## (4) Revitalizing industries

## ☐ Trends and policies in railway-related industries

The railway industry is making efforts to improve services against the backdrop of the severe business environment. IC tickets are being used or are planned to be used throughout the country and the MLIT is supporting their common or interchangeable use by taking preferential taxation measures. Also, supports are being given to Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) and Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight) to stabilize and strengthen their business bases to promote complete privatization of JR companies.

## ○Trend and policies of motor-vehicle transportation industries

In the taxi industry, applications for fare revision were filed in various parts of the country aimed mainly at improving the working conditions of the drivers, and fares have been revised in 45 fare blocks out of 90 organized in Japan. The Special Measures Law on Appropriate Taxi Operation was amended in June 2007 to introduce new measures, including an expansion of the specified areas subject to the driver registration system for areas other than Tokyo and Osaka.

On the other hand, in view of the current devastating situation the trucking industry is facing, mainly due to the recent crude oil price soar, the MLIT is implementing support in creating an environment allowing the introduction of a tariff system corresponding to a hike in fuel prices as well as the subsidization upon purchase of low-emission vehicles or energy saving devices to enhance the energy saving capabilities of the industry.

## ○Trends and policies of maritime industries

The “Bill to amend part of the Maritime Transportation Act and Seamen’s Act” was presented by the MLIT to the 169th session of the Diet, proposing an application of tonnage tariff to oceangoing vessel operators when they have been authorized by the MLIT Minister with respect to their plans on securing Japanese-flag vessels and training and securing their seafarers.

Under the “Action Plan for Substituted Construction of Coastal Vessels” formulated in March 2006, various policy measures have been implemented to ensure efficient and reliable transportation services to be provided in coastal shipping, while efforts are being made in and after 2007 toward group formation of coastal shipping companies.

Besides the efforts to enhance the international competitive edge of the shipbuilding industry, the MLIT is promoting the development and practical application of marine industry technology, including research and development to introduce vessels excellent in safety and environmental design, the practical application and dissemination of mega-float technology as well as the development of ocean platform technology that can be applied as the technology basis in the use of ocean space and natural energy in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

## ☐ Trends and policies of aviation industries

Competition is encouraged in aviation industries by policies such as expanding a framework that gives favorable treatment to newly launched airways companies by prioritizing the allocation of their arrival and departure slots at congested airports.

## ○Trends and policies of the freight forwarding industries

Consideration is being given to revising the existing regulations to enhance more deregulated business operations based on the originality and ingenuity of the business operators while an increasing number of newcomers are joining the industry.

## ○Trends and policies of warehousing industries

Recent trends show that new warehouse operators are joining the industry thanks to the ease of restraints on entry, but they also indicate that increased preference is being given to the comprehensive logistics service business, against the backdrop of deregulated entry into other logistics-related businesses.

## ○Trends and policies of real estate industries

Efforts are being made to facilitate proper application of the Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Law and to secure proper management by condominium property management operators. In addition, the development of conditions to ensure transparency of the real estate market, the utilization of the tax system and term leasehold interest for business use, and the configuration of the real estate market adjusted to the new era are implemented in order to revitalize the market while the market size of the real estate securitization is expanding.