Билгийн

Доллар (USD)

Улаанбаатар

SHIMIZU TAKENORI: CONSTRUCTION COSTS AS WELL AS DEMOLISHING COSTS ARE ALL ESTIMATED


We invited Shimizu Takenori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia, to our “Ambassador speaks” corner of our issue full of development related information. Although our conversation can develop touching various topics, we aimed at focusing on development expertise of Japan as it is well-known world-wide for its high development.

-Mongolia is at the start-point of significant development including roads, apartment buildings, hospitals and schools. Thus we would like you to kindly share the development practices of highly developed Japan.
-Japan is a country with long history and rich experience in urban development. 120 years ago, i.e. starting from Meiji era, modern urban development, construction and urban planning have been regulated with strict laws. The Law on Urbanization and Construction and the Law on Urban Planning entered into force in 1919. Nowadays, these laws are modified into the Law on New Urban Planning. This law also regulates administrations and district distribution, building and construction permitting system. Of course the laws have been amended several times to meet changing requirements. The Urban Planning and Construction Standard laws of Japan always correspond with each other. For example, the Law on Urban Planning specifically provides the ratio of possessed land and building sizes, and ratio of internal capacity of the building, in detail. Also, the Law on Construction Standards specifies widths of all paved roads. In addition, requirements for use of privately owned land for public use purposes and the penalty rates are systematically regulated. And the laws are strictly adhered to and their implementation is monitored, thus we have less errors or mistakes related to urban planning.

-Japan’s population is large and land is small, while the people are impressively well-organized. We say Ulaanbaatar city has been over-populated. Will you share your practices of ensuring less-trouble living for your large population in quite a small land?
-Territory of Japan is 387 thousand square km. This is equal to only quarter of the territory of Mongolia. Meanwhile, 70% of the territory of Japan is forests, thus only 30% of the land is populated. Also, our population is 130 million. One third of the population, i.e. 35 million people reside in Tokyo and neighboring districts. It means the density is approximately 4000 per 1 square km, while it is 254 for Ulaanbaatar city. Our values and advantages, in brief, are the strict laws to comply with standards of construction of highly efficient, high quality buildings and apartments. Also, environmentally-friendly urban planning is implemented in accordance with the laws and regulations.

-Your country faces quite frequent natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. But you have roads and buildings that overcome all these disasters. Thus, your construction standards and technologies definitely draw our attention. So, what standards do you have for the road and buildings?
-Yes, each year Japan faces hurricanes, flood and earthquakes. Therefore, road and urban planning has always been prepared in consideration of infrastructure while fighting against natural disaster. As we have learnt to fight these disasters we use technologies that last for 50-100 years in road and buildings. We use the highest quality technologies and require highest skills from our human resources. And road is an integral part of economy, everyday life and culture of a Japanese person.

-I have heard that the construction cost estimate method is different in Japan. Does it mean that costs related to repair and upgrading in the event of breakage or collapse due to natural disasters are estimated from the very beginning?
-It is wrong to estimate the costs required for only construction of roads and buildings. Estimates include not only construction costs but also all costs related to planning, preparing designs, transportation, maintenance and demolishing due to wear-out. After that, total funds required for all activities are determined. This is the same for roads, buildings, bridges and underground passages. If estimates are conducted in this manner, it becomes easier to resolve issues related to insurance, maintenance and restoration after construction is completed.

-Mongolians highly value the Narny (Sun) Road built by the Japanese. Does this road fully comply with Japanese standards?
-Within the scope of “Official aid for development” of the government of Japan, the Narny Road in Ulaanbaatar city and paved road to the East of Baganuur District were built by a Japanese construction company. From the quality of these roads, one can see the level of Japanese technologies. Unfortunately, more attention is paid towards initial costs when importing parts from abroad. Although development activities can be done at low cost, further costs such as repair, maintenance, monitoring, insurance, long-term credit interests and disposal costs. As a result, the final total cost is relatively high. Therefore, Mongolians should estimate all costs of roads and buildings from planning until demolishing and dismantling.

-Mongolians have watched and felt deep sorrow for the disastrous Tsunami happened in Japan. What is the current restoration status after this disaster?
-Restoration after disaster requires a lot of time. However, Japan has made all efforts for this restoration and reconstruction work. The Government of Japan newly established “Restoration Committee”, planned phase by phase restoration actions and working in cooperation with national and rural self-governing organizations, private companies and non-governmental organizations. Meanwhile, I would like to note that after the disaster occurred, the Government of Mongolia and the people of Mongolia at initiative of President Ts.Elbegdorj have donated over three million dollars, sent the rescue team and series of aid items in timely manner, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people of Mongolia again.


-Japan is a real producer country. Would you like to share the secrets of this significantly developed production?
-Japan has no natural resources under the soil, therefore, after the war we focused on importing and processing minerals, developing export production and preparing human resources to work at these factories. At that time, developing countries were focused on low cost production while Japan was focused on producing high quality products. And then when industry started to fail in other countries, Japan started to be known as manufacturer country. This is our uniqueness. On the other hand, we started investing all revenue made from foreign trade into the people as apartments, roads, public facilities and infrastructure were quite underdeveloped. Improvement of road and infrastructure enhanced industrial products cycle and increased domestic demands. This probably served as the leverage for rapid development of Japan.

0 Сэтгэгдэл
Хамгийн их уншсан