A recent interim report compiled by a Japanese government panel to promote the deregulation of Japanese port services falls far short of achieving the goal of modernizing and revitalizing the country's harbor transport industry, according to a written statement issued by the United States Thursday.
Although the U.S. welcomed the move by the Transport Ministry to accept public comments, the interim report fails to include measures to bring competition into the port transport industry and thus improve economic efficiency at ports, according to the statement.
In the paper, the U.S. suggests eight items the panel should include in its final recommendations. The measures include allowing maritime transport companies to operate their own facilities and obtain stevedoring services from other service providers such as third party logistics firms.
The U.S. is also urging that the final recommendations include a timetable for implementation and a deadline to complete all deregulation measures.
Last month, a subcommittee of the Council for Transport Policy wrapped up the interim report that included deregulation measures such as adopting the notification system of port service fees, instead of the current approval system, at major national ports.