JITTI Journal January 2024 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2024 Feature Article Japan's Strategic Countermeasures against the Pirates of the Seas By Daisuke Komatsu Towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, a series of piracy incidents, including the capture of cargo ships and tankers, occurred in the waters around the Gulf of Aden, near Yemen and Somalia. Additionally, there has been an increase in pirate attacks in Southeast Asian waters in recent years, posing significant threats to the safety of nearby vessels and raising major concerns for economic security. In light of this background, this journal article aims to elucidate Japan's counter-piracy measures. Tracing back the history of piracy in Japan, references to pirates can be found as early as the latter half of the 5th century in the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan). Notably, during the late 15th century and the Sengoku period (Warring States period), pirate groups known as the "Murakami KAIZOKU,” a group functioning both as pirates and a naval force, were frequently active in the Seto Inland Sea. In more contemporary times, incidents such as the 1999 attack on the Arlanda Rainbow, which was en route from Indonesia to Japan, and the 2005 attack on the Japanese-flagged ocean-going tugboat Idaten in the northwestern part of the Strait of Malacca, have occurred. Globally, piracy has been a longstanding maritime security threat throughout history, evident from occurrences in the Roman Empire era, the Vikings in the 8th century, privateers during the Age of Discovery, the Barbary pirates in North Africa, and pirates in the Caribbean and Indian Oceans. Revisiting the definition of piracy, according to Article 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, piracy consists of: (a) Any illegal acts of violence, detention, or depredation for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against: (i) Another ship or aircraft, or persons or property on board in the high seas; (ii) A ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state. (b) Voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or aircraft with knowledge that it is a pirate ship or aircraft. (c) Incitement or intentional facilitation of acts defined in subparagraph (a) or (b). Article 105 of the same convention outlines that any state may seize a pirate ship or aircraft, or a ship taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board in the high seas or any other place outside the jurisdiction of any state. The courts of the state which carried out the seizure may decide upon the penalties to be imposed, and, with due regard to the rights of bona fide third parties, may determine the action to be taken with respect to the ship, aircraft, or property. In essence, piracy is robbery conducted on the high seas and is considered a universal enemy against which any state may act. Pirate acts occurring within territorial waters of coastal states, as opposed to the high seas, are defined as armed robbery at sea. Considering the above, an overview of Japan's counter-piracy measures is provided. As an island nation with low food and energy self-sufficiency rates, Japan relies heavily on maritime transport routes for 99.5% of its imported resources essential for maintaining economic activities and social life. Thus, protecting merchant vessels from piracy is a lifeline for the country. Created by the author using freely available resources. Direct enforcement in pirate-infested waters like the Malacca and Singapore Straits was not feasible for Japan due to territorial limitations. Consequently, the Japan Coast Guard led the adoption of the "Asian Anti-Piracy Challenges 2000" at this conference, proposing measures such as mutual visits of patrol ships, joint training exercises, continuous expert meetings, and conducting seminars on maritime crime control. Initiatives also included accepting students for maritime crime seminars at the Japan Coast Guard Academy and JICA, dispatching long-term JICA experts, and supporting capacity building through joint training with coastal countries. These efforts led to a significant reduction in piracy incidents in Southeast Asia after 2004. However, piracy in Somalia, particularly around the Gulf of Aden, surged post-2007. A notable incident in February 2007 involved the hijacking of the MV Rozen, a cargo ship chartered by the World Food Programme for humanitarian aid to Somalia, leading to the abduction of 12 crew members. This incident underscored the international community's need to collaborate in combating piracy in the region. Created by the author using data sourced from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports. In contrast to the pirates in Southeast Asia, those operating in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia are characterized by their heavy armament, organized operations, and operations in a broad maritime area far from land. Notably, they often kidnap entire crews and ships, demanding