## 3 ) Development and practical use of marine industrial technology

As one of the world’s leading shipbuilding and maritime countries, Japan is continuing active research and development for providing ships that are excellent in security and environmental functionality. In particular, the discussion of the framework for $ CO_{2} $ reduction in the international marine industry is in progress, so the world pioneering development of a standard indicator for enabling the evaluation of $ CO_{2} $ emission levels from individual ships during the planning and construction stage by utilizing shipbuilding and marine technology is being carried out. Moreover, the development of environmentally-friendly shipping engines is being worked out.

In addition, in the “Basic Plan on Ocean Policy (FY 2008-FY 2012)” formulated based on the “Basic Act on Ocean Policy”, the promotion of marine industry and the reinforcement of international competitiveness were cited. In order to realize these goals, the development of open-sea platform technology $ ^{1} $ , which is a basic technology for the utilization of ocean spaces and natural energy in the exclusive economic waters of our country, is being pushed forward.

### 4. Trends and Measures of the Aviation Industry

Regarding the transportation achievements of our country’s airline enterprises in FY 2008, affected by the price jumping of petroleum and the global economic recession after the autumn of the same year, the number of domestic tourists has been decreasing for 2 consecutive years to 90.66 million (a decrease of ~4.4% when compared with that of the previous year) and the number of international tourists decreased greatly to 15.86 millions (a decrease of ~10.2% when compared with that of the previous year).

Affected by the new subtype of influenza in early 2009, the airline business has been suffering from a rapid fall in demand. On 19 $ ^{th} $ January 2010, Japan Airlines carried out

its application for support from the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan and filed an application applicable to the Corporate Reorganization Act to the court. Under the comprehensive support provided by the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan, Japan Airlines is ensuring transparency and fairness through court involvement and is drawing out a definite revitalization plan from the standpoint of citizens at the same time. As Japan Airlines plays an important role in the air network of our country, the government is also providing necessary support until Japan Airlines accomplishes its recovery.

### 5. Trends and Measures of the Freight Forwarding Industry

The freight forwarding industry $ ^{2} $ is contributing to pushing forward the modal shift for environmental burden reduction and the number of new participants in the business is increasing steadily.

In FY 2009, other than the measures for the construction of an efficient freight transportation system between Narita and Haneda airports, the measures for rectification of railway transportation hindrances due to disasters is also being pushed forward. Moreover, in order to ensure the provision of a secure and reliable logistics service, the compliance of business operators is being enforced through inspections and cooperation enhancement between the business operators of freight forwarding transportation and freight transportation is underway.

### 6. Trends and Measures of the Warehouse Industry

Concerning commercial warehouses that play an important role as logistics centers, in order to work out corresponding measures for sophisticated and diverse safekeeping needs as well as the promotion of the efficiency enhancement of the logistics business, regulation relaxation was implemented in the form of changing the participation regulations to a registration basis etc. Afterward, the number of new participants in the warehouse business is increasing steadily. As of FY 2008, the number of warehouse business operators was 5,611 (an increase of 556 when compared with that of FY 2001).

Moreover, large-scale logistics facilities for renting logistics business operators were constructed through foreign investment and local real estate funds, and warehouse business operators who develop the business by renting those facilities, are emerging.