Welcome to our website! Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA (JITTI USA), is an independent research institute which studies various kinds of US-Japan and... Research Reports Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act Videos on Demand VIEW ALL VIDEOS Events U.S.–Japan International Exchange Symposium 2025: Building a Trusted and Collaborative Partnership through Multi-layered Engagement Thursday, November 20th | Hybrid Event: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and Held Virtually in English and Japanese Since the pandemic, Japan and the United States have resumed and strengthened people-to-people exchanges through initiatives such as recent summit meetings and the “U.S.-Japan Tourism Year.” Global events, including the recently held Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, are further boosting these ties. In addition, multi-layered personnel exchange and dispatch programs across the public and private sectors also contribute to mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing nationalism, multi-layered exchanges are vital for fostering trust and a collaborative U.S.–Japan partnership that supports global stability. This symposium will bring together government officials and experts from both nations to discuss ways to deepen people-to-people exchanges and advance international exchange. VIEW ALL EVENTS Research Reports Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act Author: Kazuya Fukuhara & Hiroyuki Yamagami | Maritime Transportation U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 5 ~ Development of the Roadmap for AAM TC, Issuance of the AC on Powered-Lift TC, and Final Rule of MOSAIC ~ Author: Shinichiro Tsuri | Civil Aviation U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background Author: Yosuke Yamashita | Maritime Transportation VIEW ALL REPORTS JITTI JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 13 Issue 1 | Feature: Yosuke Yamashita | Cultural Article: Suzannah Nevas In this journal's Featured Article, discover how Japan, along with it's strategic alliance with the U.S., is reshaping global shipbuilding and what it means for the future. Furthermore, find how Sapporo, Japan finds delight in the winter season in their annual Yuki Matsuri (snow festival). November 2025 Volume 12 Issue 6 | Feature: Yuta Arai | Cultural Article: Tomomi Dodd Read our Feature introducing a world-leading Coast Guard graduate course and have an intimate look at a Shinto-style wedding in our Cultural Article. September 2025 Volume 12 Issue 5 | Feature: Yukiko Nakamura | Cultural Article: Yuta Arai Our Feature Article overviews how regional initiatives around Japanese airports are working to revitalize the surrounding area. Meanwhile, our Cultural Article introduces speed-dials in Japan. VIEW ALL OTHER PUBLICATIONS

As the demand and usage of unmanned aircraft expand for both casual and professional usage, the FAA continues to evolve regulations to match real-world operations. Meanwhile, businesses and governments look to the future on how to further innovate this contemporary field. < Back Civil Aviation Regulation Trends for Unmanned Aircraft and a Summary Report of the 2020 FAA UAS Symposium (Part 1) By Yoshihiro Fujimaki As the demand and usage of unmanned aircraft expand for both casual and professional usage, the FAA continues to evolve regulations to match real-world operations. Meanwhile, businesses and governments look to the future on how to further innovate this contemporary field. Download the Report

Eno conducted an analysis of the international market for air travel for JITTI USA. This multi-part series details some of the most interesting facts and findings, and is instructive for thinking about how international air service has evolved over the past few decades. < Back Civil Aviation Trends in International Travel Part 4: Conclusion By Paul Lewis Eno conducted an analysis of the international market for air travel for JITTI USA. This multi-part series details some of the most interesting facts and findings, and is instructive for thinking about how international air service has evolved over the past few decades. Download the Report

At their 76th Annual Meeting, the International Air Transport Association made predictions of a continued difficult 2020, but some upswing in 2021. With the Covid-19 pandemic still causing hardship on the aviation industry, read more on how they came to this conclusion, and what recommendations were made to combat recovery challenges. < Back Civil Aviation The Aviation Industry's 2020 Full-year Forecast and 2021 Outlook -As Detailed in the IATA Annual Meeting Report- By Daisuke Takagi At their 76th Annual Meeting, the International Air Transport Association made predictions of a continued difficult 2020, but some upswing in 2021. With the Covid-19 pandemic still causing hardship on the aviation industry, read more on how they came to this conclusion, and what recommendations were made to combat recovery challenges. Download the Report