ransoms, rather than just looting goods or cargoes. Since 1991, Somalia has been in a state of anarchy, lacking a functional government capable of combating piracy, differentiating it from the situation in Southeast Asia. With the passing of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions in 2008, the CTF151 (Combat Task Force) fleet, predominantly comprising EU and NATO member states, was dispatched to protect ships in these waters, leading to an increase in the forceful suppression of pirates. The United States also joined the efforts with its Navy and Coast Guard as part of the combined maritime task force. Recognizing that about 10% of the vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden annually are Japan-related, and to fulfill its role as a responsible nation in the United Nations, Japan acknowledged the importance of counter-piracy measures in the region. The Japan Coast Guard, tasked with protecting lives and property from piracy and maintaining security, faced challenges in collaborating with CTF151 and exercising jurisdiction over maritime crimes in international waters. However, dispatching the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was considered. Under the Self-Defense Forces Law Article 82, JMSDF's maritime security operations are primarily limited to protecting Japanese lives or property, presenting challenges in guarding non-Japanese vessels like those protected by CTF151. To address these challenges, Japan legislated the Anti-Piracy Measures Law in June 2009. This law enabled the Japan Coast Guard to exercise jurisdiction over piracy, considered a crime in international waters, and allowed JMSDF escort vessels to guard foreign-flagged ships in coordination with CTF151. A significant feature of this law is that it defined piracy as a crime within Japan's legal system for the first time, allowing for the protection of not just Japanese vessels but also foreign ships. The law also permitted preventive actions against piracy, such as firing warning shots when pirates approached civilian vessels. This legislation marked a milestone in asserting jurisdiction in international waters, a domain typically governed by the principle of flag state jurisdiction. JMSDF has since been conducting escort operations and surveillance activities, regardless of the ships' nationality, based on their requests in the Gulf of Aden, with significant collaboration from the Japan Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers, deployed on JMSDF ships, play a crucial role in enforcing the Anti-Piracy Measures Law. This joint operation ensures effective law enforcement and escort operations. From 2013, Japan has participated in CTF151, further intensifying its anti-piracy measures. These efforts have significantly reduced piracy incidents around Somalia. Japan continues to support the enhancement of maritime security capabilities in Somalia and neighboring countries and aims for the fundamental resolution of the piracy issue, contributing to the reconstruction and stabilization of Somalia. Moreover, some analysts suggest that the piracy incidents mentioned earlier might be linked to 2023 Israel-Hamas War, , underscoring the necessity for continued international cooperation and efforts to address the root causes of piracy for ensuring maritime security in the region.

JITTI Journal Cultural Article November 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2025 Cultural Article My Japanese Shinto-Style Wedding By Tomomi Dodd As I write this journal, I’m reminded, as I do every year around this time, of my wedding in Japan in October 2017. My American fiancé at the time and I decided to hold a wedding in Japan, and specifically a traditional Shinto-style wedding at a shrine. We came to the decision as we had wanted to show respect to Japanese culture and embrace it. With plans to move to America in the near future, we also knew we wanted to host the wedding in Japan so that mutual friends, which we had both met while attending the same college in Tokyo, would be able to attend. Though we had heavy rain due to typhoon on the wedding day, I felt that it turned out a memorable and beautiful event. A Shinto wedding is a traditional Japanese ceremony held at a shrine or at a temple. It means marriage before the kami (God). I will introduce some of the main steps we performed during our wedding. Please note that every wedding venue is different and may have different steps. First of all, we walked down the isle outside of the shrine led by two Mikos. Miko are young priestesses who serves at a Shinto shrine. As we were entering the wedding ceremony stage, a giant drum was pounding. (Walking to the wedding ceremony venue led by two Mikos.) (Beginning of the wedding ceremony) Then we did an exchanging of Sake - San San Kudo . As the bride and groom, we took turns sipping three times from cups of three sizes: small, medium and large. (The first two times, the cup is raised to one’s lips. The sake is only drunk on the third sip.) This act