this study was conducted jointly by the
National Land Agency, the Fire Defence Agency,
the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry ofConstruction with the aim of identifying measures
to be taken to create a safety space network in theTokyo area.
In the study undertaken by the Ministry ofTransport, disaster prevention functions that shouldbe performed by emergency activity bases at ports
to help ensure the safety of local residents and port
users and transport people and goods in the event ofan emergency were identified, and requirements forthe size and layout of emergency activity bases andrequirements for the networking of emergency
activity bases were considered.

41

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Methods of Determining

Calls are being raised throughout the country for

the Size of Port Green Spaces

the creation of opportunities for enjoying leisure(Fifth District Port Construction

time that has increased as a result of shorter

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

working hours and the development of high-quality
amenities as part of the living environment. In order
to meet such sophisticated public needs, efforts
have been made in waterfront areas, too, to achieveenvironmental improvements taking advantage ofthe characteristics of each waterfront area. Further
improvements of port green spaces in both quantityand quality are particularly being sought after as
spaces where people can enjoy the waterfront andport environment safely and comfortably.
Needless to say, port green spaces not only serve1996

as places where people can enjoy water-related
recreation activities. Port green spaces also have avariety of other functions such as forming scenic
port landscapes, maintaining the basic environment
directly affecting people's health and forming an
emergency activity base taking advantage of thecharacteristics of a port green space as a node
between marine and land transportation networks.
The aim of this study is to roughly identify
requirements for efficient and effective sizes andlayouts,

taking

into

considerationthemultifunctionality mentioned above and paying
attention particularly to use by people, and develop
planning indicators that can be used to facilitate
port green space development planning.

42

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Emergency Activity

In Japan, there are many active faults in proximity

Base Development in the Ise Bay

to plate boundaries. Because of these conditions,Area

many great earthquakes have struck the country(Fifth District Port Construction

since the dawn of history. In the days when cities

Bureau, Ministry of Transport)

were not so densely populated or built up as today,
earthquake damage used to be relatively light. As
cities began to be densely populated and built up
with the arrival of the modern age, earthquake
damage became increasingly severe until it became
1996

devastating to houses, urban infrastructure andindustrial infrastructure, making it necessary tomobilize many rescue/relief personnel and securelarge quantities of relief goods urgently.
This study identifies the roles of ports in the eventof an earthquake from the experience of the
Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake of 1995, develops abasic plan for emergency activity base developmentin the Ise Bay area, considers methods foradministering the plan, and discusses the challenges
to be faced in the coming years.

43

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Gathering

The Tomari Wharf area of Naha Port has longSpacedeveloped as a nodal port, and today the area is theDevelopment
Division,gateway to adjacent islands for many users. In

Construction

recent years, however, the port facilities including

Department, Okinawa General

the passenger terminal have deteriorated andBureau)become obsolete, making the area less attractive as(Port

Planning

Development

the gateway to adjacent islands. Because the area isclose to the central urban district of Naha City, the
role

of

the

Tomari

Wharf

area

as

an

amenity-oriented coastal space for Naha City is
being reconsidered, giving rise to a pressing needfor the redevelopment of the entire Tomari Wharfarea.
In view of these circumstances, in 1986 and 1987
the port authority (Naha City) conducted the Naha
Port Tomari Wharf Port Renaissance 21 Study, amaster plan for the redevelopment of Tomari
1996

Wharf. Under this master plan and other plans, in1989 Tomari Wharf Development Company wasestablished as a third-sector company, and in
December, 1992, the construction of the terminalbuilding "Tomarin" began. Later, the constructionof a memorial park, artificial ground, parking
buildings, etc., also began, and in April, 1995,
Tomarin opened as the first phase of the Tomari
Wharf redevelopment project. Naha City plans tostart the second phase of the Tomari Wharf
redevelopment project, but because of the tightfinancial conditions, the city is not yet ready to start
the second phase. Although similar projects
utilizing private-sector vitality are underway at
Hirara Port and Ishigaki Port, but these projects,
too, are faced with various problems.
This study estimates and analyzes problems
related to the development method used for44

Tomarin, which went into service as the first phaseof the Tomari Whart development, and otherdevelopment-related problems and the economic
and social benefits of the development project, andidentifies and analyzes utilization-related problems.
The study results will be used as the basis for thesubsequent stages of Tomari Wharf redevelopment
and as reference data for the private sector initiative
projects at Hirara Port and Ishigaki Port.