Research Reports Topic Area Reset Maritime Transportation February 2026 Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act By Kazuya Fukuhara & Hiroyuki Yamagami Civil Aviation January 2026 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 5 ~ Development of the Roadmap for AAM TC, Issuance of the AC on Powered-Lift TC, and Final Rule of MOSAIC ~ By Shinichiro Tsuri Maritime Transportation January 2026 U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background By Yosuke Yamashita Tourism & More October 2025 Impact of the U.S. Government Shutdown on Transportation and Tourism By Kazuya Fukuhara Civil Aviation August 2025 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 4 ~ Final Rule of the Powered-Lift SFAR, Revision of the Vertiport EB, Selection of the CAAT Operating Entity, and Direction to Establish the eIPP ~ By Shinichiro Tsuri Surface Transportation August 2025 Inspection Report on the London Underground Elizabeth Line By Haruhiko Koyama Civil Aviation June 2025 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 3 By Shinichiro Tsuri 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 14

Recent developments concerning the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry have been outlined in the following reports in Japanese by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute: “Presidential Executive Order and Section 301 Measures under the Trade Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (April 21, 2025); “The SHIPS Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (May 9, 2025); and “Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 Measures under the U.S. Trade Act and other measures” (October 15, 2025). Subsequently, as a result of the U.S.–China summit held on October 30, 2025, both countries agreed to suspend port-related charges and other measures that had been in effect since October 14. The pause is to last for one year, starting November 10. This report focuses particularly on the actions taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as there have been major developments since our latest report, which describes wider measures by the U.S. administration and congress in order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through executive orders, the SHIPS Act, Section 301 actions and so forth. < Back Maritime Transportation February 2026 Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act By Kazuya Fukuhara & Hiroyuki Yamagami Recent developments concerning the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry have been outlined in the following reports in Japanese by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute: “Presidential Executive Order and Section 301 Measures under the Trade Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (April 21, 2025); “The SHIPS Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (May 9, 2025); and “Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 Measures under the U.S. Trade Act and other measures” (October 15, 2025). Subsequently, as a result of the U.S.–China summit held on October 30, 2025, both countries agreed to suspend port-related charges and other measures that had been in effect since October 14. The pause is to last for one year, starting November 10. This report focuses particularly on the actions taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as there have been major developments since our latest report, which describes wider measures by the U.S. administration and congress in order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through executive orders, the SHIPS Act, Section 301 actions and so forth. Download the Report

At the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held from October 14 to 17, deliberations were expected to culminate in the adoption of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF)—a global framework aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. However, the framework was not adopted due to persistent divergence in members. Instead, the members agreed to convene another Extraordinary Session within a year to continue deliberations toward adoption. Prior to this session, the U.S. government had taken a firm stance against the NZF. In August, it issued an official statement opposing the framework, even hinting at potential retaliatory measures against supporting nations. Furthermore, on October 10, just before the IMO session, Washington reiterated its opposition, outlining specific retaliatory measures such as restrictions on port entry and visa issuance for seafarers of the countries supporting the framework. This report outlines (1) the overview of the IMO Net Zero Framework, (2) the U.S. government’s response to it, and (3) the policy background behind the U.S. position—particularly the recent shifts in U.S. energy policy. < Back Maritime Transportation January 2026 U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background By Yosuke Yamashita At the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held from October 14 to 17, deliberations were expected to culminate in the adoption of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF)—a global framework aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. However, the framework was not adopted due to persistent divergence in members. Instead, the members agreed to convene another Extraordinary Session within a year to continue deliberations toward adoption. Prior to this session, the U.S. government had taken a firm stance against the NZF. In August, it issued an official statement opposing the framework, even hinting at potential retaliatory measures against supporting nations. Furthermore, on October 10, just before the IMO session, Washington reiterated its opposition, outlining specific retaliatory measures such as restrictions on port entry and visa issuance for seafarers of the countries supporting the framework. This report outlines (1) the overview of the IMO Net Zero Framework, (2) the U.S. government’s response to it, and (3) the policy background behind the U.S. position—particularly the recent shifts in U.S. energy policy. Download the Report

