JITI 2009 Seminar on Sustainable Logistics What are economically feasible solutions for environmentally-friendly logistics? December 3, 2009 Washington Marriott at Metro Center 775 12th Street, N.W. Washington, DC As the new U.S. administration has stated, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an urgent need of the nation. The transportation sector which produces about 30% of the national total CO2 emissions can respond to this issue by setting up environmentally-friendly business practices. Significant opportunities may exist in logistics and the supply chain such as the improvement of efficiency of transporting goods and more effective logistics management by promoting modal shifts and educating truck drivers on ecological driving. This seminar explores the possibility of managing efficiency and environmentally friendliness in logistics through keynote speeches and a panel discussion involving experts from the U.S. and Japan. Through discussions of best practices in both countries, the seminar will seek economically feasible solutions that can have the greatest environmental benefits. As cooperation among each party related to the supply chain is necessary, viewpoints will be given from various parties including carriers, shippers, manufacturers, and the government. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Remarks Keynote Speeches Sarah Dunham Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (including SmartWay Program) Bio Randy Mullet Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Con-way Inc. (focus on Carrier/3PL perspective and future trends) Bio Presentation Sean T. Connaughton Corporate VP for Government Affairs, ABS, and former U.S. Maritime Administrator (focus on intermodal aspects of sustainable logistics) Bio Remarks Hiroshi Omino General Manager, Sales Department, Isuzu Motors Limited (focus on Eco-friendly Driving Program) Bio Presentation Akira Motomiya President, Corporate Logistics Unit,Fujitsu Limited (focus on efforts by shippers) Bio Presentation Panel Discussion Ayman Omar (Moderator) Assistant Professor, Kogod School of Business, American University Bio Sarah Dunham Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Randy Mullet Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Con-way Inc. Sean T. Connaughton Corporate VP for Government Affairs, ABS, and former U.S. Maritime Administrator Hiroshi Omino General Manager, Sales Department, Isuzu Motors Limited Ed Crawford Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. Bio Akira Motomiya President, Corporate Logistics Unit, Fujitsu Limited

JITTI Journal Cultural Article September 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2025 Cultural Article 110, 119 and Ten Other Speed Dials By Yuta Arai 911 is the emergency telephone number in the United States. In some U.S. cities, 311 is another speed dial that is also available. This is for non-emergency situations, and the same operator will respond with the understanding that the call has a lower priority. I will introduce 12 speed dials that we have in Japan. There are two emergency numbers in Japan: 110 for police and 119 for fire, rescue and ambulance services. In addition to these two well-known dials, Japan also has other three-digit speed dials designed to allow for reaching services quickly. Truth be told, Japanese people never remember all of them. 104 Telephone Directory Assistance (Service to be ended in March 2026) 110 Police 113 Telephone Malfunction 115 Telegram Service 116 Inquiry to Telephone Company 117 Time Inquiry 118 Coast Guard 119 Fire, Rescue and Ambulance 171 Disaster Emergency Message 177 Weather Forecast (Service ended in March 2025) 188 Consumer Hotline 189 Report Child Abuse Dialing 104 used to be a useful service when you knew the name and address of the person you wished to contact but didn't know their phone number. A telephone company would provide you with the phone number of the individual or company as listed in its directory. This service is still available but is no longer a major tool due to the ability for individuals to find such information through web searches and on their smartphones today. Dialing 110 connects you to the police directly. Of course, it is one of the most recognized numbers in Japan. Dialing 113 will connect you to the telephone service outage desk of your telephone company. You can report a phone outage there. It sounds a bit strange to think that using your phone to call 113 would work when your phone is out of order. Kids might believe that the telephone company uses magic to fix their phone problems remotely. However, the telephone company will advise you on repair methods and how to check line disconnections. Dialing 115 will allow you to send a telegram. Dialing 116 connects you to your telephone company's consultation center for setting up a new telephone line or relocating an existing one. Dialing 117 will provide you with the current, accurate time. Before we readily had smartphone displays at our fingertips, it was common to set your watch by listening to the exact time on your phone. Dialing 118 will directly call the Coast Guard. This is the emergency number for reporting maritime incidents and requesting rescue at sea. According to statics from the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the JCG received 399,781 calls in 2024. Of those, 394,989 were invalid calls such as wrong, prank or silent calls. So, in fact 98.8% of calls were inconsequential. Conversely, many lives have been saved at sea by dialing 118 as an essential lifeline. 119 is the number to call for a fire engine or ambulance, which are separated from police services. This, along with 110 for police, is one of the numbers with the most familiarity among the Japanese population nationwide. It would be useful if emergency speed dials were more widely recognized in Japan. While most people don't remember all of them, 171 is a particularly important one for Japanese people, who are often affected by disasters such as major earthquakes. When disasters occur, many people make simultaneous calls, making it difficult to get through on the phone. The Disaster Message Dial, 171, provides a means to record and play messages, allowing a place to discover whether family members are safe and confirm their locations during these difficult situations. 