## (4) Promoting the use of public transportation

The shift from private vehicles to public transportation reduces travel with vehicles and is a necessary facet of global warming countermeasures. For this reason, we are promoting automation such as implementing IC cards, introduction of Light Rail Transit/Bus Rapid Transit system and improving the convenience of public transportation through better transit connections. We also encourage ecological commuting in each business establishment through the Ecological Commuting Outstanding Business Certification Scheme, as well as spreading environment-friendly commuting by cooperating with regional schemes that promote ecological commuting. Furthermore, information analysis and validation results of past activities for the “Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Model

Project” were provided nationwide to regions working to realize EST.

## (5) Optimizing logistics

Exceeding 50% of the total domestic transportation modes in Japan, trucks account for the majority of the share ratio (ton kilometer basis in transportation). The $ CO_{2} $ emissions base unit Note of trucks is greater than that of mass transportation such as railroads and domestic shipping, and trucks account for 90% of the $ CO_{2} $ emissions in logistics. In order to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emissions while sustaining domestic logistics, we must strive to utilize energy efficient transportation modes such as railroads and domestic shipping in addition to improving energy efficiency and transportation efficiency of trucks. And, to establish an even more efficient logistics system with low environmental impact, government support is being provided for joint transportation and delivery, modal shift, implementation of large CNG trucks, low-carbon logistics centers, and low-carbon emission of the port area. We implement a study on matching mechanism to promote joint transportation and delivery, survey on the promotion of railway transportation of export and import containers, aid for the deployment of 31ft railway containers of similar size to the 10-ton truck, and the demonstration experiments of a new style 12ft refrigerated railway container. We are also working to vitalize the coastal shipping and ferry industry by promoting the building of energy-saving vessels. We also work to disseminate the “Eco Rail Mark” (150 products (190 items) and 87 cooperating enterprises certified as of the end of February, 2015), and the “Eco Ship Mark” (94 consignors and 110 logistics businesses enterprises certified as of the end of February, 2015). In ports and harbors, functioning as nodal points between overland and overseas transportation, we are implementing initiatives to conserve energy within ports and harbors, implementing, facilitating, and applying renewable energies and expanding carbon dioxide sinks. Moreover, we strive to reduce overland transportation distance of international cargo by renovating facilities such as international overseas container terminals.

In addition, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and related organizations, we hold the Green Logistics Partnership Conference to give awards to the excellent operations through the collaboration of logistics operators and shipping companies and to raise public awareness.