other environmental vehicles, a smaller carbon footprint generated by logistical sites, and a smaller carbon footprint generated by ports and harbors. We are also promoting the dissemination of equipment containing natural coolants for use in warehouses for frozen and refrigerated goods. In addition to studying a matching framework for the promotion of joint transportation, promoting the use of containers on a round-trip basis, developing low-floor freight cars to accommodate the shipping of forty-feet tall containers by rail, and providing subsidies for the acquisition of thirty-one-feet containers for railways that are equivalent in size to ten-ton trucks, we are also promoting the construction of energy-saving vessels and otherwise invigorating the coastal shipping and ferry sector. We also work to disseminate the Eco Rail Mark (161 products (199 items) and 86 cooperating enterprises certified as of the end of August 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 that are a hub for maritime transportation and overland transportation, we are endeavoring to reduce overland transportation distances for cargo by promoting the development of international maritime container terminals, development of international logistics terminals, and development of domestic logistics sites compatible with combined multimodal transportation. In ports and harbors, we are also engaged in efforts to support the introduction of energy-saving systems, promote modal shifts and transportation streamlining based on the use of marine transportation for reverse logistics facilitate the introduction and promote the use of recyclable energy, develop green tracts to contribute to $ CO_{2} $ absorption, and create seaweed beds and other such ecosystems.

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.

Figure II-8-1-3

Promotion of Activities through

the Green Logistics Partnership Conference

## Green Logistics Partnership Conference (Manager: Takehiko Sugiyama, Vice-Director General of the Institution for Transport Policy Studies and Director-General of the Institute for Transport Policy Studies)

- This conference was launched as a conference for promoting awareness of the importance of green logistics and stimulating interactions among cargo owners, logistics companies, and other concerned parties in order to advance $ CO_{2} $ reductions in the logistics sector. Since FY 2015, this conference has been promoting not just initiatives to reduce amounts of $ CO_{2} $ emissions but also initiatives to reduce other burdens on the environment, improve the productivity of logistics, and otherwise contribute to the establishment of sustainable systems of logistics.

- Membership: 3,353 members (as of February 17, 2016) --- Logistics Companies, Cargo Owners, each of the industry associations, think tanks, research institutes

- Introduction and commendation of excellent businesses as well as holding discussions regarding Green Logistics aimed towards the expansion of voluntary efforts in the private sector aimed at reducing $ CO_{2} $ emissions.

## Summary of the awarded enterprises

[Purpose] To encourage enterprises to autonomously engage in initiatives and promote the dissemination and growth of the concept of green logistics by recognizing meritorious achievements in connection with initiatives carried out to successfully reduce burdens on the environment in the logistics sector, improve the productivity of logistics, or otherwise establish a sustainable system of logistics.

[Types of Awards] Ministers Award, Director-Generals Award, and a Special Award have been created.

Ministers Award --- Award from Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award; Award from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Director-Generals Award --- Award from Ministry of Logistics Deputy from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Secretariat; Award from Ministry of Commerce and Distribution Safety Deputy from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Secretariat

Special Award --- Award on the level of the Ministers Award and the Director-General Awards for particularly superior initiatives (created in 2013)

## Example of a case awarded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (In 2014)

## Award from Minister of MLIT

Initiative Name: Endeavoring to promote comprehensive green logistics accompanying a modal shift; aiming to standardize palletizing operations and establish a diversity-oriented logistics network in anticipation of a driver shortage.

Companies: Kobe Modal Shift Promotion Council, Nestle Japan, Ltd., Zenkoku Tsu-un Co., Ltd., and Japan Freight Railway Company

## ◆Award from Ministry of Logistics Deputy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister's Secretariat

Companies: Tonami Transportation Co., Ltd., Daiichi Freight System, Inc., Kurume-Trans Co., Ltd.

(ii) Initiative Name: Supporting initiatives to reduce burdens on the environment through operations of Yamaya Shoryu's distilled spirits center and a next-generation modal shift.

Award granted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism standardization of palletizing operations

Companies: Yamaya Shoryu Corporation, Senko Co., Ltd., Japan Freight Railway Company, Kokura Transportation Co., Ltd., Sendai Express Co., Ltd., SBS Logicom Co., Ltd., Japan Oil Transportation Co., Ltd.

## Special Award from Green Logistics Partnership Conference

Initiative Name: Project to implement measures to deal with shortages of long-haul drivers and reduce amounts of $ CO_{2} $ emission through the use of marine and rail modes of transportation.

Award granted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Source) MLIT

(6) Promoting low carbonization of railways, ships, and aviation

### a. Initiatives contributing to further enhance environmental performance in the railway sector

While rail has a smaller environmental impact than other modes of transportation, we are promoting the adoption of railroad-related facilities tied to the Ministry of the Environment and systems that help railway carriages generate a smaller carbon footprint and save energy and promoting the development of technologies to help improve environmental