Fiscal 2013 White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism was approved at the cabinet meeting on July 1. With the theme of “Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Infrastructure,” the paper sets the desired system to address aging infrastructure and proposes necessary measures such as utilizing existing infrastructure for multi-purpose, promoting private participation and inviting future workforce.
The survey conducted on 3,000 citizens revealed 76% expressed concern about future state of infrastructure, which reached more than twice of the result three years ago. The ministry analyzed the result saying that a 2011 multiple-fatal collapse in the tunnel on Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture triggered growing anxiety.
Questionnaires collected from construction industry identified problems regarding to maintenance and repair works of infrastructure, which included restricted working hours, shortage of technicians and lack of information such as original blue prints and repair history.
Under these circumstances, the paper points three keywords for policies to be taken in the future; Use Wisely, Support by All and Foresee Ahead. (2014/07/03)