45

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Methods

ofToday, Japan is faced with many problems such as

Development of Domestic Cargo

labor shortage, environmental problems, road

Terminals

congestion and energy problems. In the area of

Designed

forIntermodal Transportation

long-distance mainline transportation, the so-called(Planning Division, Ports andmodal shift from trucking to more efficient means

Harbours Bureau, Ministry ofofTransport)

transportation and rail transportation, has becomemasstransportation,

that

is,

marinean important issue.
This study is a basic study on the configuration ofa nationwide network of domestic transportation
terminal capable of meeting the intermodal
1996

transportation requirements that is considered
realistic from the viewpoints of users (shippers andtruck carriers) and shipping companies. In the
study, the combined transport network models (atransportation mode selection model for shippers
and truck carriers, a shipping route selection model
for shipping companies) developed in fiscal 1995
was applied to the nationwide network. The study
showed that the models are capable of accurately
reproducing the volumes of cargo transported
between 11 blocks in the country by mode oftransportation and the volumes of domestic unitload cargo at 10 ports in the country by block.

46

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Direction of Port

• In order to identify concepts of port spaceSpace

Development

forutilization applicable to import (particularly, theImproving

theofimport of manufactured goods), a study was

Efficiency

Import Physical Distribution

conducted focusing on the following points:(Private Sector Vitality Promotion(1) What kind of physical distribution systems

Office, Development Division,(hubs, distribution network) did shippers construct

Ports

in the past?

andHarbours

Bureau,Ministry of Transport)(2) How was port physical distribution related toshippers' physical distribution?
(3) How has the increase in the "import ofmanufactured goods" in recent years changed
1996

shippers' physical distribution?
(4) How has the increase in the "import ofmanufactured

goods"

changedportphysical

distribution?
(5) What functions do logistic hubs need to have inorder to enhance the efficiency in the physicaldistribution for the import of manufactured goods?
In which direction should the efforts to enhance theefficiency in physical distribution go?
(6) What kind of measures needs to be taken inorder to enhance the efficiency of the physicaldistribution of imports by using port space?

47

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Basic Study on Yokkaichi Port

With steady increases in port use and port

Harbor Information System

improvement efforts including reclamation projects,(Yokkaichi Port Authority)

Yokkaichi Port has developed as a representative
hub port in the Chubu region. In daily port
management, however, there is a pressing need forthe establishment of an information system needed
to take proper measures for ensuring navigationalsafety and take proper initial response measures inthe event of a port disaster such as an earthquake.
In view of these circumstances and other factors
such as the planned arrival of a very large LNG
1996

tanker in January, 1997, and the automation of the
Maritime Safety Agency's signal stations, it isthought necessary to ensure the safety of ships
arriving at and departing from the port in the
coming years, enhance navigational efficiency andrationalize port management.
Under this background, this study was conducted
for the purpose of investigating the actual
conditions

anddevelopingacomprehensive

information system capable of handling all kinds ofinformation in the port area including theinformation on arriving and departing ships.

48

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Kasaoka Port and Community

In fiscal 1994, the Study for the Formulation ofPlanning Symposium

the Kasaoka Port Long-term Development Scheme(Kasaoka Municipal Government)

was conducted for (Sumiyoshi and Fushigoe areas),
and the Master Plan for Redevelopment of Kasaoka
Port (Kasaoka Bay City Scheme) describing thestudies made on the reclamation plan and theshoreline profiles and land use patterns under thereclamation plan was formulated. In 1995, theStudy on the Implementation of the Kasaoka Bay
City Scheme was conducted. In the study, a scheme
for Setouchi History Museum was realized as partof the Setouchi Seaway Project, and the schemes
for Shogun ate Demesne Kasaoka Port Mansion
and Industry and Island Center were developed. In
1996, in order to build consensus and obtain thecooperation of the organizations concerned toward
the implementation of the Kasaoka Bay City
1996

