TAKEUCHI yuji

South Korea ranks seventh globally in container cargo handling, whereas Japan does not hold a comparable position among leading countries. This study aims to analyze the status of global maritime container cargo, examine the relationship between maritime container ports in Japan and South Korea, and provide insights into Japan's current situation. Although the global logistics metric is primarily based on container cargo volume (TEU), Japan’s unique industrial characteristics result in significant imports of coal, oil, iron ore, and grain—commodities unsuited to container transport—and exports of passenger vehicles. Consequently, Japan's contribution to global competitiveness in this area is limited. Meanwhile, global port development trends focus on accommodating larger vessels and enhancing container cargo transport technologies. However, Japanese ports face limitations, as the world’s largest container ships cannot dock due to depth constraints, making it difficult to attract primary-route vessels. Furthermore, Japan’s stagnant economy necessitates prioritizing feeder services.