177 was discontinued in March 2025. This was a weather forecast service that provided a recorded and up-to-date weather forecast. As typhoons often approach Japan during the summer vacation season, this was a way to find out the weather at a travel destination. Older generations often speak of accidentally hearing the weather forecast when trying to find out the current time. The reverse was also true. Finally, dialing 188 connects to the consumer affairs consultation service, and dialing 189 connects to the child consultation center, which handles child abuse. Of the twelve described speed-dial numbers, 117 and 177 are notoriously the most confused with each other, and "What is the phone number for the weather forecast?" is a popular gag for many Japanese people. While Japan has many speed dial numbers for convenience and necessity, it's true that it can be difficult to remember them all. If you are traveling to Japan, try calling one of the speed dial numbers yourself, or try asking the above question to someone who has lived without a smartphone. I hope you never have to call 110, 119 or 118 for the Coast Guard while visiting Japan. Sources: ○NHK Enterprises, Inc.: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250403/k10014768771000.html ○NTT EAST, Inc.: https://web116.jp/phone/telephone/ ○Japan Coast Guard https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/kouhou/r7/k250115/k250115.pdf

In 2023, El Niño caused a significant drop in the water levels of Lake Gatun, leading to severe restrictions on the number of ships able to transit the Panama Canal. Despite its vast landmass, geographically isolated from the sea, the United States functions as a maritime nation, in line with Alfred Mahan’s theory of sea power, with the majority of its imports and exports relying on maritime routes. Consequently, the restrictions on Panama Canal transits that year had a substantial impact on the U.S. economy. For Japan, an undeniable sea power surrounded by ocean and dependent on maritime logistics for 99.6% of its trade, the Panama Canal is a crucial maritime route that directly affects its economic security. This paper will examine the recent developments concerning the Panama Canal and, drawing on insights that I’ve gained from working in Washington, will analyze the impact of sea lane vulnerabilities on U.S. economic security. < Back Maritime Transportation September 2024 A Study on the Impact of the Panama Canal’s Vulnerabilities on U.S. Economic Security By Daisuke Komatsu In 2023, El Niño caused a significant drop in the water levels of Lake Gatun, leading to severe restrictions on the number of ships able to transit the Panama Canal. Despite its vast landmass, geographically isolated from the sea, the United States functions as a maritime nation, in line with Alfred Mahan’s theory of sea power, with the majority of its imports and exports relying on maritime routes. Consequently, the restrictions on Panama Canal transits that year had a substantial impact on the U.S. economy. For Japan, an undeniable sea power surrounded by ocean and dependent on maritime logistics for 99.6% of its trade, the Panama Canal is a crucial maritime route that directly affects its economic security. This paper will examine the recent developments concerning the Panama Canal and, drawing on insights that I’ve gained from working in Washington, will analyze the impact of sea lane vulnerabilities on U.S. economic security. Download the Report

The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted its annual Energy on the Hill event on November 8, 2023, to launch its 19th Energy Security Report on “The Revenge of Energy Security: Reconciling Economy Security with Climate Ambitions.” The focus was on the Indo-Pacific region's efforts to navigate the twin challenges of immediate energy security needs and long-term climate goals, and set to explore this complex interplay considering the regional geopolitical dynamics and the pressing global need for sustainable energy solutions. < Back Maritime Transportation December 2023 Event Report: THE REVENGE OF ENERGY SECURITY By Daisuke Komatsu The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted its annual Energy on the Hill event on November 8, 2023, to launch its 19th Energy Security Report on “The Revenge of Energy Security: Reconciling Economy Security with Climate Ambitions.” The focus was on the Indo-Pacific region's efforts to navigate the twin challenges of immediate energy security needs and long-term climate goals, and set to explore this complex interplay considering the regional geopolitical dynamics and the pressing global need for sustainable energy solutions. Download the Report

This year's 2022 APTA Rail Conference addressed hot-button topics that, like in so many other businesses, has proliferated across the rail industry- including labor shortages, mental health, and shifting management styles. With the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowing greater room for changes and improvements, it is an exciting time to see how the rail industry will shape itself to match the concerns of this moment in history. < Back Surface Transportation APTA Rail Conference 2022 Participation Report By Akito Okabe This year's 2022 APTA Rail Conference addressed hot-button topics that, like in so many other businesses, has proliferated across the rail industry- including labor shortages, mental health, and shifting management styles. With the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowing greater room for changes and improvements, it is an exciting time to see how the rail industry will shape itself to match the concerns of this moment in history. Download the Report

