Shipping Ports in Japan: There are 1020 ports in Japan, 22 of which are main ports of special purpose, 106 main ports and 892 local ports. Most frequently port-managing organizations are city municipalities (395 ports) or prefecture administrations (619 ports). The development of most significant for economics Japanese ports financed 2/3 by government means, the remaining part financed by port-managing organizations.
Ministry of land infrastructure and transport in Japan can provide with stock capital for the securities that issued by port-managing organizations if the project that carried into effect is important on the state scale. Port managing organizations prepare port development plans.
City municipalities accomplish territorial planning. Port territory utilization, change of purpose or assimilation of new territories always foreseen in the city detailed plan. Port investment projects estimated on the economic aspect, most frequently without financial estimation. The aim is not to gain profit from the port activity but broader influence on the economy while estimating the relationship between costs and profit. Impressive projects being put into practice in all visited ports:
Kobe Port:
In Kobe port the whole activity concentrated on made-up islands, i.e. Port Island (the beginning of formation the year 1965 – the first in Japan) and Rokko Island (1982). The territories between piers situated in the old port on the coast strewed forming new territories that are generally of non-industrial purpose: office buildings, parks, and dwelling houses. The state invests in the main infrastructure, breakwaters, capital dredging, greatest berths the city generally in the formation of territory, berths, covers, cranes that load cargo to the ships.
Osaka Port:
Osaka port develops similarly as in Kobe port (as well as the other major ports – Tokyo, Jokohama). Large islands formed that used for both port activity and other purposes (entertainments, business and dwelling districts). Contracts concerning the usage of new terminals signed before the construction works. Tenders organized where the members of the commission the representatives of ministries, city and educational institutions. For example, in the case of the terminal that visited, the winner has become the only one participant (Evergreen), that later invested in the cranes mounted on container reloading sites. Length of berth of the terminal – 300 m, depth of the territory (maximum distance from the berth) 600m.
Tokyo Port:
Tokyo astonishes with its extensive port development scale: 300 billion yens invested in the protective berths of one island, it planned to increase the port island up to 400 hectares.
Detail of Major Japanese Ports:
Port of Hakata:
A major industrial port on the western side of Japan. Overview, history and facilities information.
Port of Kawasaki:
An industrial port located between Tokyo and Yokohama, in the Keihin Industrial Zone.
Port of Kitakyushu:
The Port with major connections to Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian, Seoul and Tokyo.
Port of Kobe:
One of the biggest hub ports with large container terminals. Information on restoration from the earthquake.
Port of Maizuru:
Situated on the Sea of Japan coast, near Kyoto. Comprehensive information on history and facilities.
Port of Nagoya:
A major industrial port with international connections. Overview, statistics and facilities information.
Port of Osaka:
Provides information on passenger vessels, ferry terminal, container terminal, sea and land access, maps, and related facilities.
Port of Shimonoseki:
Basic information on this commercial port facing the Kanmon Channel.
Port of Tokyo:
Gives outline and characterisitics of the port, products frequently moved through, map and passenger ship terminal, and business information.
Port of Yokkaichi:
Industrial port located near Nagoya. Basic information and statistics.
Port of Yokohama:
Shipping Ports in Japan: One of Japan’s oldest ports with news, profile, history, statistics, schedule, photos, tariffs, and cargo handling data.
Port of Yokosuka:
Located at the entrance of Tokyo Bay. History, outline and basic information about its facilities.
Ports of Aomori:
Basic information on ports in Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of the Honshu island.
Ports of Chiba:
Port business promotional site with facilities and descriptions of Chiba port activities.
Ports of Ibaraki:
General information on the industrial ports in Ibaraki Prefecture, including Hitachinaka, Hitachi, Oarai and Kashima.
Yokohama Port Development Public Corporation:
Constructed, leases and manages port terminals and oversees services. With overview, statistics, observation facilities, future plans, and links.
