ABSTRACT
Japaneseseaportsarerepresentativeofchangesinthecountry's economyandshiftsinmajorregionaldevelopmentissuessincethe PacificWar.Initially,thesemaritimeterminalswererehabilitatedas partofJapan'spost-warrestoration(1945-59).Theperiod1960-75was oneofdramaticeconomicgrowthduringwhichseaportsbecamethe focusofcoastalindustrialcomplexes(kombinato).Theirimportanceas industrialzonesdiminishedfollowingtheoilcrisisoftheearly1970s,
and their domestic distribution, storage and commercial functions were emphasized during the period of stable economic growth (1976-84). Since 1985, they have taken on additional roles in urban redevelopment, 'life activity' and maritime leisure (e.g., marinas and cruise terminals) as part of a planned development of the waterfront and creation of offshore artificial islands Gapan, Ministry of Transport, Ports and Harbours Bureau, 1991, 1992; Nihon, Unyusho Kowanbu, 1991). In this chapter their development during the critical fifteen years of highspeed growth is examined.