Graduate Course Specifically Focused on Coast Guard Studies Graduate Course Specifically Focused on Coast Guard Studies by Yuta Arai Introduction This article introduces Japan’s international initiative to develop human resources in maritime law enforcement, specifically for the coast guard. The Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (MSP) is a master’s degree program jointly organized by the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and a co-working organization, The Nippon Foundation. It is designed for officers of coast-guard organizations in the Indo-Pacific region, all conducted entirely in English. Objectives and Background The MSP was launched in 2015 as a capacity-building program “to foster their abilities to formulate high-level maritime safety and security policy and effectively address global maritime challenges.” As maritime issues in Asia—such as drug-smuggling, illegal migration, and piracy—became increasingly complex and diverse, this program responds to a demand for professionals capable of addressing these international threats and contributing practically to maintaining maritime order. Through the program, participants will “acquire abilities to creatively formulate policy and effectively address maritime challenges.” The origin of the MSP lies in the Asia Coast Guard Junior Officers Course (AJOC), implemented by the JCG with the support of the Nippon Foundation from 2011. After three years of AJOC, the program evolved into its current form by integrating GRIPS’s academic and research expertise, with granting a master’s degree, and JICA’s financial and logistical support for learning, travel, and residence in Japan. Curriculum The MSP features an intensive one-year curriculum that balances theory and practice. The academic year is divided into three terms: First Term (October–March) – GRIPS, Tokyo The course begins at GRIPS, located in central Tokyo, where participants study the foundations of policy analysis. Core courses include International Relations, International Security Studies , and International Law of the Sea , while elective courses cover topics such as International Political Economy , Military Operations, Strategy and Policy , and Non-Traditional Security. Participants enhance their fundamental understanding of international relations through courses at GRIPS. They also engage in case studies and simulations, analyzing legal and operational aspects of maritime law enforcement practices. This allows them to develop a scientific approach to policy-making. Second Term (April–July) – JCG Academy, Hiroshima Participants continue their studies at the Japan Coast Guard Academy in Hiroshima, where the program then shifts to practical learning. Core subjects such as Maritime Police Policy and Policy for Search & Rescue, Salvage, and Maritime Disaster Prevention provide them with insights from JCG’s operational lessons at sea. Participants also experience exercises using patrol vessel simulators for ship maneuverability and practical operation like a commanding officer on board who is required to perform technical and analytical skills for decision-making at the scene. Third Term (August–September) – GRIPS, Tokyo During their summer program term, participants conduct field studies by visiting JCG bases and facilities nationwide. As a conclusion to the program, each participant writes a policy paper, equivalent to a master-degree thesis, based on an individually selected research topic. Upon completion, graduates receive the Master of Policy Studies degree from GRIPS. Achievements The significance of the MSP lies not only in individual capacity development but also in the creation of an international network among coast guard leaders. Since the graduation of the initial class of ten officers, the program will have produced 78 graduates as of September 2025, representing 11 countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Palau, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. These graduates now form a vertical and horizontal network that spans a decade, each serving as a leading player of their respective organizations. Some alumni now hold key leadership positions in their home organizations and actively contribute to sharing the value of rule-based order. This growing network serves as a driving force to promote the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and to strengthen regional maritime cooperation. Conclusion Japan’s commitment to international cooperation in this maritime law enforcement field directly contributes to secure maritime governance. The MSP has successfully produced a new generation of leaders who will shape the future of coast guard organization. Graduates are serving as a foundation for designing and legitimizing maritime rule-based order through its global alumni and enduring professional network. Given the growing complexity and instability of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the MSP initiative has proven indispensable—and their value will undoubtedly be recognized even more widely in the decade ahead. (Source) Japan Coast Guard Academy, “Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program” https://www.academy.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/education/organization/center/file/msp-pamphlet-en2022.pdf Japan Coast Guard, "Kaiho Journal vol.102" https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/doc/journal/kaiho-102_web.pdf Back to All JITTI Journals November 2025 Feature Article

LaGuardia Airport PPP is set against the backdrop of the world’s largest city for business, New York City. It is no overstatement to say that this is one of the world’s foremost PPP projects in anticipation of the ever-increasing demand for air travel. < Back Civil Aviation New York’s LaGuardia Airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara LaGuardia Airport PPP is set against the backdrop of the world’s largest city for business, New York City. It is no overstatement to say that this is one of the world’s foremost PPP projects in anticipation of the ever-increasing demand for air travel. Download the Report

