Overview of the 2026 White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

After World War II, Japan developed major infrastructure and transportation networks, including roads, ports, Shinkansen lines, and airports, establishing a foundation for economic growth.

Given structural population decline and sluggish potential growth, the most important challenge for sustainable economic growth is not only increasing public and private capital investment, but also improving productivity to create high added value with limited human resources and time.

Part I provides an overview of infrastructure in the land, infrastructure, transport and tourism field from the perspective of economic growth and highlights policies and initiatives that contribute to productivity improvement.

The white paper envisions a future in which infrastructure raises productivity across Japan and enriches the lives of its people.

It presents the direction of initiatives expected in the land, infrastructure, transport and tourism field, taking into account how citizens and business operators view infrastructure.

Chapter 1 addresses Japan's economy and the importance of productivity improvement, the challenges of improving productivity through infrastructure, the current situation in international comparison, government policies, and the views of citizens and business operators.

Chapter 2 organizes new investment in infrastructure that accelerates growth, the use and restructuring of existing infrastructure, and the use of new technologies and other measures, and presents a desirable vision of society and prospects for a brighter future.

The overview was prepared by the Policy Planning Division of the Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.