## Section 3

## I nitiatives Towards International Standardization

## (1) Efforts for International Standardization

To promote high safety and environmental performance automobiles early and cost efficiently, Japan is actively participating in activities of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) to promote the international harmonization of safety and environmental regulations, and is also promoting the international spread of Japanese automobiles with superior safety, and environmental features, and new technology through participation in these activities. In order to promote such activities, the “Action Plan for the Internationalization of the Regulation and Certification System” with its four pillars of: 1) Strategic international standardization of Japanese technology and regulations, 2) Realization of international whole vehicle type approval system (IWVTA), 3) Promoting participation of Asian countries in international harmonization of regulations, and 4) Establishing a framework to handle globalization of regulations and certification, is being steadily realized to promote the internationalization of automobile regulation and certification systems.

## (2) Internationalization and Other Initiatives in the Railway Sector

As Europe actively promotes the international standardization of European standards, the possibility of significant obstacles arising in the overseas expansion of railway systems is increased if Japan’s superior technology is excluded from the scope of international standards. Because this will affect global competitiveness in the railway sector, it is important to actively promote international standards in railway technology. For this reason, the Railway Technical Research Institute’s Railway International Standards Center, which is the centralized organization that handles railway-related international standards, works proactively to further advance railway safety and the expansion of the railway industry.

As a result, Japan has played a central role in contributing to the proposals of individual standards and committee activities in the Technical Committee for Railway Applications (TC269) of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and secured successful results. As this country’s profile in various international conferences, including those organized by ISO/TC269 and the Technical Committee for the Railway Sector (TC9) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), has risen, efforts have been directed at promoting international standardization with respect to railway technology. The National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (Independent Administrative Institution), the first domestic certification body of international standards in the railway sector, has acquired solid certification experience following the establishment of the Certification Office, and contributed to the international expansion of Japan’s railway systems.

## (3) International Standards Regarding Ships and Mariners

In order to aim to mitigate the environmental impact and increase the safety of shipping and help disseminate superior Japanese energy-saving technologies, Japan has spearheaded discussions in the context of the formulation of standards under the SOLAS Convention $ {Note^{1}} $ , MARPOL Treaty $ {Note^{2}} $ , and STCW Convention $ {Note^{3}} $ , all of which have been adopted under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In terms of support for the ASEAN region, we have helped improve and harmonize ship-safety regulations in the ASEAN region, such as by working to have the conclusion of a memorandum of agreement that includes the use of guidelines on safety regulations provided by Japan agreed to among member countries.

Moreover, the Japan Coast Guard has participated in discussions on international standards applicable to nautical charts, nautical publications, and navigation warnings as hosted by a working group operating under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). In order to ensure the safety of vessel traffic and increase the operating efficiency of vessels, we have invited international conferences to Japan and otherwise spearheaded the international standardization of VDES $ ^{Note 5} $ , a next-generation AIS $ ^{Note 4} $ . In February 2016, the Japan Coast Guard invited workshops