Public interest activities & Additional services

NKKK works to ensure the safe transport of dangerous goods by sea and prevent marine pollution and casualties. With support from The Nippon Foundation, we conduct research on the safe transport of dangerous goods and special cargo. We have established the “International Standards Review Committee for Maritime Transport of Dangerous Goods,” comprising academic experts and industry specialists, along with several specialized subcommittees. These committees respond to deliberations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London and the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG) in Geneva.

Response to IMO-Related Committees

International standards for the safe transport of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, and marine containers at sea are stipulated in the SOLAS Convention, IMDG Code (packaged dangerous goods), IMSBC Code (solid bulk cargoes), CSC Convention (containers), etc., which are incorporated and implemented in domestic regulations such as the Regulations for the Carriage and Storage of Dangerous Goods by Ships and the Regulation for the Carriage of Specific Cargo by ships.
IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC Sub-Committee) reviews these international regulations, and to respond to deliberations in this Sub-Committee, we have established the “Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods Transport Requirements” and “Sub-Commitee on Special Cargo Transport” for study.
Meanwhile, maritime bulk transport regulations for liquid chemical products are stipulated in the SOLAS Convention, MARPOL Convention, IBC Code, etc., which are incorporated and implemented as domestic regulations in the Dangerous Goods Regulations, Law Relating to the Prevention of Marine and Air Pollution from Ships and of Maritime Disasters, etc.
Since the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR Sub-Committee) continuously conducts development and evaluation work for liquid chemical product transport regulations, we have established the “Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquid Dangerous Goods” to respond to deliberations in this Sub-Committee.
Additionally, NKKK staff participate the CCC and PPR Sub-Committees as members of the Japanese delegation to reflect Japan’s opinions and contribute to the development of international maritime transport regulations.

Response to UN Committees

The UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, composed of experts on dangerous goods transport selected from member countries, conducts continuous review of the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Recommendations) developed for common use across land, sea, and air transport modes. To respond to deliberations in this Sub-Committee, we have established the “Sub-Committee on the review of amendments to the UN Model Regulations”.
Additionally, NKKK staff participate this Sub-Committee as head of delegations elected by Japanese government to reflect Japan’s opinions and contribute to the development of UN Recommendations.

NKKK is also active in research, and providing information to the public regarding such work. Domestic and international regulations concerning maritime transport of dangerous goods (Dangerous Goods Ship Transportation and Storage Regulations, IMDG Code, UN Recommendations, etc.) undergo regular review and revision in response to advances in science and technology, development of logistics methods, etc. NKKK strives to provide amendments to these maritime transport regulations for dangerous goods and other useful information obtained through research activities.

For the purpose of safe and smooth transport of packaged dangerous goods by vessels, we hold “Dangerous Goods Maritime Transport Regulations Training Courses” and “Dangerous Goods Container Transport Seminars” nationwide for those engaged in maritime transport of dangerous goods, covering domestic and international regulations concerning maritime transport of packaged dangerous goods (Dangerous Goods Ship Transportation and Storage Regulations, IMDG Code, UN Recommendations, etc.).

We are certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a “third-party organization conducting transport safety management evaluation” and are engaged in evaluation activities.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism introduced the “Transport Safety Management System” in October 2006, learning from serious accidents caused by insufficient safety management.
Transport operators are required more than ever to have management leaders take initiative and actively engage in building safety management systems and safety assurance measures, while activating these efforts to “promote voluntary and active transport safety initiatives and improve transport safety.”
As a third-party organization, we conduct evaluations and provide advice with the purpose of contributing to further improvement of the safety management systems and initiatives established by transport operators.
Charter bus operators who have received administrative penalties must undergo transport safety management evaluation by a third-party organization before their business renewal permit application.

Application for Evaluation

To promote penetration and establishment of the “Transport Safety Management System” implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, we hold free seminars for small and medium-scale motor transport operators.
Schedules will be posted in “Seminar Information” once determined.
・Guideline Seminars
・Internal Audit (Basic) Seminars

Food safety is always required in Japan, as the country is largely dependent on imports for their food supply. Our Food Hygiene Analysis Team contributes to your future by assuring food safety as an inspection organization registered by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
This includes inspections related to import quarantine (mandatory and voluntary), inspections related to domestic food import/export, radioactivity inspections (export and import), risk assessments, as well as government and local authority tender projects, contributing to food safety and security through these services.

We conduct field surveys of the current status of economic zones under development centered on the country’s ports, including Thilawa, Kyaukpyu, and Dawei Economic Zones, as well as domestic logistics connecting these economic zones, infrastructure development status including electric power, and future development plans.

