## (6) Road Sector

In order to create an environment that makes it easier for Japanese companies to enter ASEAN regions, the use of the Japan-ASEAN Transportation Alliance framework, pavement technology for international road networks, and ITS' joint research on large vehicle management were proposed. This allowed for them to partner with other countries in August, 2014 and additional studies were started concerning the development of technical standard. ITS technology, traffic safety measures, and pavement management systems. Model projects were conducted in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam with the aim of improving the trust and understanding of Japanese road technologies in these partner countries. Additionally, surveys were conducted in Myanmar and the Philippines, in order to find new projects that may utilize Japan's specialized road technology. Furthermore, in various countries in Asia—including India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam—seminars were held on policies and technology in the road sector, with the cooperation of expressway companies and road-related private companies, to promote Japanese road technology that meets the needs of each of these countries. Finally, Japan actively participated in the World Road Association (WRA) general assembly and technical committees, while also leading future policy development, which promotes technology and information exchange within both the policy and technology sectors.

## (7) Housing and Building Sector

Japan attended the world conference of the Inter-Jurisdictional Regulatory Collaboration Committee (IRCC) and exchanged information with partner countries concerning trend in building standards.

Bilateral talks were held with South Korea, China, France, Myanmar and Indonesia concerning housing policy, low-energy buildings, and housing for the elderly.

The talks with Myanmar had a wide field of technical cooperation, including domestic building standards seminars and invitations to government officials.

Building standards seminars were held with both Mongolia and Laos by request from government ministers.

## (8) Railway Sector

In the high-speed railway sector, MLIT initiative are underway to introduce the Shinkansen (high-speed) technology in India, Malaysia-Singapore and other countries. The export of urban railways overseas is also being promoted. In 2014, Minister Ohta of MLIT visited Malaysia, India and other countries to conduct a “top sales” drive to promote the introduction of Japanese railway systems abroad. In addition to sales meetings with foreign dignitaries in Japan, actual site visits were also conducted. Furthermore, the State Minister and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of MLIT has been appealing to the respective representatives of various Asian countries in this regard. In FY2014, public-private railway seminars were also held in various countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and India.

## (9) Automotive Sector

An automobile safety standards cooperative agreement was reached with Australia in January 2014. Accordingly, the first bilateral meetings were held in September 2014 to exchange information concerning automobile certification systems, import car processing systems, and recall systems. A similar agreement was reached with Malaysia in January 2015 for a deepened bilateral cooperation in automobile standards certification in the future. In addition, the 5th Japan-China Automobile & Traffic Exchange Promotion Meeting was held in August 2014, with an exchange of opinions concerning legal framework and safety standards for work vehicles and vehicles that transport dangerous materials, as well as status updates and introduction of measures concerning the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT).