128th World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29)

Road Transport Bureau, MLIT Press Release

November 13, 2002

Mr. Nakayama, Director-General of Engineering and Safety Department, speaks on Japan's efforts at WP29

As expectations grow for the harmonization of international vehicle regulations, Mr. Nakayama, Director-General of Engineering and Safety Department, Road Transport Bureau, MLIT, attended the 128th World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe being held from November 12. In his speech at the opening session, Mr. Nakayama emphasized Japan's efforts for the harmonization of vehicle regulations and the development of mutual certification system, and explained Japan's standpoint on this issue (See Attached Sheet 1 for the outline of the speech). In response to the speech, the chairman of WP29, EU (European Commission), the Secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles) expressed their appreciation of Japan's past contribution to the harmonization of vehicle regulations and its positive stance on it. Recently, the forum had agreed upon some draft Global Technical Regulations (GTR) on vehicle categories and other common tasks, which, when adopted, would be the first GTR based on the UN Agreement Concerning the Establishment of Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, etc. (1998 Agreement).
<Outline of the 128th WP29> Date: From November 12 to 15 Place: Geneva, UN European headquarters

For further information, contact: Mr. Onoda or Mr. Kawai Engineering Planning Division, Engineering and Safety Department, Road Transport Bureau, MLIT Phone: 03-5253-8111 (Ext. 42256), 03-5253-8592 (Direct)

(Attachment 1)

Speech at WP29 by the Director-General of Engineering and Safety Department

Thank you Mr.Chairman, I'm Nakayama from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japan. It is indeed a great privilege and an honor for me to attend this WP29 session and give this address. Today, I would like to speak about our position on the activities in the world forum of harmonization of vehicle regulations, WP29. In accordance with development of international distribution of vehicles, Japan had thought it essential to promote international harmonization of automotive regulations, and considered WP29 was the best place to discuss this issue. We have much contributed to the promotion of international harmonization through taking an active part in WP29, establishing JASIC and so on. As it is expressed in the recent speech of the automobile industries, the interests in the promotion of international harmonization are newly increasing. Based on this situation, Japan will contribute to liven the activities in WP29. Since its accession to the 1958 Agreement in 1998, Japan has promoted international harmonization of automotive regulations and, so far, has applied 21 ECE regulations. Japan plans to apply approximately 30 regulations in the order of priority by the end of Fiscal 2003, taking into consideration domestic and international demands for harmonization and its economical effects, while Japan continues to commit to keep levels of Japanese safety and environmental regulations. Thereafter, Japan will keep working on applying regulations step by step and actively propose to amend the regulations to apply it. We'd appreciate the cooperation of the member countries. Japan currently takes a leading role in developing new GTRs on the pedestrian safety, OBD and "Common Tasks" under 1998 Agreement, which, I believe, has very important role because it is aiming at establishing global regulations. Works on pedestrian safety and OBD have been started this year, and draft GTR on "Common Tasks" has already been agreed by informal group. Japan will actively continue to take part in this work. We'd appreciate the cooperation of the member countries. The new activities concerning ITS is also very important, because ITS technologies are entering into a phase of commercialization and these technologies need to quickly be put into market without hindering road safety. I am really glad we have started discussion in order for these technologies to be introduced properly, and I hope there will be a lively and fruitful discussion. I also hope to be approached based on the new idea, independent of the conventional framework and measures, such as the discussion on the draft regulations in existing subsidiary bodies. I would like to also touch on the situation in Asia. Asian countries show more and more interest in WP29 and some countries actually participate in WP29 and others even start studying the accession to the agreements. Japan really welcomes these moves and, as one of Asian countries, Japan will contribute to liven these moves by sharing Japanese experience with those countries. As for the international meeting on EFV to be held next January in Tokyo, I'd like to express our gratitude to Mr. Gauvin for his scheduled participation in this meeting as a chairman of the WP29. This meeting aims at promoting the solution of environmental problems such as air pollution and global warming caused by automobiles. We expect the cordial cooperation of member countries toward the success of this meeting. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.