enhancing the conditions of the logistics business.

(2) Enhancement of the foundation of international ocean transportation networks

In the context of the globalization of the economy, the worldwide ocean transportation quantity is increasing every year. From the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of ocean transportation by large-quantity bulk transportation, the size of containers and ships for bulk freight transportation is increasing. In view of this, the freight handling capacity is increasing smoothly in the major container ports of every Asian country and their international competitiveness against the container ports of our country is becoming increasingly intense. Moreover, affected by the rapid economic development of neighboring countries in terms of bulk freight, the competition for obtaining resources, energy and food will also continue.

Therefore, in order to provide a service level of the highest worldwide standard and adequate port services as early as possible, from the viewpoint of the enhancement of the international competitiveness of ports through more “choices” and further “concentration”, the “International Container Strategic Port Review Committee” and “International Bulk Strategic Port Review Committee,” established in December 2009 under the MLIT Growth Strategy Conference, are carrying out reviews among the related parties.

Further, with these reviews, measures for realizing an international-domestic integrated efficient ocean transportation network are being pushed forward continuously. At the same time, further enhancement and reinforcement of measures are in progress.

1) Enhancing and deepening the Super Central Port Project

The Super Central Port Project aims to achieve a standard for cost and service that surpasses that of the major ports in Asia. It also targets a reduction in port cost by 30% and the lead-time by one day for providing a high frequency, multi-course, direct and high quality route service. For this, the Minister of MLIT has designated special designated important ports (Super Central Ports), including Keihin Port, Ise Bay (Nagoya Port and Yokkaichi Port) and Hanshin Port. Moreover, private enterprises have received authorization for running and starting businesses one after another. In addition, the total functionality enhancement of the Super Central Port is being worked out through developing a high-level and large-scale coastal logistics center and changing port terminal public corporations to limited liability corporations, for enhancing and complementing the functionality of container terminals. At the same time, in order to develop a seamless logistics network connecting local and overseas freight, the promotion of the comprehensive central reformation project of container logistics is being worked out with the cooperation of private enterprises and port administrators on 24-hour port service development, local feeder transportation, marine container transportation by railway, etc.

2) Enhancing port procedures

Concerning the “Next-Generation Single Window” positioned as the Asia gateway idea named the “Trading Procedure Reform Program”, the related ministries and government offices, especially MLIT, have unified and simplified port administrative procedures and e-application of 11 procedures were newly added from October 2009.

3) Enhancing the functionality of international ports

As for minimizing the difference in domestic logistics with East Asia logistics in terms of time and distance, according to the high-level and diversified needs, international unit load terminals and facilities for facilitating freight transshipment are being developed. Moreover, to establish an international ocean transportation network and a regional stronghold, the development of International Ocean Container Terminals and Multi-purpose International Terminals as well as measures for improving convenience, such as through the introduction of ICT (Information and Communications Technology), are being carried out, in order to cope with the increase in international ocean container freight and bulk freight such as chips, wood, coal, etc.

4) Development of marine traffic conditions

Due to there being shallows located on international main routes, those places with hindrances for navigation in the gulf are improved. At the same time, the marine traffic environment development for ensuring both the security of ship navigation and the efficiency of ocean transportation are also being carried out.

(3) Enhancement of air logistics functionality for uplifting international competitiveness

The freight handling capacity of the airports of neighboring Asian countries are greatly expanding due to an increase in the quantity of freight accompanied by the growth of Asia. Japan is also expected to aggressively draw in more Asian freight than the existing quantity, while the increase in Asian freight is expected in the near future.

(4) Other measures contributing to the enhancement of international logistics functionality

With the continuous economic exchange with the Asia region, there is urgent need for the formation of efficient logistics networks closely connecting international logistics and the domestic transportation modes of air, sea and land. Therefore, the development of an expressway network, which enables the international standard container vehicle $ ^{1} $ to pass through without transshipment in major ports and large-scale logistics strongholds, is being pushed forward.

To be specific, in order to deal with the traffic hindrance areas of international containers and ensure the necessary heavy-weight resistibility and sufficient space for the international standard vehicle to pass through, the measures of bridge strengthening, road expansion and bypass development have been implemented. At the same time as working out an early