represents purification. (San-san-kudo) Next, we read a wedding vow. Here is what we read in Japanese. Watakushidomo Ryoumei wa Honjitsu Yuishoaru Sanno Hiejinja ni Oite Kekkon Itashimasu. Watakushidomo wa Sougo no Ishi wo Sonchou shi Rikai ni Tsutomete Mairimashita ga, Kongo Yoriissou Katai Shinrai to Aijou nioite Ningen toshite no Musubitsuki wo Takamete Yukukoto wo Koko ni Chikaimasu. (English translation: Today we are getting married at Hie Shrine. We promise to continue to strengthen our bond, trust, and love while maintaining mutual respect. ) In the end, we presented Sakaki branches. Sakaki is an evergreen tree native to Japan, and it is considered a bridge between the divine and humanity. As the bride and groom, we received the Sakaki branches and placed them at the altar. Then we bowed twice and clapped twice. Next, our dads, as the fathers of the groom and bride respectively, received Sakaki and placed them at the altar. They in turn bowed twice and clapped twice. Following this was a dance performance by the Mikos. (Bride and Groom placing Sakaki branches) (Fathers of bride and groom placing Sakaki branches) (Dance performance by Mikos) Though all the preparations for the wedding ceremony and reception were chaotic and stressful, I am still very happy that we had a Japanese style Shinto wedding and my husband’s side of family experienced some of Japanese culture and met my family and friends. I deeply appreciate that they came to Japan all the way from America for us. I cannot forget what my brother-in-law told me later when he said that it was one of the coolest experiences he has had. Just for your reference, we had a wedding at Hie Akasaka Shrine in Tokyo. It is a very beautiful Shinto shrine distinct in its vermilion color, and has a very long and deep history as it was built in the year 1478. It is worth visiting just to see the shrine. You might be able to see some cute children in Kimono for children’s ritual (Shichi-go-san), especially if you go in October or November. (The bride and groom in front of the Hie Shrine.) References: Hie-jinja Shrine（Spot）|Chiyoda Tourism Association Embracing the Beauty of Japanese Shinto Weddings | Japan Up Close

JITTI Journal Cultural Article January 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2020 Cultural Article Osechi: A New Year Tradition by Shuntaro Okimoto Happy New Year! This time, I would like to introduce the dishes that are eaten during the New Year holiday in Japan. Many people in Japan take about a week off of work or school for the New Year holiday. They travel to spend New Year's Eve, January 1st, and the following days with family and relatives living far away. As a result, traffic between urban areas such as Tokyo and the countryside is congested. Whether journeying on highways, high-speed rail, or at airports, this is the busiest time of year. I think it's like Christmas or Thanksgiving in the USA. When families and relatives gather, we eat some traditional foods to mark the season. The most typical Japanese traditional dish for the New Year holiday is “Osechi.” Osechi is a dish in which many types of food are packed in square boxes of lacquer ware. Have you ever seen a Japanese lunch box, called “Bento?” It's like a luxury version of that. In the past, Osechi was exclusively homemade, but now some people buy it at the deli. These lacquer boxes are stacked with traditional food inside. Unlike Bento boxes, these are only used during special occasions, such as for Osechi. Osechi has three features. The first is that many of the foods inside are very seasoned and especially sweet. It is said that this is because in Japan seasonings, especially sugar, were precious, and people used them extravagantly only during the New Year. The second feature is that the amount of food packed inside is large as a whole. If you see the quantity of food, you may think: Can we eat so much? Don't worry about that. Many of the foods in the box can be eaten for several days. Osechi is made with foods that have a long shelf life, so that everyone in the family can rest without cooking during the New Year holiday. The third is that the foods packed in Osechi are filled with wishes. For example, we eat caramelized shrimps, with the hope that we live long lives to the point where our backs bend like shrimp. We also eat stewed vegetables, with the hope that our families will always be together. This is a picture of typical food served in Osechi- such as the stewed vegetables on the right and shrimp on the left. Each item is carefully placed to be aesthetically pleasing. Osechi is a dish that even Japanese people only eat during the New Year holiday. So, even if you go to Japan, you likely can't eat it at Japanese restaurants. If you have the opportunity to go to Japan during the New Year holidays, you may be able to eat it in a limited number of restaurants or buy it at some delis. I want you to try traditional Japanese cuisine. I think you'll be surprised at how beautiful it looks and how delicious it is.

