## (2) Initiatives of Regional Development Bureaus

Technical and Engineering Offices as well as Port and Airport Technology Investigation Offices coordinate with relevant offices in their jurisdiction for tests and research of civil works material and water quality, hydraulic tests and design for the effective and efficient development of facilities, development of environmental monitoring systems, and other matters for technology development, as well as the utilization and promotion of new technology tailored to the region.

## (3) Promoting research and development technologies of construction, traffic and transportation fields

Of the important research issues concerning construction technology, issues that are especially urgent and involve a wide range of fields are taken up with the governmental departments taking the lead with the coordination of industry, academia and government to comprehensively and organizationally implement research for the “comprehensive technology development projects” where in FY2015, research and development was conducted for a total of five issues including the “Development of function continuity technology for the disaster site buildings.”

Also, for the traffic and transportation fields, technological research and development that contributes to ensuring safety, improving convenience, and protecting the environment are being promoted efficiently and effectively with the coordination of industry, academia and government. In FY 2015, we engaged in the development of technology that could be used for upgrading public transportation systems utilizing high-precision positioning technology.

## (4) Supporting Private Sector Technological Research and Development

To promote private sector investments in research and development, support is given through preferential tax measures for experimental and research expenses.

## (5) Promoting Open-Type Research and Development

In order to promote technological innovation in the construction sector, an open call for the development of technologies to solve policy issues (targeted commercialization in two to three years) was made through the Construction Technology Research and Development Subsidy Program, which invites proposals concerning technological research and development to help upgrade and enhance the international competitiveness of construction technology under the purview of MLIT and further promote research and development carried out by MLIT. In FY 2015, nine new issues and six ongoing issues were adopted.

In FY 2015, an open call for research issues on five research themes—including anti-aging measures of disaster prevention and mitigation measures, and appropriate maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure—was made through the Transportation Technology Development Promotion System, which selectively carries out at a national governmental level basic research truly needed for resolving policy issues identified in the MLIT basic plan on technology. Three new issues and six ongoing issues were accordingly adopted.

## 2 Promoting the Utilization and Adoption of New Technology for Public Works

## (1) New Technology Utilization System for Public Works

In order to actively utilize promising new technology developed by private sector businesses, a “new technology utilization system for public works” that utilizes the New Technology Information System (NETIS) is under operation. Up to now, there were 23 recommended technologies and 53 runner-up recommended technologies chosen as innovative new technologies that will further raise the level of technology concerning public works. Also, to promote efficiency of maintenance and management in the field, for the adoption of new technology in the field and the promotion of further technological development, NETIS is leveraged to set technical themes to use and evaluate the submitted technologies in the field.

## (2) Supporting the Utilization of New Technology

In order to promote the utilization of new technology in public works and other areas, utilization is evaluated at every design stage, and technology that provides great utilization benefits are designated by the ordering party when construction is contracted. With respect to new technologies whose use is being proactively considered by ordering offices, a provisional