History

History

1966	(1st Chair : Kisaburo Ochi) The secretariats of 12 truck industry groups in Tokyo gathered at the Tokyo Ground Transport Association and were consolidated.
1970	Upon obtaining incorporated association status, the Association was renamed to the Tokyo Trucking Association (TTA).
1971	Tokyo Automobile Insurance Cooperative for Truck Transport Companies was launched.
1974	The Special Committee on Counter-recession Measures was established amid TTA members’ heightened consciousness about financial crises following the first oil shock in fall 1973. A structural improvement project was started.
1975	During the strike of the Japanese National Railway over a long period, commercial trucks were actively used and their reputation increased.
1976	(2nd Chair: Motonori Suzuki) The system of Subsidies for the Promotion of the Transport Business was started.
1977	TTA’s 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony was held.
1978	Tokyo’s subsidy program was started. A traffic safety rally was held among truck businesses.
1979	The subsidy program shifted into full swing: A transportation consultation office was established; Training was provided on the transportation of emergency supplies; and a special workshop was held for drivers. The Federation of Tokyo Truck Transport was launched.
1980	The 1st Truck Drivers’ Contest was held. The Tokyo Truck Traffic Safety Council was established.
1982	The Tokyo Highway Traffic Safety Council was established with TTA playing a central role.
1983	The construction of the Tokyo Trucking Sogo Kaikan was completed. The Tokyo Foundation for Children Orphaned from Truck Accidents was established.
1984	The human resources development program shifted into full swing. TTA’s computerized system was started. The Youth Division formation meeting was held.
1985	TTA participated in the establishment of the company, Japan Methanol Vehicle.
1986	The first Women Managers’ Meeting was held. MCA wireless apparatuses were installed at TTA headquarters and branch offices. TTA’s 20th anniversary commemorative ceremony was held. The Azamino Training and Health Center was opened. Emergency supply transport activities were carried out in response to the Izu-Oshima volcano eruption.
1987	A rally against sales tax was held. The TTA Reference Material Room was set up on the fifth floor of the Sogo Kaikan. Land for the construction of a distribution center facility and emergency supply transport base was acquired.
1988	The Youth Division Alumni Distribution Study Group was launched. The number of people who received routine health exams at health-screening vehicles reached over 100,000 people since the service began in FY1982. The TTA Mid- to Long-Term Concept was formulated.
1989	The TTA PC Network Program was implemented. A commemorative workshop was held on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Youth Division.
1990	An industry PR magazine, “Dream Road,” was issued. TTA was designated as the organization for promoting proper trucking safety practices in Tokyo. The Tokyo Trucking Business Professional Development Foundation was established.
1991	The first stage of the construction of the Kasai Distribution Center and Emergency Transport Center began. The first National Examination for Motor Vehicle Operation Manager was implemented. In Tokyo, 5,999 people took the exam and 4,011 people passed. The Women’s Division was established.
1992	The Tokyo Truck Traffic Safety Green Cross Group was established within the Tokyo Truck Traffic Safety Council. Street PR activities and traffic safety activities were carried out on Truck Day on October 9. An automated warehouse-type locker building, “Tokyo Trucking Association Card Locker,” began operations. Construction of the TTA disaster relief supply and equipment warehouse began (completed in March 1993).
1993	TTA formed partnership with sister group, a Taiwanese truck operators’ group?the Taiwan Truck Cargo Transportation Association . The International Exchange Fund was established within TTA. Emergency supply transport activities were carried out in response to the Hokkaido Nansei-oki Earthquake. The TTA Distribution Study Group was dissolved and started anew as the Golden Age Division. The Women’s Division held a charity bazaar. The proceeds were donated to the Japan Guide Dog Association.
1994	(3rd Chair: Tokiro Asai) An Economic Stagnation Countermeasures Headquarters was established, which implemented programs to expand the loans provided under the Modernization Fund and programs that extended special financial subsidies, among other programs. In protesting against toll hikes, TTA conducted a signature-collecting campaign, street demonstrations, and petitions. The International Exchange Fund held its first overseas training in China.
