Chapter 9: Advancing DX and Technology R&D
Overview
Chapter 9 of the MLIT White Paper, “Advancing DX and Technology R&D,” consists of five sections: “Enhancing and Streamlining through DX,” “Promoting Innovation through the Use of Digital Technology,” “Advancing Technology R&D,” “Improving Construction Management Technology,” and “Developing Technologies for Construction Machinery and Mechanical Equipment.” The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is advancing the digitization of administrative procedures and documents, data integration, and the use of technology in infrastructure, transport, urban development, and disaster prevention. It is also supporting research and development, promoting the use of new technologies in public works, and improving construction management. Under i-Construction 2.0, the goal is to reduce the workforce required at construction sites by at least 30% and increase productivity 1.5 times by fiscal year 2040. The target for autonomous service vehicles is 10,000 by fiscal year 2030.
Key points
- MLIT is advancing the digitization of its administration and infrastructure across a wide range of fields.
- i-Construction 2.0 aims to reduce the workforce required at construction sites by at least 30% and increase productivity 1.5 times by fiscal year 2040.
- The fiscal year 2030 target for autonomous service vehicles used for buses, taxis, and trucks is 10,000 vehicles.
- MLIT supports research and development and promotes the deployment of new technologies in society and their use in public projects.
Overview
Chapter 9, “Advancing DX and Technology R&D,” consists of five sections: “Enhancing and Streamlining through DX,” “Promoting Innovation through the Use of Digital Technology,” “Advancing Technology R&D,” “Improving Construction Management Technology,” and “Developing Technologies for Construction Machinery and Mechanical Equipment.” In its administration, MLIT is digitizing administrative procedures and documents, using data to formulate policies, and making data openly available.
In technology policy, MLIT formulated the “Sixth MLIT Technology Basic Plan.” Its goal is to build a sustainable and resilient society and create a safe, secure, and prosperous future by establishing an innovation ecosystem.
Impact
ITS road traffic information services improve driver convenience and help reduce environmental impacts, including CO2 emissions, by improving fuel efficiency. The spread of ETC has nearly eliminated toll plaza congestion and also helps reduce environmental impacts.
Autonomous driving is considered effective in reducing traffic accidents, sustaining and improving local public transport, and addressing driver shortages. DX in buildings and urban development aims to improve city planning and disaster prevention and create new services through the social implementation of three-dimensional digital twins.
Details
In infrastructure, MLIT uses ICT and other technologies from surveying and measurement through design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and renewal. i-Construction 2.0 is advancing automation at construction sites, including remote and automated construction and labor-saving rebar inspections. In fiscal year 2025, trials of remote construction began on 42 directly managed projects. MLIT is also developing the MLIT Data Platform and promoting the use of open data.
For administrative procedures, MLIT is expanding online vehicle ownership procedures through OSS and added periodic inspections and other procedures for small motorcycles in April 2025. In autonomous driving, it subsidized 67 local government projects in fiscal year 2025. For geospatial information, it is developing and updating the Digital Japan Basic Map and other resources and promoting use of the GSI Maps. PLATEAU has developed 3D city models for about 300 cities nationwide and has worked on developing more than 100 use cases.
Of the optical fiber managed by the national government for river and road administration, approximately 18,000 km of fiber cores were made available to private businesses and others, with applications opening in November 2025. In water management and national land conservation, MLIT is establishing infrastructure to collect, integrate, and analyze basin data, improving flood forecasts and disaster information and making water supply and sewerage maintenance more efficient. It is also digitizing and sharing information through Cyber Port for ports, xROAD for roads, and the urban transport survey platform.
Research and development is supported through programs including the SBIR Construction Technology R&D Grants, the Transportation Technology Development Promotion Program, and the SBIR Phase 3 Fund. In fiscal year 2025, work was undertaken on a total of 4 projects under the Comprehensive Technology Development Project. MLIT promotes the use of new technologies in public works; as of January 2026, about 3,900 technologies were registered in NETIS. BIM/CIM has generally been applied to directly managed civil engineering services and construction projects since fiscal year 2023.