New technologies have made it possible to design and develop aircraft that can operate at altitudes never seen before. As demand increases, operation in Upper Class E airspace (defined as above 60,000 feet) is an opportunity for alternative traffic management approaches. Read how the FAA and NASA, along with those in the aviation industry, are making efforts to ensure safe and efficient operations at these great heights. < Back Civil Aviation Assessment for Utilizing Upper Class E Airspace in the United States By Yoshihiro Fujimaki New technologies have made it possible to design and develop aircraft that can operate at altitudes never seen before. As demand increases, operation in Upper Class E airspace (defined as above 60,000 feet) is an opportunity for alternative traffic management approaches. Read how the FAA and NASA, along with those in the aviation industry, are making efforts to ensure safe and efficient operations at these great heights. Download the Report

Maritime Analyst, Yasuhiro Okamoto, introduces the achievements of the Japan Coast Guard in providing foreign aid, as well as presenting challenges of doing so on with the plethora of international rules and organizations to take into account. < Back Maritime Transportation The Achievement and Challenge of the Japan Coast Guard in Giving Foreign Assistance By Yasuhiro Okamoto Maritime Analyst, Yasuhiro Okamoto, introduces the achievements of the Japan Coast Guard in providing foreign aid, as well as presenting challenges of doing so on with the plethora of international rules and organizations to take into account. Download the Report

In October 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule on pilot certification and flight standards for powered-lift aircraft, following the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June 2023. The FAA then released an updated version of its guidance on vertiports (airfields for vertical takeoff and landing) in December 2024. In April 2025, the FAA announced the selection of the operating entity for the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, which was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and enacted in May 2024. Furthermore, an executive order issued in June 2025 directed the establishment of an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. This report provides an overview of these recent U.S. government policy developments related to Advanced Air Mobility. < Back Civil Aviation August 2025 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 4 ~ Final Rule of the Powered-Lift SFAR, Revision of the Vertiport EB, Selection of the CAAT Operating Entity, and Direction to Establish the eIPP ~ By Shinichiro Tsuri In October 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule on pilot certification and flight standards for powered-lift aircraft, following the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June 2023. The FAA then released an updated version of its guidance on vertiports (airfields for vertical takeoff and landing) in December 2024. In April 2025, the FAA announced the selection of the operating entity for the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, which was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and enacted in May 2024. Furthermore, an executive order issued in June 2025 directed the establishment of an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. This report provides an overview of these recent U.S. government policy developments related to Advanced Air Mobility. Download the Report

This report is the first in a series on emerging Smart City trends in the West, outlining the history and relationship between Transit-oriented Development (TOD) and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and other emerging mobility services that are being applied in order to create sustainable cities based on public transportation. < Back Surface Transportation Survey of Smart City Trends in the West: Transit-oriented Development and Mobility-as-a-Service Part 1: Background and Purpose of this Survey By Akito Okabe This report is the first in a series on emerging Smart City trends in the West, outlining the history and relationship between Transit-oriented Development (TOD) and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and other emerging mobility services that are being applied in order to create sustainable cities based on public transportation. Download the Report

The two-day GAD Americas conference was held in Miami, Florida from June 1st to 2nd, 2023. The event was hosted by Aviation Week Network, a New York-based global think tank and information dissemination company in the aerospace, defense and aviation industries. Business leaders from aviation authorities, airport operators, banks and funds were invited to attend. In this paper, I will select and report on the event programs that I found to be particularly useful, with a focus on the sessions portion of the event. < Back Civil Aviation July 2024 GAD Americas 2023 Participation Report By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara The two-day GAD Americas conference was held in Miami, Florida from June 1st to 2nd, 2023. The event was hosted by Aviation Week Network, a New York-based global think tank and information dissemination company in the aerospace, defense and aviation industries. Business leaders from aviation authorities, airport operators, banks and funds were invited to attend. In this paper, I will select and report on the event programs that I found to be particularly useful, with a focus on the sessions portion of the event. Download the Report