JITTI Journal Cultural Article May 2018 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2018 Cultural Article Miyajima by Ryoki Toku Do you know the three most famous spots in Japan, called "Nihonsankei" ? They are Matsushima in Miyagi, Amanohashidate in Kyoto, and Miyajima in Hiroshima. For this article, I would like to talk about Miyajima. Miyajima is an island located in the Seto Inland Sea, just in front of Hiroshima. It is said that Miyajima has been the object of nature worship from the time immemorial. The Ituskushima shrine, built in 12 century, is one of the symbols of Miyajima. The most recognizable characteristic of Itsukushima shrine is that it was built on the sea. You can walk to the big shrine gate which stand on the off-island side when the tide is low and, during high tide, the surface of the sea reaches just under the floor of shrine. The Itsukushima shrine took the Shindentsukuri style, and it is said that the aristocracy house of the Heian-era was its motif. The Itsukushima shrine and the surrounding area have been designated as a world cultural heritage site. The shrine uses the Seto Inland Sea and makes it resemble a pond, and the dynamic view is a must see. If you have a chance, while traveling in Japan, why don't you add Miyajima to your list of travel destinations, as it's one of the most famous sites in the country?

JITTI Journal September 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2023 Feature Article The Current Use of Metropolitan Airports during the First Summer Vacation after the Covid Pandemic and the Latest Initiatives at These Airports By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara Introduction The rush of people spending their summer vacation abroad peaked at Narita Airport on August 10. The departure lobby was crowded from the early morning with families carrying suitcases in anticipation of the first Bon period since the Coronavirus pandemic was designated as a "Class 5" disease under the Infectious Disease Control Law. On May 8, 2023, the Japanese government shifted the infectious disease status of the Coronavirus from "new-type influenza and other infectious diseases (equivalent to category 2)" to "category 5 infectious diseases" under the Infectious Diseases Control Law, finally eliminating the restrictions that had been in place until then, such as the constraints of going outside and wearing a mask indoors for those infected or in close contact. While Japan is flooded with foreign tourists who have returned to the country as a result of the elimination of border control measures, momentum for Japanese people to take their long-awaited overseas trips during this summer vacation is also gaining. In this article, I would like to take a look at the usage of airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area during the summer vacation (Bon period) after the Coronavirus pandemic and the efforts of non-aeronautical revenue businesses at Haneda and Narita airports to improve earnings post-COVID. 1. International Flight Usage during the Dummer Vacation Period at Airports in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area (Haneda and Narita) On August 25, the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau announced preliminary figures for this year's Bon period (August 10-20) showing that Haneda Airport had 575,940 inbound and outbound passengers and Narita Airport had 802,740 inbound and outbound passengers during the same period. Compared to 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, the number of daily passengers at Haneda and Narita airports recovered to 99% and 69% of their pre-COVID levels, particularly at Haneda Airport, which has finally returned to its pre-pandemic level after a long passage of time. A breakdown of passengers at Narita Airport shows that while the number of daily inbound and outbound passengers recovered to the same level compared to 2019 for foreigners, the number of Japanese was at about 50% of the level of 2019. It appears that overseas travel is still a challenge for Japanese after the Coronavirus pandemic. One reason for this may be the recent relatively high airfares and the declining purchasing power due to a weakened JPY. According to airline companies, many overseas airfares are up 20-40% on many routes compared to pre-pandemic. This is due to soaring energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the yen's depreciation from around 106 yen to the dollar before the pandemic (August of the 2019) to around 145 yen at present. Crowded departure lobby at Haneda Airport with people heading overseas. (Image Source: Mainichi News) 2. Efforts in Non-aeronautical Revenue Businesses at Haneda and Narita Airports to Improve Profitability As mentioned above, the number of foreign visitors to Japan is finally returning, but airport revenues were damaged to an unprecedented degree by the Coronavirus pandemic. During the three years of COVID, what measures have struggling airport companies taken to survive in the midst of deteriorating profitability and record deficits? The airport itself is a place for extraordinary experiences Narita Airport: Bus tour in restricted area Green Port Agency, a group company of