1995	Emergency supply transport activities were carried out in response to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. TTA provided cooperation for the Nihonbashi Truck Time Plan to mitigate the parking problems of Tokyo. The Golden Age Division presented policy recommendations which called for the reduction of highway tolls. The Secretariat was reorganized to newly establish the Office of the Chair and the Publicity Division as well as integrate the Facility Management Division and Planning Division into the General Affairs Division (1 Office, 8 Divisions).
1996	The Women’s Division initiated a social welfare activity which for the first time invited children orphaned by traffic accidents and their families to Tokyo Disneyland (since then, this program has been continued). The Training to Be Mindful of Safe Driving was started, which approaches traffic accident prevention from aspects revolving around the mind. TTA Books issued “The Social History of ‘Transport.’” The Secretariat was reorganized to newly establish the Branch Office Liaison Division (1 Office, 9 Divisions). TTA’s 30th anniversary commemorative ceremony was held.
1997	TTA held a traffic accident prevention meeting and declared 1997 as the Inaugural Year of Safety First. 1,200 truck operators participated in the meeting held at Kudan Kaikan. TTA began offering distribution management courses. TTA participated in the earthquake fire-fighting exercises of the Tokyo Fire Department for the first time.
1998	Amid the worst economic stagnation since the end of WWII, a study was conducted on the situation of the financial institutions’ reluctance to lend and their selective financing. The first female vice-chair was inaugurated (first also for trucking associations nationwide). Consultations began to be offered for drivers requesting shorter hours from the 40-hour week system.
1999	The Commercial Truck Fuel Reduction Campaign was undertaken. The TTA Library was opened in the first floor lobby. The No Diesel Black Smoke strategy was developed. The third Wednesday of each month was designated as the joint inspection day for diesel black smoke.
2000	The Study Meeting Concerning Environmental Measures Implemented by Tokyo was established. TTA more actively made requests to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, etc. regarding environmental measures. Emergency relief supplies were transported in response to the eruption of Mount Usu in Hokkaido. Emergency relief supplies were transported in response to the eruption of Mount Oyama in Miyakejima of Tokyo. TTA became the first organization in the industry to be registered in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Tokyo Declaration on Eco-Improving Business Establishments (Category I). The No Littering Campaign was undertaken, which advocated commercial trucks to never litter. TTA implemented the Diesel Vehicle Emission Gas Monitoring Activity, the first such activity for the industry nationwide. Amid the trend towards fare reductions, TTA requested appropriate transport transactions to shippers’ groups
2001	TTA implemented a Management Fact-finding Survey, which studied the situation of the worsening management environment. TTA signed the Tokyo Declaration on Illegal Diesel Vehicle Elimination. The Golden Age Division received the Special Award for Distribution and Environment from the Japan Federation of Freight Industries. TTA’s own research team was dispatched to study Europe’s response to environmental issues. The Environment Division was newly established (1 Office, 10 Divisions). TTA Books issued “The Transportation History of ‘Horsepower.’” TTA made a request to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly regarding trucking improvements, and the Opinions on Ensuring Safety and Fair Transactions, etc. in Truck Transportation was adopted.
2002	(4th Chair: Eiichiro Nakanishi) TTA began offering assistance for the installation of particulate matter reduction apparatuses. Standing Committees were significantly realigned, including the new establishment of the Management Information Committee, Environment Committee, and the Publicity Committee, as well as the realignment of the Distribution Policy Special Committee. A study of the environmental measures taken by TTA member businesses was conducted ahead of the entry into force of the diesel vehicle regulations under the ordinance of Tokyo and three prefectures (Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama).
2003	The Applications Booth for Environmental Measures Assistance was temporarily set up on the fourth floor of the Tokyo Trucking Sogo Kaikan. The Azamino Training and Health Center was closed. TTA endeavored to improve the safety of all operators through the promotion of safety evaluation programs (G mark). With the implementation of the diesel vehicle regulations, TTA requested measures based on the actual situation. The Environment Fund was newly established.
