## Multilateral and Bilateral Initiatives in Individual Sectors

(1) Land and Construction Industry Sectors

In conjunction with the Bosphorus Rail Tube Crossing opening ceremony in October 2013, for the purpose of establishing a cooperative relationship in the construction industry sector the Senior Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism attended the Japan-Turkey Conference on Construction in Istanbul.

Also, seminars were held with relevant government ministries and agencies concerning the improvement of legislative frameworks in the land and construction industry fields in Myanmar (January 2014) and Vietnam (February 2014).

## Japanese Construction Technology Contributes to Fulfilling “Turkish Peoples’ 150-Year Dream” - Opening of Bosphorus Cross-Strait Railway -

On October 29, 2013, the 90th anniversary the Republic of Turkey’s founding, an opening ceremony for the Bosphorus cross-strait railway was held. Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, is a city that spans from the Anatolian peninsula on the Asia side and the Balkan peninsula on the European side across the Bosphorus strait. Until recently, the only transport means to cross the strait were maritime transport such as ferries or the two bridges, causing chronic traffic congestion. For the purpose of relieving traffic congestion and other issues with the development of an advanced transportation system, the “Marmaray Project” was implemented, involving a construction plan for the cross-strait railway and an improvement plan for existing rail lines. Of this, a consortium led by Japanese construction companies was commissioned with the construction of the cross-strait railway and saw it through completion.

The concept of a cross-strait tunnel dates back to a blueprint drawn 150 years ago. However, the strait’s tidal current is not only known as one of the fastest in the world but the upper and lower layers flow in different directions and construction would

Marmaray Project Opening Ceremony

Source) Cabinet Public Relations Office

have to take place in areas with 60 meters of water depth at the deepest points, making implementation impossible until now. For this project, the Japanese construction company used the “sunken tube method” where eleven reinforced concrete blocks were submerged in the seabed and then each connected on the seabed to form a tunnel to complete a cross-strait tunnel known as the “Turkish Peoples’ 150-Year Dream”.

Also, on 30th the following day, to promote Japanese construction technology, MLIT and Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communication of Turkey hosted the Second Japan-Turkey Conference on Construction with approximately 150 participants including government officials and people from the private sector of both countries. As an earthquake-prone country like Japan, Turkey is increasingly interested in disaster prevention technology so at the conference, Japanese technology for earthquake resistant, seismic isolation, and vibration control was promoted.

In addition to the Marmaray project, there are a variety of infrastructure development projects planned or in progress such as the long-span bridge

Statement presented by the Prime Minster Abe at the opening ceremony