Narita International Airport Corporation, is offering a "Narita Airport Special Bus Tour" at Narita Airport. The tour includes a close-up look at aircraft in a restricted area where a variety of aircraft from around the world reside, as well as a 360° panoramic view of the cargo area, maintenance area, and 60-meter-high Ramp Central Tower. The event also provides a unique opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of Narita Airport, including a photo tour with a famous photographer and a tour of the JAL maintenance hangar. Narita Airport Special Bus Tour (Image Source: Green Port Travel ) Haneda Airport: Aircraft Cruise Tour from Tokyo Bay At Haneda Airport, Haneda Passenger Service Co., Ltd. operates the "Under Jet Cruise", a group company of Japan Airport Building Co. The service offers an extraordinary cruise experience on a boat in Tokyo Bay, where passengers can enjoy close-up views of aircraft takeoffs and landings. The Haneda Airport Under Jet Cruise (Image Source: Japan Airport Building Co., Haneda Passenger Service Co., KM Corporation ) Other non-aeronautical revenue business Narita Airport: "+NRT factory," a brand of local products linked to the area surrounding the airport In March 2023, Narita International Airport Corporation announced the launch of "+NRT factory," a brand of local products in cooperation with the surrounding area, to develop and sell new products such as local confectionery and gourmet foods, with the aim of communicating the charm of the region to the world. We can look forward to the development of new products based on the theme of "excitement" that is unique to Narita Airport. (Image Source: Narita International Airport Corporation) Haneda Airport: Large-scale complex facility "HANEDA INNOVATION CITY Haneda Mirai Kaihatsu Corporation (an operating company in which nine companies have invested) announced the completion on June 30, 2023 of "HANEDA INNOVATION CITY" (abbreviated name: HICity), a large-scale complex facility being developed in a public-private partnership with Ota Ward in the Zone 1 development project on the former Haneda Airport site adjacent to the airport. The grand opening of the entire facility is scheduled for November of this year. HICity is Japan's first smart airport city, which will generate exchanges that transcend the boundaries between "cutting-edge" and "culture" and create new value. The building will house a variety of facilities, including research and development facilities, offices, an advanced medical center, an event hall, accommodations, Japanese cultural experience facilities, and dining facilities. It is expected to become a center for the creation of new business and innovation through the gathering and exchanges of people, goods, and information from Japan and abroad. (Image Source: Haneda Mirai Kaihatsu Corporation) 3. Efforts at Haneda and Narita Airports to Achieve Carbon Neutrality While the movement to promote carbon neutrality is accelerating in various countries and sectors around the world, in Japan, the revision of the Civil Aeronautics Law and Airport Law, which went into effect in December 2022, includes the promotion of decarbonization in the purpose provisions of both laws. In this context, I would like to introduce new initiatives at airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Haneda and Narita). Narita Airport: Establishment of Green Energy Frontier Co. Challenge to decarbonize energy supplied to the airport by 2050 Narita International Airport Corporation and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. have established Green Energy Frontier Corporation to supply energy to Narita Airport and began operations on April 1, 2023. The company plans to invest 100 billion yen by 2050 through the construction of a new energy plant and the installation of a solar power generation facility, the largest of its kind in the world at an airport. The company intends to be the first in the world to build a "decarbonization model for airports" at Narita International Airport that combines environmental friendliness and resilience, and to apply this technology and know-how to urban development and industrial parks in the airport's vicinity. Rendering of the new plant Image of solar power generation equipment (Image Source: Narita International Airport Corporation, Tokyo Gas Co.) Haneda/Narita Airports: Promoting the Use of GPUs. Contributing to decarbonization by reducing aircraft "idling" on the ground Haneda and Narita airports have announced that, beginning this spring, they will raise restrictions on the use of APUs (Auxiliary Power Units), which are used to provide the electricity and air conditioning needed by aircraft parked at the airports, to the strictest level in Japan, and will further promote the use of GPUs (Ground Power Units), which have higher CO2 reduction effects, to help decarbonize the airports. The use of GPUs will reduce CO2 emissions to 1/15 or less (in the case of a Boeing 777) compared to the use of APUs, thus contributing to the promotion of decarbonization at airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Conceptual Diagram of GPU Supply (Image Source: East Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, Narita