Private prospects

摘要

Stiff competition is forcing Japan to rethink some of its ports practises. The Hibiki Container Terminal project is the first to introduce a private terminal operator to the country and further options for port privatisation are being considered elsewhere. Michael Dixon investigates Japanese ports are suffering on the home front from the ongoing recession and the lack of economic growth. High costs have forced the country's manufacturers to relocate to cheaper venues. Many factories once located in Japan moved to Korea and Taiwan in the 1960s and 1970s and more recently to China and Vietnam, looking for cheaper production costs.