Scheme, this symposium was held for the following
purposes: (1) public relations for the scheme and(2) hearing the opinions of experts.
Giving the keynote lecture, Dr. Chuji Mori,
Professor Emeritus, Okayama University, explainedthat the Kasaoka Bay City Scheme shows the city's
future envisioned on the basis of a more aged, more
information-intensive

and

more

communication-oriented society anticipated 20
years from now. He indicated four aims of thescheme: (1) the improvement of island life andindustry, (2) the development of tourist spots, (3)shoreline improvement and (4) the creation of asignature feature of Kasaoka. He also listed three
specific objectives:(a) identifying and enhancing superiorities (traffic
hub, a port on the Seto Inland Sea, land reclaimed
from the sea),49

(b) recognizing and making effective use ofcharacteristics (facing the Seto Inland Sea, manyislands, historical and cultural heritage) and(c)findingandovercoming

drawbacks(strengthening the terminal function of the port).
After the keynote lecture, panelists including local
experts stated their opinions from the viewpoints of"thepresent

stateofKasaoka

City"

and

"Community Building Challenges in the Coming
Years" and debated on "Creating a Signature
Feature of Kasaoka; Creating a New Image" and"Citizens' Initiative in Community Building."
A questionnaire survey of symposium participants
was conducted to hear opinions about the
symposium and concepts and suggestions forcommunity building.

50

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Revitalization of the

The western Seto region centered around the Sea

Bungo Strait Regionof Iyo connects Honshu to Kyushu and is also close(Kochi Port Work Office, Third

to the continent. The region is expected to prosper

District Port Construction Bureau,with the formation of a large international exchange

Ministry of Transport)

zone

based

on

interregional

exchange

andcooperation with the Sea-of-Japan Rim, Yellow Sea
Rim, East Asia and other regions. Currently, in thewestern Seto region, various internationalization
efforts including both structural and nonstructural
measures are underway.
In the cities of Sukumo and Saeki located in thesouthern part of this western Seto economic zone,
the development of a high-speed transportation
network has lagged behind although both cities areblessed with nature, and more effective use ofmarine transportation in the movement of goods
and people is hoped for.
1996

Under these circumstances, the Tosa Kuroshio
Railway will be extended to Sukumo City in 1997.
In the case of Saeki City, the extension of the East
Kyushu Expressway between Oita and Tsukumi,
which began in 1994, will shorten the travel time tothe major cities in the hinterland area and tourist
destinations.
In view of these, this study was conducted toconsider methods for making effective use of
Sukumo Port and Saeki Port, both of which are
currently being improved, by taking advantage ofthe characteristics of those ports and theirhinterland areas, make effective use of the existing"Sukumo–Saeki route," create new flows of goods
and people, and identify efficient modes ofimprovement and use of the port functions andhinterland areas, in order to revitalize the Bungo
Strait region.

51

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Symposium on Tokyo Bay in the(1) Lecture meeting

Coming Age(2) Preparation of proceedings of the meeting(Tokyo Bay Port Liaison Council(Chiba Prefectural Government,
Tokyo Metropolitan Government,
Kanagawa

Prefectural

Government,

Kawasaki

Municipal

Government,

Yokohama

Municipal

Government,

Yokosuka

1996

Municipal Government, Second
District Port Construction Bureauof the Ministry of Transport))

52

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

on

Eco-friendliness(1) Purpose of the studyof

The Ports and Harbours Bureau of the Ministry of

Ports(NagoyaPort

andConstruction compiled a report titled "New Port

AirportEnvironment Policy: Working to Realize Eco-ports"

Construction Office)describing

the

goals

of

port

environment

improvement in the coming years. According to thereport, port environment improvement efforts in the
coming years will aim to create ports that areecologicallyfriendlyandamenityoriented.

Measures being taken to realize eco-ports include
the formulation of port plans and the developmentof port environmental infrastructure including
eco-port model projects.
This study was conducted for the purpose ofinvestigating the state of tidal flats, gentle-slope
seawalls, etc., as "eco access" spaces (spaces where
living organisms and port facilities coexist) to1996

obtain basic data for setting goals of eco-port
creation efforts.
(2) Scope of the study
1) Classification of eco-access spaces(a) Collection of data(b) Collation of data
2) Classification and analysis of the state of
eco-access spaces
The results of the eco-access space classification
were analyzed and studied with respect to thefollowing:(a) Comparison between the state before the rapid
economic growth and the state after that(b) Percentage of eco-access spaces at each port(c) State of eco-access spaces in the entire port area
3) Surveys and problem-specific studies that need
to be conducted to achieve the goals
In view of the state of eco-access spaces at each53

port, surveys and problem-specific studies wereconducted to set environmental improvement goals
in order to make each port eco-friendly.

