7th Report of Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 18, 2002)

4-(1) Simplifying documents attached to application for permit to carry tall containers

1. Complainant: Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

3. Complaint:

Every time we carry a so-called high cube container, we have to apply for a permit for each vehicle to travel roads by attaching a map of the travel route (route map) based on Article 47-2 of the Road Law.
However, in Japan, the roads on which a vehicle carrying a high cube container can travel have already been specified. Moreover, roads are not frequently specified as such. (Even if they are, the information can be easily obtained at the office responsible for the road administration.) Therefore, the documents necessary for the application in question should be reviewed and simplified in such a way to obviate the need to attach a route map.

4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:

Vehicles carrying a high cube container for sea-transportation can travel the prescribed roads if it has obtained a right-of-way permit for special motor vehicle. When applying for a permit, a route map has to be attached to the application, which the road administrator checks along with a travel table in screening the application.
With regard to the omission of a route map in applying for right-of-way permit for special motor vehicle carrying a high cube container for sea-transportation, the ministry will study the matter comprehensively by taking into accounts the nature of the procedures for designated route, the actual situation of control by the road administrator, and measures ensuring the observance of the right-of-way permit.

5. Remarks
The complainant accepted this policy.