Japan is an archipelago with a steep backbone of mountain ranges, running down the center of the island. From of old, the coastal region (ie. coastal land and ocean areas) has been central to the various spheres of Japanese life including daily life, production, and transport.
As may be imagined, the coastal region played an extremely important function in building up the present prosperity of Japan. And the motive force for this development may be said to have been supplied by the ports. Today, there are 1,102 ports around the country supporting the distribution, industry, and regional development of Japan.
In the process of high economic growth starting in the 1950s, key industries such as iron, steel and petrochemicals took leading roles in the development. Almost all these industries were located in the coastal area near the ports. The wide-ranging industrial activities centering on these k industries were also carried on in the environment of the ports. In addition, the ports made a great contribution to Japan's economic activities. During the period of high economic growth, almost 100% of foreign trade was handled through the ports, and the expansion in domestic distribution demand which required a great expansion in seaborne transport was also supported by the ports. At the same time, the ports made a significant contribution to the goal of regional development in that the economic activities centering on the ports promoted the development of the region. Following the period of rapid economic growth after the 1970s, the Japanese economy slowed down somewhat due to the two oil crises. And the rapid economic growth rose to such environmental problems. Then port was diversified its function, not only infrastructure of transportation but energy supply base or creation of green area.
Today, along with the increasing "internationalization" and "informationalization" of recent years, there is a demand for the creation of a total port environment which is well adapted to these new trends. In April, 1985, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) formulated a long-range policy for the improvement of ports, called 21-SEIKI-ENO-KOUWAN (The 21st Century Port), in order to comply flexibly with, and in certain respects lead, these social changes. Based on this policy, MOT will promote measure to bring into being a total port environment and a port information network.
The total port environment envisioned in the 21-SEIKI-ENO-KOUWAN (The 21st Century Port) plan is divided into the three spheres of "distribution", "industry", and "life". The aim is to produce a harmonious and integrated relationship between these spheres.
Port development based on this long-term policy has been promoted, but growth of Japan's society has exceeded predictions made at the time the 21-SEIKI-ENO-KOUWAN (The 21st Century Port) plan was drawn. Therefore, in April, 1990, the YUTAKA-NA-UWOTAFURONTO-WO-MEZASHITE (Create Rich Waterfront) plan was developed. The aim is "improvement in the quality of port areas as a whole", which consists of three functions, "distribution", "industry", and "life", and also "contribution to the development of balanced land" to realize a rich waterfront with a focus on the following policies.
?In addition to improvements of port facilities, seek convenience and beauty
?Development of the port to promote imports
?Development of the port in preparation for the generation of passenger ships
?Strengthening response to rural and metropolitan problems
