### d. Building an integrated logistics information platform

An integrated logistics information platform that combines Nippon Automated Cargo Consolidated System (NACCS), with Container Logistics Information Service (Colins) is being built in order to improve the efficiency of system administration and user convenience.

### e. Enhancing functionalities of international ports

The MLIT not only develops international physical distribution terminals, etc. in the international maritime transport network or at regional hub ports for consolidated competitiveness, etc. of local key industries but also pushes efforts directed at ehnacing the functionalities of these ports, as by pushing their migration to ICT. To address increasingly sophisticated and diversified needs for East Asian logistics, which is not much different from domestic logistics in both terms of time and distance and build a low-cost logistics system, the Ministry pushes ahead with functional enhancements to unit loading terminals and with the construction of facilities designed to smooth the flow of cargo transshipment.

### f. Developing a marine transportation environment

Among all international backbone routes, those that could interfere with bay navigation because of shallow waters, etc. have been improved and Aids to Navigation have been established to develop a marine transportation environment that combines the safety of navigation with the efficiency of marine transportation.

## (3) Developing advanced aviation logistics facilities to pursue increased international competitiveness

The MLIT pushes efforts to consolidate the functionalities of the metropolitan airports, drive an airfreight hub implementation of Japan’s hub airports, such as Kansai international Airport and Chubu International Airport, and simplify the transportation process flow in its bid to positively capture airfreight originating from and arriving in Asia as it promises further leaps.

## (4) Strategic development and utilization of a logistically important road network

Building an efficient logistics network is of crucial importance to motor-truck transportation, which accounts for about 80% of domestic transportation. Because of this, the construction of ring roads in the three major metropolitan areas, access roads to airports and ports, etc. is underway. In October 2014, “road network for vehicles exceeding the weight and size limits” were separately designated among these roads to simplify the procedural routine for issuing passage permits for those large-sized vehicles using roads in these sections. Such sections are to be expanded and traffic-impeded sections will be resolved on a planned basis from now on. Efforts are also underway to utilize and upgrade existing road networks, including the construction of smart ICs.

## (5) Measures that help consolidate international logistics facilities

The urgent formation of logistical plans, in which international logistics is efficiently combined with domestic transport modes of land, sea and air, is being pursued. This includes propelling the development of the mutual passage of chasses (trailing trucks without a power drive) to and from Korea and China and the use of a sea and rail scheme under which marine transportation is coupled with railway transportation.

The MLIT will push the development and redevelopment of physical distribution sites and facilities around international ports, etc., which are nodal areas for international physical distribution in metropolitan zones. They will also undertake this at the ports that are the strongpoints of physical distribution and industry. This will be done to build up international competitiveness and form an efficient network of physical distribution as an integral part of urban environment improvement activity, while also seeking better disaster preparedness to deal with massive disasters as they occur.