JITTI Journal November 2021 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2021 Feature Article Overview of the Japanese Government's Tourism Policy for Foreign Tourists by Hirokazu Nishikawa 1. History of the Japanese Government’s Tourism Policy The Japanese government's tourism policy began in earnest in 2003. In January of that year, the then prime minister set a goal of doubling the number of foreign visitors to Japan by 2010 from the approximately 5 million at that time, followed by the launch of the “Visit Japan Campaign” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in April of the same year to strategically promote the Japanese brand overseas. The reason behind these moves by the government was that since 1964, when overseas tourism was liberalized, the number of Japanese tourists traveling abroad increased due to the strong yen and rising national income, while at the same time witnessing a significant gap between the number of Japanese tourists traveling abroad and that of foreign tourists visiting Japan. It is conceivable that the current situation is far from reaching the policy goal of the time, which was to "improve the international balance of cashflow and promote economic and cultural exchange with foreign countries.” The number of foreign visitors to Japan has been steadily increasing since 2003. In 2008 the Japan Tourism Agency was newly established as a bureau under MLIT, and in 2016 the government set a goal of achieving 40 million foreign visitors to Japan annually by 2020, further strengthening the system to achieve the aim of becoming a tourism-oriented country. Graph by Hirokazu Nishikawa (JITTI USA) via data from the Japan Tourism Agency In 2019, Japan was ranked 12th (3rd in Asia) in terms of the number of incoming foreign tourists (31.88 million), increasing its popularity as a tourist country and steadily growing its visitor numbers, but due to the coronavirus, was forced to significantly decrease its numbers the following year. 2.Outline of the Japanese Government's Tourism Policy for Foreign Tourists (Introduction of the FY2022 Budget Request) Since the spread of the COVID-19 virus, domestic and international tourism demand has decreased significantly, and the tourism industry has been severely affected. Against this backdrop, I would like to introduce some of the major policies aimed at improving the environment for and the gradual revival of inbound tourism within the budget outlined for the next fiscal year by the Japan Travel Agency, as follows. Emergency Project for Improving the Environment for Foreign Visitors Traveling to Japan In order to create an environment in which foreign visitors traveling to Japan can fully enjoy their trip in a stress-free and comfortable manner at tourist spots, accommodation facilities, and public transportation, and to create a safe and secure travel environment in case of emergencies such as disasters, the following measures will be supported: enhancement of multilingual tourist information provisions, development of free Wi-Fi services, dissemination of cashless transactions, promotion of barrier-free environments for disability accessibility, improvement of countermeasures against the COVID-19 virus, and strengthening of multilingual responses in case of emergencies. (Some examples of measures) Utilizing a contactless check-in system using Digital Transformation Signage in multiple languages Free Wi-Fi in transportation facilities and vehicles Image Source: Japan Tourism Agency Sustainable Tourism Promotion Project As the interest in sustainable tourism* is increasing worldwide, Japan will promote it, as well as addressing overtourism and carbon neutrality, by establishing a management system that can be used as a model across other regions in order to become the tourist destination of choice for travelers around the world. (*) The World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) definition of sustainable tourism: tourism that fully considers current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while responding to the needs of visitors, industries, the environment, and the communities that host them. As an example of efforts, by implementing the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D), a best-practice for sustainable tourism destination management has been developed and is being implemented nationwide. (Examples of overtourism in each region) Crowded and congested tourist spots (The two pictures on the left) Residents picking up trash left by tourists / Traffic obstruction in tourist areas (The two pictures on the right) Image Source: Japan Tourism Agency (The Role of these Guidelines) Use as a Self-Assessment Tool: a guideline for tourism policy making and tourism planning Use as a Communication Tool: an opportunity for the community to work together to create a sustainable region and tourist destination Use as a Promotional Tool: branding as a tourist destination and improving international competitiveness Implementation of Strategic Promotion for Foreign Tourists Focusing on a post-COVID-19 virus future, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will work on strategic promotion for inbound tourism to Japan in order for it to easily recovery, increase travel spending, and attract more visitors to regional areas. By doing these, Japan aims to achieve its goals of 60 million foreign visitors and 15 trillion yen in foreign travel spending by 2030. In particular, the following five measures will be taken. 1. Implementing promotions to stimulate the desire to revisit Japan among repeat visitors A large-scale campaign to stimulate the desire to revisit Japan will be conducted for repeat travelers in the Asian market, who are expected to resume visiting Japan at an early stage. In addition, JNTO will promote an increase in consumption by strengthening the dissemination of experiential tourism in local areas. 