Binational Relations Programs

Asia-Pacific Region

Japan

FHWA has actively participated in cooperative efforts with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) since 1992. There has been considerable U.S. - Japan cooperation in the area of intelligent transportation systems, and we have also maintained robust interactions between U.S. and Japanese bridge engineers. Cooperative activities have encompassed joint research, annual workshops, and field studies. FHWA works closely with MLIT's Road Bureau and the National Institute of Land, Infrastructure and Management (NILIM). Although there are some differences in background and methods, both countries share common challenges and solutions to their transportation issues. Areas of cooperation have included bridge design, maintenance and inspection, seismic design and retrofit, earthquake response and recovery, intelligent transportation systems, and others.

FHWA and Japan have held biennial bridge workshops for more than 30 years, with significant benefits to both countries. Several of these benefits include sharing and exchange of technologies for mutual benefits, cooperative research programs, professional networking and training, reconnaissance, response and recovery and hands-on learning related to seismic events. The most recent workshop was held in Japan in 2023.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of this successful collaboration, the Federal Highway Administration prepared a synthesis report documenting the results of the information exchanges. An article summarizing the collaboration was published in the May/June 2015 issue of Public Roads.

In October 2017, the importance of the relationship was reinforced when USDOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao and her Japanese counterpart, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that focuses on current and future trends in the transportation sector, common challenges, technological opportunities, and critical policy choices and strategies.