The Japan coastal ferry system

Abstract

This paper provides analysis of the medium- and long-distance ferry sectors in Japan. Data has been obtained from semi-structured interviews with ferry operators, port authorities, government officials and from secondary sources. The Japanese ferry industry is assessed on the basis of a range of criteria, including routes and operators, traffic flows, vessels, ports and modal competition. Today, approximately one in every four trucks travelling over distances in excess of 100km in Japan are carried by ferry, and this notwithstanding the alternative of an expanding expressway system. There are clearly lessons here for other countries with long coastlines and congested highways. Many ferry operators in Japan are nevertheless unable to make a profit and clearly there will have to be action taken to secure the future of the industry in the face of high crew costs and competition from low-cost trucking. A potential future opportunity may exist for Japanese ferry lines to extend services to other parts of Asia. Given the success of the European ferry sector as a result of the Single European Market, and pending continued economic cooperation in Asia, potential for any expansion of ferry links between Japan and its near neighbours needs to be evaluated.