2. Strengthening promotions based on changes in demand due to Covid Promotions of experiences that are expected to have increased demand in the post- COVID-19 virus era, such as sports and adventure tourism, will be fortified to take into consideration local lifestyles and nature. 3. Thoroughly utilizing market-specific strategies based by country In order to strategically attract visitors from key markets to Japan, JNTO will accurately grasp the trends in each and conduct detailed promotions based on market-specific strategies. Specifically, in the Asian sector, since Japan is already well known as a travel destination, detailed promotions tailored to individual travel demands will be implemented. For the European, U.S. and Australian markets, the promotion will focus on appealing to interests such as attractive activities. 4. Bolstering dissemination of regional tourism offerings Consultations will be made to improve the quality of local attractions to meet post- COVID-19 demands and to advertise these regional offerings according to the needs of each market in order to interest tourists. 5. Strengthening digital marketing The foundations of digital marketing will be strengthened through collecting and analyzing the information obtained by foreign tourists from websites, etc. to effectively develop promotions. 3. Summary The initiatives introduced in the previous section are only a small part of the budgeted projects scheduled for the next fiscal year. The overall basic policy for next year's budget is to do its utmost to maintain employment and continue business operations, and to provide support for thorough measures that prevent the spread of infection. At the same time, the government will revitalize tourist attractions by renewing accommodation facilities and removing abandoned buildings, refine local tourism resources through cooperation with various stakeholders, and stimulate travel demand by supporting local tourism businesses. In the next fiscal year, it is necessary to realize a full-scale recovery of tourism that supports the local economy with an eye on the time post-COVID-19 virus, while taking all possible measures to ensure the survival of tourism areas and industries that are in danger. In addition, promotion of these efforts will continue, as well as those to increase the number of mid- to long-term visitors and repeat visitors, and content that will become the signature products of profitable regions will be created. In addition, necessary measures to cope with the COVID-19 virus will be considered in the budgeting process, taking into account the future infection situation and trends in tourism demand. The Go To campaign promoting domestic tourism, which was introduced in this journal last year, is not being considered in the initial budget for the next fiscal year, at least at this point. To read last year's article, please click here: JITTI Journal- November 2020 Feature Article. References Efforts and Challenges toward the Realization of a Tourism-oriented Nation Microsoft Word - 20130701048.docx ( sangiin.go.jp ) A Study on the Changes in Japan's Inbound Tourism Policy 268407547.pdf ( core.ac.uk ) Japan Tourism Agency 訪日外国人旅行者数・出国日本人数 | 統計情報 | 統計情報・白書 | 観光庁 ( mlit.go.jp ) スライド 1 ( nihon-kankou.or.jp ) ①.表紙・総括表_２ver2 ( mlit.go.jp ) Image Sources Japan Tourism Agency

Activities of Chinese Government Ships around the Senkaku Islands and the Japan Coast Guard's Response Activities of Chinese Government Ships around the Senkaku Islands and the Japan Coast Guard's Response by Yasuhiro Okamoto 1. Senkaku Islands Japan's territorial integrity after World War II was legally established in the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which came into effect in 1952. Under the treaty, the Senkaku Islands were not included in the territories abandoned by Japan, but were placed under the administration of the United States as part of Japan's Nansei Islands. Later, in 1972, the Okinawa Reversion Agreement between Japan and the United States regarding the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands included the Senkaku Islands in the area returned to Japan. These facts indicate that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory. The Senkaku Islands have been consistently treated as Japan's territory in the postwar order and international law system. A map of the Senkaku Islands (Cited from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 2. China's Movements over the Senkaku Islands On May 7, 2008, during their official visit to Japan, President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda signed a joint statement between the Government of Japan and the Government of China to comprehensively promote the “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests,” recognizing that Japan-China relations are one of the most important bilateral relations for both countries and that they have great influence and a solemn responsibility for the peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world. However, six months later, on December 8th of the same year, two Chinese government ships suddenly intruded Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands for the first time, and despite repeated requests from the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels to leave and protests through diplomatic channels, they wandered and drifted into Japanese territorial waters for about nine hours until the evening of that same day. China's new stance on the Senkaku Islands, in which Chinese government ships navigate with the clear intention of infringing on Japan's sovereignty and attempt to change the status quo by force, has become clear. The collision of Chinese fishing vessels (Image Source: Jiji Press Ltd.) After the collision of Chinese fishing vessels in Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands on September 7, 2010, Chinese government ships began to sail in the waters around the Senkaku Islands with greater frequency than before, and there were incidents of two vessels intruding into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in August 2011, one in March 2012, and four in July of the same year. In addition, on September 11, 2012, Japan transferred ownership of three of the Senkaku Islands from private citizens to the State under civil law, and on and after September 14, 2012, Chinese government ships began to enter the connected waters almost every day except for days with stormy weather. On December 22, 2015, it was confirmed for the first time that Chinese government ships, which were clearly equipped with a machine gun, entered the EEZ, and since December 26, there have also been incursions into territorial waters. China’s provocation have been escalating, as the chart below shows. The numbers of Chinese government and other vessels that have entered Japan's contiguous zone or intruded into the territorial sea surrounding the Senkaku Islands The numbers of Chinese government and other vessels that have entered Japan's contiguous zone or intruded into the territorial sea surrounding the Senkaku Islands (Cited from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 3. Actions and Efforts of the Japan Coast Guard In 2016, the Japanese government decided on the "Policy on Strengthening the Coast Guard System," and based on this ruling, it has been making steady efforts to enhance and strengthen the ability of the Japan Coast Guard. The commandant of the Japan Coast Guard announced that in the budget for the fiscal year 2021 the government will continue to upgrade large patrol vessels and other equipment for guarding the Senkaku territorial waters. In addition, in order to secure and develop human resources, the Japan Coast Guard will expand their education and training facilities, including the construction of a large training ship for Japan Coast Guard trainees, and promote initiatives to maintain and strengthen maritime order, such as contributing to the capacity building activities in related countries. Lastly, the situation around the Senkaku Islands continues to be tense, with Chinese government ships attempting to interfere with Japanese fishing boats fishing in the area. Therefore, it will be important for the Japan Coast Guard to continue to respond appropriately and for the US and other like-minded countries to work together to deal with China against their attempts of changing the status quo by force. Image Sources: Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jiji Press Ltd. Back to All JITTI Journals July 2021 Feature Article

JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2023 Cultural Article Oshiro – Japanese Castles by Shinichiro Tsuri 1. Background Have you ever visited Japanese castles, called “oshiro” in Japanese? If you are interested in architecture or the history of Japan, castles may be one of the recommended spots to visit if you travel there. While various types of fortresses have been built since ancient times in Japan, the number of castles significantly increased during the Sengoku period (15th - 16th century), in which independent feudal lords fought each other over their land and resources. Due to factors such as Ikkoku Ichijo Rei (Decree of One Castle per Province) in the Edo period (1603 - 1867) and bombing during World War II, most of the castles were destroyed and currently there are only 12 castles towers (called “tenshu”) remaining that were built before or during the Edo period. 2. Example of a Japanese Castle – Himeji Castle Himeji Castle, which is in my hometown, was registered in 1993 as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan and is one of the most famous castles among the 12 mentioned above. Since a fort was built on the top of Himeyama hill located in Harima Province (southwestern part of current Hyogo Prefecture) in the mid-14th century, it has been rebuilt and expanded, and the castle we see today was mostly erected during major construction in the early 17th century. Castle tower of Himeji Castle (by Shinichiro Tsuri) Elements and Areas of the Castle Speaking of Japanese castles, castle towers may come to mind first. However, castles typically consist of structures such as moats, (stone) walls, gates, and turrets in addition to castle towers. Territories bounded by moats and walls are called “kuruwa.” Himeji Castle has three layers of moats (the inner moat, middle moat, and outer moat) and kuruwas are surrounded by each moat (inner kuruwa, middle kuruwa, and outer kuruwa). The inner kuruwa, containing castle towers and the feudal lord’s residence, is the core of Himeji Castle. While the middle kuruwa was mainly assigned as the residences of upper- and middle-class vassals, the residences of lower-class vassals and townspeople were located in the area of the outer kuruwa, which formed the castle town of Himeji. The total area within the outer kuruwa surrounded by the outer moat reaches about 2.33 million square meters. Castle Tower – Symbol of the Castle A castle tower, also called “tenshu,” is symbolic architecture of the castle. While a castle tower in Japanese castles has a military function as a weapons store, its main purpose is to show wealth and power of the feudal lord. Himeji Castle has a coalition type castle tower comprising of a main castle tower and three small castle towers located on stone walls which are connected to each other with corridor turrets. Himeji Castle is often called “Shirasagi-jo” ( White Egret Castle) since its elegant white body appears to be a flying egret. Defensive Features As a military facility, Japanese castles have not only beautiful appearances, but also many features to defend against enemies. For example, you can see a number of unique shaped holes in the walls of Himeji Castle. They are called “sama” (loophole), which