54

Fiscal year
Studywhen study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Effect of Green

In connection with Port Greening Manual whose

Space Development

revision centering on planning methodology is(Coastal Water Division, Fourth

being considered to cope with the changing social

District Port Construction Bureau,
Ministry of Transport)

1996

conditions, the effect of green space developmenton the ecosystem was studied focusing mainly on
birds.
A set of guidelines was proposed so that it can bereflected in future manual revisions.

55

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Planting Planning forThis study looked at planting planning andCoastal Green Spaces

improvement of coastal green spaces on the basis of(SecondDistrict

the results of the following tasks:

Port

Construction Bureau, Ministry of(1) Collecting and putting together basic data on

Transport)

port green spaces in Japan (port green spaceregistry) and classifying and collating improvement
data for representative cases
1996(2) Conducting a questionnaire survey of 19 ports(shown below) in Japan concerning the planting of
port green spaces, and studying challenges andproblems and identifying corrective measures
Ports considered: Muroran, Hakodate, Otaru, Akita,
Niigata, Aomori, Kashima, Chiba, Yokohama,
Shimizu, Nagoya, Mikawa, Yokkaichi, Osaka,
Komatsushima, Sakai, Kitakyushu, Miyazaki, Naha

56

Fiscal year
when

Study

Study outline

study wasconducted

Study on the Regional Disposal of(1) Purpose of the study

Earthquake-generated Waste

Assuming the occurrence of a major earthquake(SecondDistrictPortalong Tokyo Bay, this study considers how

Construction Bureau, Ministry ofearthquake-generated

widely-distributed

wasteTransport)

should be disposed of, paying attention to thefollowing:• Regional disposal of earthquake-generated waste(rubble) under the Tokyo metropolitan area's
regional disaster prevention plan
• How regional assistance should be provided in theevent of a near-field inland earthquake• Problems and challenges related to regional
disposal• The direction of regional assistance that can beprovided by the ports(2) Scope of the study• Study on the Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake
1996• Study on waste disposal in normal times• Study on the volume of waste generated by aninterplate earthquake and the treatment and disposalof such waste• Study on the volume of waste generated by anear-field inland (intraplate) earthquake and thetreatment and disposal of such waste• Study on measures necessary for the disposal ofearthquake-generated waste(3) Study method
An interview survey of the following organizations
was conducted:• Port authorities in the Tokyo Bay area
• Coastal Water Division, Third District Port
Construction Bureau, Ministry of Transport• Hyogo Prefectural government• Osaka Bay Regional Offshore Environmental
Improvement Center57

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Eco-port Development

In August, 1993, Phase 1 of the Marine Pierat Komatsushima Port

Okinosu Project for the development of a place for(Public

physical distribution and industrial activities was

Works

Department,

Tokushima Prefecture)completed in the Okinosu area of Komatsushima
Port. Since then, the work to formulate a plan forPhase 2, designed for the creation of excellent
waterfront space, urban redevelopment and thedevelopment of a transportation network and otherinfrastructure, has been underway. In April, 1996,
1996

the plan was designated as an "eco-port model
project" for implementation.
Aiming to draw up a plan for the eco-port projectin the area mentioned above, this study proposes aplan for a number of measures including artificial
beach nourishment designed to retain the habitat ofmarinevegetation

and

the

creationofanamenity-oriented artificial rocky beach. The study
also considers a port environment plan for the same
area.

58

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on the Marine Environment

In Tokushima Prefecture, on the basis of theof the Tokushima Airport Area

recognition that in carrying out development(Tokushimaaround Tokushima Airport, it is important to makePrefectural