We hold annual seminars on petroleum products covering quality-related topics from basic analysis to standards and laws. We provide the latest information to participants from a wide range of industries including trading companies, petroleum manufacturing and sales businesses, and local governments. Schedules will be posted in “Seminar Information” once determined.

We hold seminars nationwide for liquefied gas fuel import-related businesses on general knowledge of liquefied gas, specialized knowledge and technology related to cargo handling. Schedules will be posted in “Seminar Information” once determined. We also accept requests for seminars on a company-by-company or department-by-department basis.

We hold seminars on foreign import regulations for businesses engaged in overseas investment such as physical investment in foreign countries (Asia), factory relocation, procurement of production goods and capital goods from third countries, and trade operations such as recycling material exports. Schedules will be posted in “Seminar Information” once determined.

We provide free consultation services for dangerous goods maritime transport and general radiation matters at the following consultation windows. Please feel free to consult with us.

We measure and collect impact values (acceleration) during cargo transport over a fixed period by transport mode (ships, trucks, railways, aviation) and by individual item transport/container transport, constructing a comprehensive database of this information.

Based on accumulated container cargo damage accident investigations, we re-examine accident information and related circumstances (including meteorological and oceanographic environment and container interior and vessel motion conditions), analyze the types of container accident cargo, accident characteristics and trends, clarify accident causes, and research countermeasures and preventive measures.

In response to the activities of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 28/Subcommittee 5 (TC28/SC5), which deliberates on international standards for liquefied gas fuel measurement, we share responsibility for domestic deliberation secretariat duties and conduct research with the cooperation of liquefied gas fuel import trading companies, electric power companies, gas companies, etc., to reflect Japan’s position on international standards for liquefied gas fuel measurement.

We conduct demonstration tests with the cooperation of import trading companies, consumers, etc., regarding sampling methods used to determine the quality of imported salt inexpensively, quickly, and accurately, and based on the results, examine more rational alternative sampling methods.

We construct a comprehensive database by collecting and organizing information related to the handling of liquid cargo such as petroleum transported by sea or liquid cargo that is essential materials and energy for national life.

We collect samples of various ethanol and agricultural products imported to Japan, analyze their isotopic composition, and conduct research to create a database that enables comparison and verification with imported ethanol and agricultural products.

We measure various types of synthetic chemical substances that could not exist in the past using various analytical instruments, collect spectra information obtained from them, and construct a database that analyzes this information.

We construct a comprehensive database that enables comprehensive overview of information related to import regulations for overseas investment such as physical investment in foreign countries (Asia), factory relocation, procurement of production goods and capital goods from third countries, and recycling material trade operations, collected and investigated through literature surveys and field surveys.

This project conducts research on challenges in system operation, issues related to expert development, etc., concerning the Ship Recycling Convention and related legislation scheduled for ratification and domestic legislation in the near future.

Japan remains highly dependent on imports, and these goods include food directly related to public safety as well as resources and energy essential for daily life. Meanwhile, there are many importers and consumers seeking safety and security of imported goods, making safety assurance an important issue. This survey investigates the status of import/export cargo inspections conducted at export origins and examines the current situation of confirming the safety of various items, particularly those exported to Japan.

We conduct research on promoting security supply management in Japan’s logistics industry jointly with TAPA Japan and widely publicize research results.

We develop and research equipment that can accurately estimate wave conditions (wave direction, wave height) near reflection sea areas by installing automatic wave measurement equipment on offshore mobile platforms such as ships, receiving backscattered signals reflected from waves near the offshore mobile platform, and applying appropriate signal processing to these backscattered signals.

In the future, if we can attempt to automate wave information collection of meteorological and oceanographic information offshore using this equipment, the scope of effective utilization will expand, enabling collection and analysis of offshore big data related to meteorological and oceanographic information.

For bluefin tuna, whose resource depletion is a global concern, we participate in the “ACMS Consortium (Aqua-Culture Management System)” established to promote and develop a counting system using “multi-transceiver sonar and pinger” developed primarily by Honorary Professor Akira Hamano of National Fisheries University and Dr. Toyoki Sasakura for the purpose of accurate quantity measurement of cultured fish in aquaculture facilities. We contribute to promoting the use of this system and provide support for protection of fisheries resources, conservation of marine environment, and management stabilization and sustainable development of aquaculture industry.

We provide internship opportunities for university and technical college students at third-party inspection organizations at domestic and overseas offices. Students who are interested should apply through the contact window below.