Moreover, the civil and construction standards and international coordination of a verification system are being worked out through participating in the design and construction specification formulation of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

## (5) International standardization of Intelligent Transport Systems

In order to enhance efficient application development, international contribution and the development of local related industries, Japan is supporting the establishment of an international standard for ITS technology formulated in the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

While participating in the special committee for international standardization of ITS (ISO/TC204), Japan is promoting the international standardization of Smart-Way, and developing and popularizing Japanese standards that comply with international standards.

## (6) International standardization of geographic information

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) is participating in the technical committee regarding the ISO geographic information and is pushing forward the international standardization of geographic information. At the same time, it is also developing and popularizing local standards that comply with international standards.

## (7) Mutual recognition of technical professional qualifications with overseas countries

In the APEC engineer mutual recognition project, the mobilization of qualified technical professionals is being promoted based on the mutual recognition of technical qualifications between participating countries and regions. In order to promote the mobilization of qualified architects through the APEC Architect Project (Architect Register system), our country has endorsed the “APEC Architect Bilateral Agreement between Japan and Australia” with Australia in July 2008 and the “APEC Architect Bilateral Agreement between Japan and New Zealand” with New Zealand in July 2009 respectively.

## (8) The issue of the Name of the Sea of Japan

The “Japan Sea” is the name used not only in nautical charts and maps published by the Japan Coast Guard or by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, but also in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) publication “Limits of Oceans and Seas” and it has been recognized and acknowledged as the only internationally established name.

However, since the 6th United Nations Conference, held in 1992, on the Standardization of Geographical Names, ROK has been insisting that the name of the “Japan Sea” be changed to “East Sea” or that both names be used together because the “Japan Sea” became widespread as a result of Japanese expansionism and colonial policy. Therefore, Japan seeks the understanding and support of the international community on this issue.

## Section 3 – International Cooperation and Development Making use of the Experience, Technology and Know-How of our Country

## (1) Promotion of international cooperation

The development of human resources in planning, policy formulation, and management and operation sectors is essential for developing economic and social infrastructure in developing countries. As there is a great need for international cooperation in the field of infrastructure, various measures have been conducted including 1) the implementation of international exchange through policy dialogue, and human resources development through the support of private organization such as NGOs and trainee admission, 2) measures against global environmental issues and the implementation of technical development to improve safety, 3) the transfer of Japanese technologies and standards through dispatching technical experts and the invitation of Ministers and high ranking officials from related Ministries to Japan, and 4) technology transfer through schemes provided by JICA and related organizations and international cooperation through coordination with international organizations.

## (2) Assistance to the development of a wide range of economic and social infrastructure

Considering the expansion of the mutually dependent international relationships, MLIT is providing support for a wide range of socio-economic infrastructure development across various countries that are connected and impacted by the Asian Highway and Mekong regional development.

For the Asian Highway, based on the “Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network” (the highway to/from Tokyo and Fukuoka is named router “AH1” in the agreement), technical cooperation is being provided for the promotion of Asian Highway development. Regarding the Mekong regional development, based on the “appropriate future support method in terms of infrastructure in Mekong region (tentative)”, technical cooperation is being provided. Additionally, 2009 marked the 50 $ ^{th} $ anniversary of the Asian Highway Project, which was started in 1959. A seminar for looking to the future was held in February 2010, looking back over the past half century since the implementation of the project.

For the wide range of infrastructure for Africa, based on the agreement of the “4 $ ^{th} $ Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV)”, development support is being provided by utilizing skills and know-how for planning, constructing and enhancing regional transport corridors and international ports.