International Airport Corporation) Conclusion 　 According to the Quarterly Air Transport Chartbook, released August 31 by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air traffic across the industry will recover to about 88% of 2019 levels in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, with the short-term outlook for total passenger traffic returning to 2019 levels in early 2024, It is expected to double by 2040. In Japan, the number of daily passengers during the summer Bon period has recovered to about 100% of the 2019 level at Haneda Airport and 70% of the 2019 level at Narita Airport. Furthermore, with there also being reports that the ban has been lifted for group passengers from China, which had a significant impact on the Japanese inbound economy before the pandemic, the long period of receding demand and deteriorating profitability caused by the Coronavirus is finally coming to an end. Airport operators are working to diversify their revenue sources by expanding their non-aeronautical revenue businesses, such as making the airport itself a place for extraordinary experiences and adding commercial facilities, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. This article focuses on the initiatives at Haneda and Narita airports, but we will continue to introduce new initiatives at various airports in the future, including those in other countries. References : ■Mainichi News https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230810/k00/00m/040/223000c ■Haneda Airport Summer Passenger Volume Estimates http://www.tiat.co.jp/news/cf560f0fcc77f831b332cb51259adfcbb157dd5a.pdf ■Narita Airport Summer Passenger Volume Estimates https://www.naa.jp/jp/docs/20230803_ryokyakusuikei.pdf ■Narita Airport Special Bus Tour https://nrttour.gpa-travel.jp/skybus2023-3/ ■Haneda Airport Under Jet Cruise https://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/site_resource/whats_new/pdf/000013474.pdf ■+NRT factory https://www.naa.jp/jp/docs/20230317_NRTfactory.pdf ■Haneda INNOVATION CITY https://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/site_resource/whats_new/pdf/000013575.pdf ■ Green Energy Frontier https://www.naa.jp/jp/docs/20230220_jigyokaishi.pdf ■Further promotion of GPU use https://www.naa.jp/jp/docs/20230323_GPU.pdf

JITTI Journal March 2022 Back to All JITTI Journals March 2022 Feature Article Initiatives to Relieve Congestion in Japan's Rail Industry by Akito Okabe Introduction  While railroads play an important role as a mode of transportation in Japan, urban rail congestion has long been a serious social problem. It may be surprising to learn that the average congestion rate for major Tokyo-area railroad sections in FY 2019 was 163%, with the most congested section reaching 199% 1) . The congestion rate is an index of congestion calculated by dividing the number of people transported by the transportation capacity 2) . As a guide of congestion rate Image Source: Association of Japanese Private Railways Although congestion rates have recently declined temporarily due to the pandemic, it continues to be an important issue against a backdrop of increased hygiene awareness and new ways of working through teleworking. For a long time, Japan has been trying to relieve congestion rates by shortening operating intervals, adding more tracks, and other large-scale construction projects. In recent years, Japan has also been focusing on new initiatives such as a "Train crowd measurement system" that utilizes digital technology. This article introduces some of the advanced efforts in the Japanese railroad to relieve congestion. Train Crowd Measurement System In the Tokyo area, the provision of congestion information on official apps and websites of railroad operators has been in full swing since around 2015. This article introduces Tokyo Metro's real-time ‘train crowd measurement system’ for each train car. Tokyo Metro has been distributing real-time congestion information for each train car on the 'Tokyo Metro my!' app since July 2021. According to Tokyo Metro, by distributing real-time congestion information for each train car, the system enables "safe and comfortable use" tailored to individual customers' needs, such as "which train car is relatively empty?" and "which station will be least crowded to board a train?" In addition, this service has been used by many customers, reaching approximately 50,000 times in the month and a half since its distribution began in July. It is very difficult to calculate congestion in real time, but by utilizing the ‘train crowd measurement system’ that uses a 'depth camera' to acquire depth information on in-train congestion, it is now possible to distribute real-time congestion and congestion forecast information regardless of car type, according to the company. The above figure is reprinted and translated from the Tokyo Metro Co.,Ltd. website. Off-Peak Point Service A service that rewards customers with points as an incentive for off-peak commuting is another initiative that Japanese railroad operators are focusing on to relieve congestion. JR East, Japan's largest railroad company, has launched a point service on weekday mornings as an initiative to support