# Chapter 8: International Partnership and Contribution for the Nation's Sustainable Development

## (1) Developing international partnership and coordination mechanism under the initiative of Japan

The MLIT is working to bolster partnership in the ASEAN and other East Asian areas as a whole in such sectors as transport, construction, and marine environment management. At the same time, the ministry is developing a policy network involving major countries' transport ministers and a network in the Asia-Pacific region to share technology and know-how on infrastructure development and mutual cooperation. Moreover, the MLIT is taking steps to ensure free and fair construction markets overseas.

On the other hand, issues concerning water are becoming increasingly serious in various regions of the world, which greatly impacts Japan because the country imports agricultural and industrial products from such regions. Following the practical measures proposed in the Asia-Pacific Water Summit attended by summit-level leaders of the countries concerned (December 2007, Beppu city, Oita Prefecture), the MLIT is committed to supporting the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations in solving water resource problems in the Asian region.

## (2) Efforts concerning international standards

The MLIT is addressing a number of issues concerning international standards, including the harmonization of vehicle regulations and mutual recognition of certification; the international standardization of railway specifications; the promotion of formulating international standards concerning vessels and seafarers; the international harmonization of civil engineering and construction standards and the certification system therefor; and the international standardization of ITS and geographical information. In addition, the ministry is implementing all possible measures to address the issue regarding the internationally recognized name of the Sea of Japan in cooperation with other government offices.

## (3) International cooperation that takes advantage of Japan’s experience, technology and expertise

The MLIT is pursuing strategic international cooperation in transport and infrastructure development. The ministry is focusing on such matters as the development of broad-based socioeconomic infrastructure, including the Asia Highway Project and the development of the Mekong Delta area, as well as disaster preparedness, the environment and security.

Japan-India Working Group on Improved Connection between Ports and Railways

## (4) Multilateral and bilateral talks

The MLIT has been participating in multilateral talks and forums, including those held by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in order to make proactively negotiate and make proposals. The ministry is also involved in multilateral efforts in such sectors as roads, ports, maritime safety, and geographical surveying and mapping, and is actively promoting partnership and cooperation at meetings among the countries involved.

The MLIT is involved also in bilateral negotiations regarding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as well as in scheduled negotiations in the various areas for which the ministry is responsible, in order to exchange opinions and promote technical cooperation.