allows defenders to fire on attackers with arrows and firearms without exposing themselves; rectangular ones are for arrows (called “yazama”), and round, triangular, and square ones are for firearms (called “teppo-sama”). The white plaster covering Himeji Castle is used to enhance its fire resistance in addition to providing an elegant white appearance. The route leading to the main castle tower is winding, just like a labyrinth; attackers are trapped by dead-ends and confused by a downward slope that gives the impression that they are going the wrong way. Furthermore, attackers are forced to slow down and be exposed to defenders by multiple gates including ones with a low ceiling arranged on the route. Sama of Himeji Castle ( 姫路城の狭間（射撃用の穴） by Takobou is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 ) 3. Castle and Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace, located in the center of Tokyo, is the main place of residence for the Emperor of Japan. Whereas it is called the “imperial palace,” its features more closely resemble that of a feudal lord’s castle, as was explained above, such as moats, stone walls, and turrets. The reason this happened goes back to 1868, when Emperor Meiji moved to Tokyo from Kyoto following the Meiji Restoration. The Tokugawa shogunate was overthrown and their headquarters at Edo Castle turned into the new residence of Emperor Meiji. The original residence is still remaining in Kyoto, which is now called the Kyoto Imperial Palace – it does not have moats, stone walls, or turrets. It may be interesting to compare both imperial palaces in Tokyo and Kyoto keeping the features of Japanese castle in mind, if you ever have a chance to visit Japan. The Imperial Palace ( Seimon Ishibashi Bridge, Imperial Palace, Tokyo by . Ray in Manila is licensed under CC BY 2.0 ) The Kyoto Imperial Palace ( Imperial Palace by Daniel Gerhard is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Mandatory Registration of Unmanned Aircraft in Japan Mandatory Registration of Unmanned Aircraft in Japan by Yoshihiro Fujimaki 1. Background and Overview One of the major problems currently occurring with inappropriate flights by Unmanned Aircraft (UA) is that the aircraft cannot be identified and so appropriate and necessary safety measures cannot be taken against the owner of the UA when needed. In addition, because the use of UAs has been on the rise due to such factors as the growing shortage of personnel in the logistics and security industries, the increasing demand for survey and investigation flights over wide areas, and the creation of business models that utilize UAs in remote island and depopulated mountainous regions, it is becoming extremely important to know who is the owner of each UA. Based on the above circumstances, like other countries, registration of UAs will be mandatory in Japan from June 20, 2022. This is based on an amendment of the Civil Aviation Act, and the bill was approved by the National Diet of Japan in June 2020.  From June 20, 2022, most UAs will have to be marked with a registration ID to identify them, and also be fitted with a remote ID function. UAs which will be excluded from these requirements are limited to those weighing less than 100 grams. Meanwhile, UAs which weigh equal to or less than 0.55 pound (about 250 grams) are excluded from similar requirements in the United States. This point is one major item that is different between the US and Japan and is not to be overlooked. Image Source: Handbook for Unmanned Aircraft Registration published by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau 2. How to Register The application for registration can be done online or by submitting necessary physical documents. It is required to enter/complete the information such as the name and address of the owner and the user of the UA, as well as the manufacturer and model of the UA in the application. Even if a UA has been registered in a foreign country, that UA has to be registered based on the Civil Aviation Act for it to be flown in Japan. The registration of the UA is subject to strict identification of the owner. This process can be done online or by postal mail. In the case that the owner is an individual resident of Japan, an individual number card, Japanese driver’s license or Japanese passport is required for online identity verification. In the case that the owner is a foreign individual who does not have a residence in Japan, a copy of the passport of the owner plus a copy of a document issued by a public institution that verifies the name, address, and date of birth of the owner are required to be sent by postal mail. The identity verification process may take 1-5 days after the documents arrive. Once the identity verification has been completed, information for fee payment is notified by email. The registration fee varies by application method, and is between 900 Japanese Yen (about 8 US dollars) and 2,400 Japanese Yen (about 20 US dollars). In 1-5 days after the fee payment, the registration ID will be issued to the UA. This registration ID must be clearly visible on the UA with marker and stickers, with the marking font being at least 3mm in the case of aircraft weighing less than 25 kg. The registration ID also has to be registered to remote ID equipment using a dedicated smartphone application. Please refer to the next section about the remote ID.Registration of the UA is valid for 3 years, therefore re-registration is required every 3 years. Image Source: the website of Drone/UAS Information Platform System (DIPS) 3. Remote ID Remote ID (RID) is a function that transmits identification information remotely via radio waves. A UA must be equipped with this RID function to fly, except for special cases such as flying over specific areas which are notified in advance to the government and with necessary safety measures taken. In Japan, similarly to the US, RID equipment is classified into a built-in type or an external (attached) type. But, while there are some differences of information between the built-in type (Standard RID) and external type (RID Broadcast Module) in the US, information from both types of RID equipment is the same in Japan. That information includes the registration ID and serial number of the UA, and dynamic information such as location, speed, altitude and time more than once per second, but does not include information about the owner or user. Information from RID equipment can be received by anyone using an appropriate smartphone or receiver. Law enforcement officers can trace the information of the owner and the user of the UA based on received information of its registration ID. 4. Special Reminder to Tourists Who Plan to Fly UAs in Japan As described in section 2, even if a UA has been registered in a foreign country, that UA has to be registered based on the Civil Aviation Act for it to be flown in Japan. The registration process may take more than 1 week, therefore that period should be taken into account. Also, using radio equipment which does not have the Japanese Technical Conformity Mark may be regarded as illegal to use in Japan, even if that equipment is based on a foreign standard. In addition, there are several flight rules to be followed. Please refer the JCAB website for details. Japanese Technical Conformity Mark for radio equipment JCAB website Image Resources: Handbook for Unmanned Aircraft Registration published by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Drone/UAS Information Platform System (DIPS) JCAB website Back to All JITTI Journals May 2022 Feature Article

The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector by Yasuhiro Okamoto 1. The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector  The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has made a massive impact on almost every sector of the economy and, without exception, the shipping industry has also been in the middle of economic turbulence. According to the media, container traffic at China’s biggest ports (Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Tianjin, Dalian, and Qingdao) fell for two weeks in a row in early April after a drop in overseas orders for the nation’s exports [Leng, 2020] The causes for decreased container traffic were that many companies started cutting back orders and postponing the delivery of goods due to the coronavirus, and shipping companies also reduced their capacities. For example, Ocean Network Express has announced revised schedules since February to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. 2. The Situation of the Port of Los Angeles Like China’s main ports, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest in the US by both container volume and cargo value. However, while it has faced a similar situation to China, the Port of Los Angeles has also encountered other unfavorable circumstances around container traffic at their port. The table below shows the container counts (TEUs) for the Port of Los Angeles, which were last recorded in March. As we can easily imagine, the total volume of containers in March largely decreased compared to the previous year. In particular, containers to the Port of Los Angeles from nations in the Pacific Ocean and from China account for the biggest portion of reduced shipments. The Chinese government has introduced various preventive measures to suppress the expansion of coronavirus, and has also slowed down economic activity. In April, there were signs of economic recovery in China, and factories restarted operations and resumed exporting goods. On the other hand, because of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, city lockdowns and curfews have led to closures of freight warehouses, and freights have been left without being picked up at these locations. Additionally, in conjunction with the decline of shipping capacity, empty containers have piled up without being returned to Asia (China). Therefore, the Port of Los Angeles has overflowed with uncollected and empty containers 3. The Issue of Cost Burden Another significant issue caused by the coronavirus for the shipping industry is determining who shall bear the additional cost to vessels from quarantine restrictions or delays while waiting for port authorities to grant clearance to enter port. Many owners of cargo vessels have now asserted that the force majeure clause is applicable in cases of detention or delay of cargo caused by the coronavirus. Consequently, owners of cargo vessels and shipping companies have entered into severe disputes. To avoid this, Japan P&I Club has recommended to include infectious disease clauses that are comprehensive and clearly allocate rights and responsibilities in the event of an outbreak to Time and Voyage Charterparties, which have been produced by BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council). 4. Comments The cost of freight cargo shipments has not changed much from February to March, and it’s clear that the decline in freight capacity has contributed these locked rates. Additionally, the issue of empty containers in many ports may be a potential hindrance for a smooth recovery of the global economy. Also, as I mentioned before, owners of cargo ships have faced an increase of container storage and drayage costs. Furthermore, owners must negotiate with shipping companies to share costs caused by the delay. We may see harmful repercussions of these issues reflected in our economic activities. References Leng, S. (2020, 4 15). Coronavirus: container traffic at China’s top eight ports plunges in early April as pandemic hits overseas orders. Retrieved from South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3080041/coronavirus-container-traffic-chinas-top-eight-ports-plunges  The Port of Los Angeles. (2020, 4 10). Container Statistics . Retrieved from https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics Back to All JITTI Journals May 2020 Feature Article