staggered commuting by SUICA 3) commuter pass holders. If you enter a station in the target area during a time period eligible for point redemption and then exit at a station in the target area, points are redeemed. Image Source: JR East An illustration of this is shown in the image above. For example, if the peak period is from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m., passengers can earn 15 reward points if they ride from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. during the "early bird period" before the peak period. If they ride between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. after the peak period, they will earn 20 reward points. The rewards can be recharged to IC cards and used as train tickets, or used for shopping at JR-operated commercial facilities. Currently, the program is being offered for a limited time from March 15, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Conclusion As in Japan, people in the U.S. are becoming more hygiene-conscious, and providing information on train congestion is a topic of great interest. In addition, since staggering morning and evening peak hours can also help railroad companies reduce the number of train cars and staffing required during peak hours, contributing to cost savings, we believe that efforts to promote off-peak use can be a useful reference for the U.S. railroad industry. Currently, the Japanese and U.S. railroad industries are facing a difficult situation due to the pandemic, but it is important to promote new approaches flexibly in accordance with changes in people's needs. References: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/tetsudo04_hh_000095.html Japan Private Railway Association website https://www.mintetsu.or.jp/knowledge/term/16370.html JR East's IC card can be used for trains, buses, shopping, etc. Image Sources: Association of Japanese Private Railways Tokyo Metro Co.,Ltd. JR East

JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2020 Cultural Article The Sounds That Remind Japanese People of Summer by Daisuke Takagi Here comes a hot summer! By the way, what kinds of sounds make you feel like summer is coming? When I talked with my wife about this topic, three typical sounds that remind Japanese people of summer came up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EZAPwBxalI An impressive display of fireworks choreographed to Mozart's Marriage of Figaro Overture at the Nagano Ebisko Fireworks Festival The first is the sound of fireworks. When speaking of fireworks during this time of year in the United States, many American people may think of the Fourth of July rather than summer itself. In Japan, fireworks festivals take place in almost every region of the country throughout the summer every year. The largest fireworks festival in Japan is held in Nagano Prefecture, where 40,000 fireworks are displayed over the lake. Unfortunately, almost all of large fireworks festivals were or will be canceled in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, but I believe we will see greater firework shows next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKLvWG9yDno Bug catching, like in the video above, is a popular pastime for kids in Japan. It was even the inspiration for Pokemon, which has taken the world by storm. The second sound is the buzzing of cicadas. In Japan, when summer arrives cicadas are terribly noisy, shrilling all day from morning till night, and are almost everywhere. Most Japanese, especially men, likely have caught cicadas or collected cicada shells during their childhood. There are about 30 kinds of cicadas in Japan, but only about 10 of them are the ones we can often hear chirping. I came to the U.S. two years ago, but I very rarely hear them. It seems that there are cicadas in the United States, but they’re often in forests away from people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WRX9XbThEc Furin, or Japanese wind chimes, are carefully hand blown and hand painted, and were traditionally purposefully crafted with uneven holes. By doing so, the chime make a different sound based on where the bell hits the glass opening. The third quintessential sound of summer are the song of wind chimes. Japanese people have felt a coolness from hearing the sound of wind chimes and been able to withstand the hot and humid summers in Japan from the time before there was air conditioning. Therefore, even in modern times, listening to the sound of wind chimes reminds us of summer. I don't know when we started hanging wind chimes in our houses, but it is said that those that were used to divine fortunes in China were introduced to Japan, and even now in Japan they are used as charms against evil. Japanese wind chimes are generally made of glass, but the glass manufacturing method was introduced from the Netherlands in the 18th century, and became popular in the late Edo era (19th century), spreading throughout Japan. Iron wind chimes are also traditionally made in some areas. If the day comes when the current situation improves and you can travel to Japan, would you like to bring back wind chimes as souvenirs (as you can not bring back fireworks and cicadas) and feel the summer of Japan?