2004	Emergency supply transport activities were carried out in response to the Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake. TTA coped with the emergency inspection measures implemented following the recall notice for trucks and buses submitted by Mitsubishi Fuso. TTA coped with the data forgery and fraudulent alterations made by the maker of particulate matter reduction apparatuses.
2005	TTA was designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as the Designated Public Institution for Tokyo based on the Civilian Protection Act. By increasing the number of instructors and enhancing the trainings, etc., TTA, as the designated organization for promoting proper trucking safety practices in Tokyo, endeavored to enhance the program lineup and contents. A Countermeasures Office was established to resolve the issue of false data for diesel particulate filters (DPF) manufactured by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. TTA requested the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Senior Vice Ministers to implement special measures in order to overcome the crisis situation resulting from the spiraling prices of light oil. A large meeting was held on spiraling light oil prices and overcoming management crises.
2006	(5th Chair: Yoshimi Hoshino) TTA requested 307 shippers’ groups to ensure fair transactions. Green-Eco Project promotional activities and programs were initiated. By promoting “transport safety management,” TTA endeavored to infiltrate a unified “safety first” business management approach from top management down to the lower levels. A headquarters’ event for Truck Day was held for the first time. Signature-collecting activities, etc. were undertaken to protest against the incorporation of tax revenues for road projects into the general budget.
2007	The Safety Apparatus (Driving Recorder) Installation Promotion Program was started with the objective of halving traffic accidents, etc. The Green-Eco Project promotional activities and programs received the FY2007 Minister of the Environment’s Award for Global Warming Prevention Activities. TTA began taking Emergency Measures for Traffic Accident Prevention, including the transmission of news flashes about traffic accidents involving commercial trucks. Relief supplies were transported to the areas affected by the Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake. TTA requested a drastic review of the “proposal for distance-based fees” for Tokyo’s highways.
2008	Prefectures in the Kanto bloc joined together to hold a rally for overcoming the management crises resulting from spiraling fuel prices. TTA educated and increased awareness about trucking guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: Guidelines for Promoting Subcontracting and Shippers’ Proper Transactions; and Emergency Guidelines on Fuel Surcharge System. TTA analyzed the trends in fatal accidents involving intersections. The analysis is used in the driver instruction materials for eliminating traffic accidents. TTA urged partners to expand the use of pedestrian traffic signals bearing in mind the accident situation. TTA produced a theme song as part of the Strategy for Changing the Industry Image. TTA received the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Environment’s Award (the Green Tokyo Fund Certificate of Appreciation) for its cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Regenerating Tokyo’s Abundant Greenery project, etc. A 24-hour telephone counseling service (available 365 days a year) was established to respond to health questions from workers of TTA’s member businesses, etc.
2009	A “temporary stop sticker” campaign was started to eliminate intersection accidents. The Green-Eco Project promotional activities and programs received the Tokyo Governor’s Award for the Environment. At COP15, these activities and programs were introduced to the world as leading examples from Japan. The transportation cost calculation system was distributed to all members as a tool to easily calculate the transportation cost. TTA provided backup for the use of the Government’s management assistance policy. The H1N1 Countermeasures Headquarters was established and advocated measures to prevent infection. The Youth Division received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Japan Marrow Donor Program for its activities to support the program. The goal of the Three-Year Plan to halve traffic accidents among the members was achieved.
2010	The Tokyo Trucking Association’s Management Analysis Survey findings were announced. TTA requested the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to further remove the non-parking regulations implemented for commercial trucks providing pickup and delivery services. The Green-Eco Project promotional activities and programs received the Kanto District Transport Bureau’s Award and the Japan Federation of Freight Industries’ Freight Environment Award (The Award for Education and Enlightenment). Seminars on the transportation cost calculation system were initiated at each branch office. A program to assist with the installation of alcohol detection devices was implemented with the aim of eliminating drunk-driving. The Green-Eco Project initiatives were presented at the Regional EST Forum in Asia (Bangkok).