Government)

effort to create a comfortable amenity environment
in harmony with the rich natural environment while
respecting the spirit of the Act on Special Measures
for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto
Inland Sea, the Scheme for Development around
Tokushima Airport based on the concept of a
"Shikoku Communication Frontier" capable ofcoexistingharmoniously

with

the

naturalenvironment was drawn up in 1994, and the Master
Plan for Development around Tokushima Airport
was formulated in 1995. In 1996, Tokushima
Prefecture started working on the formulation of the
Implementation Plan for Development around
Tokushima Airport and specified a project area
1996

where project implementation should be expedited.
This project area includes the 500 m extension of
the runway, the airport terminal facilities, waste
treatment facilities, etc., on the north side of the
runway and the seaside park, part of the artificial
beach, sewage treatment plant, etc., on the south
side.
From

the

conservation,

viewpointofenvironmental

the

of

environmental

concept

conservation was indicated in the master plan, andthe Beach Creation Plan was drawn up indicate thebasic direction of efforts to create a seaside
environment.
This study aims to indicate the direction of andrequirements for the Tokushima Airport area
development project as an environmental plan forthe project area in accordance with the Beach
Creation Plan.

59

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

for

the

Toba

Port

For Toba Port, which is widely known to be theLandscaping Model Project

gateway to Ise and Shima, a port improvement
project has been proposed on the basis of the resultsof a Marine Town Project study conducted for the
Sadahama area. In this study, a basic policy for
1996

enhancing the landscape quality of the entire
Sadahama area including the sea in the backgroundwas drawn up in order to develop a more detailed
landscape plan so that not only the functional
requirements for facilities are met, but also port
space where people can relax is created.

60

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study

for

the

Nakatsu

Nakatsu Port is located in an area facing the Sea

Port

Eco-port Model Projectof Suo at the northwestern end of Oita Prefecture.

(Fourth District Port Construction

The port has developed as a transportation hub

Bureau,Prefecturalconnecting the adjacent areas with the Hanshin and

Government, Nakatsu Municipal

Chugoku regions and the Kanmon area. Because of

Government)

the rapid economic growth in the postwar years, theOitaport has been playing an important role, throughport improvement and industrial development, inthe economy of the northern part of the prefecture.
Currently, there is a plan for port improvement tocope with changing conditions such as thegeographic
1996

spreadofeconomicandsocialactivities, the increase in the volume of goods
moved, and the increase of large ships used formarine transportation. Most of the shoreline in theport area is a semi-natural coast running along tidal
flats inhabited by diverse species of life.
In this study, a basic policy, facility systems andother details needed to make the environment ofNakatsu Port what it should be so that the port andtheenvironment

coexistharmoniously

weredetermined while coordinating such efforts with the
improvement of Nakatsu Port. For the tidal flat in
the Oshinden area, a concrete project plan was
drawn up as a model case.

61

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Study on Okitsu Port Eco-coast

The shoreline of the Okitsu Port coast in Chiba

Planning

Prefecture began to retreat in around 1977, making
Portthe coast increasingly vulnerable. It is therefore

Construction Bureau, Ministry ofnecessary to take improvement measures for beachTransport;

restoration. On the other hand, the coast in the(SecondDistrict
Chiba

Prefectural

Sotobo region including the Okitsu Port coast is an

Government)

important area as the northern limit along the
Pacific coast of the loggerhead turtle's spawning
grounds. In recent years, however, the beaches
servingasspawning

grounds

have

becomeincreasingly smaller mainly because of resort
development, seawall construction and shore
1996

retreat. Turtles themselves are threatened becauseof accidental capture by nets in coastal fisheries,
poaching, crushing by off-road vehicles, etc. Since
the loggerhead turtle is a threatened species
throughout the country, it is listed the Environment
Agency's Red Data Book as a rare species.
Because of these circumstances, the improvementof the Okitsu Port coast has been designated as an"eco-coast" project, and efforts are underway torestoreandloggerheadconserve
turtles'

the

coast

spawning

andretaingrounds

andmaintaining protection and rearing facilities forweakened turtles, taking into consideration thediversity of the coastal environment and habitats.

62

Fiscal year
when study

Study

Study outline

wasconducted

Planning Study for the Takehara

In 1996, the Okibe area of Takehara Port wasPort Eco-coast Project

designated as an "eco-coast" for the purpose of(Planning Division, Third Districtaugmenting storm surge protection measures andPort

conserving

Construction

Hiroshima
Government)

Bureau;Prefectural

1996

and

restoringlivingorganisms

dependent on the beaches and tidal flats in the area.
In this study, therefore, a master plan for coastal
improvement friendly to the natural environment of
the Okibe area of Takehara Port in accordance withthe objective of the "eco-coast project."63