Value Capture Session Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQdggSw46Tc Value Capture Session Overview by Mamiko Kim A few weeks ago, on June 26 th , JITI held a joint session with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) titled “Revenue Opportunities from Value Capture” as part of APTA’s 2019 Rail Conference. In the early 2010s, JITI held programs in Chicago and California. However, this was the first JITI event held in Canada since its inception. Due to the distance from our home base in Washington, DC, and the fact that our regular audience members may not have gotten a chance to attend this session, I hope to relate more details about this event’s subject and the discussion that took place to our readership. We had speakers from Japan and North America, which diversified the experiences shared For those unfamiliar with the term “value capture,” particularly in regards to rail, it refers to instances where rail companies are able to create capital through infrastructure and land investments above and around stations and rail lines. These investments create revenue opportunities as people are enticed to shop and spend money in these locations, and in turn increase ridership to and from stations. We had presentations by Yuji Murakami of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Kantaro Yamaguchi of the Tokyu Corporation (Tokyu) who both shared illustrations of success stories in Japan where consistent cash flow came into their organizations by utilizing value capture. It is important to note that most rail systems in Japan are operated by private companies, and do not receive financial assistance from governments. In fact, these private companies own real estate and businesses that are separate from the rail sector (such as shopping centers as opposed to station properties), and the rail system is sustained by both ridership and money pulled from these businesses and real estate owned by the company. There are particular challenges in the US and Canada to utilize value capture due to the fact that most rail systems are operated by the public sector, and thus construction and operation are usually funded by state, local, and federal governments. This in turn means that there is more restriction on the type of development that rail systems are able to make, with much of the revenue from real estate around stations being pulled into private businesses rather than returning to the rail system. Heather McKillop of the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Kevin Desmond of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (Translink) presented their own successful models of how they are able to combat these challenges. This included Denver’s achievement of partnership and collaboration with multiple players in order to accumulate some 14 different funding sources to revitalize the Denver Union Station, which they did with such success that they were able to pay off all loans 21 years early. Mr. Desmond described how they have levied property taxes on real estate around stations, doubled property values through pre-development work before disposition, through commercial partnerships, and how they will begin imposing development cost charges in 2020 as another way to fund stations. Panelists consisted of leaders in organizations with success in value capture There were two main discussion points that the moderator, Sasha Page of IMG Rebel, introduced to the panel discussion. The first question was how rail companies are able to manage real estate risk. Mr. Murakami explained that JR East’s goal is to add value to the areas around the station as well as to run trains smoothly in those areas. This could mean that they find areas of interest to work with. For example, there is a famous temple in Nagano. By creating a rail line to this temple, it gives people an attractive option to get there. This intrinsically benefits the rail line and the area around it. Mr. Yamaguchi, acknowledging that their goals are similar to that of JR East, added that with changes in the real estate market due to gentrification and an aging population, Tokyu is working with municipal governments to try to minimalize risk. In Denver’s case, Ms. McKillop elaborated that to mitigate risk, Denver took out a large credit risk premium. Now that there has been a precedent set, she believes that it will be easier to work with the US Department of Transportation in the future. Finally, Mr. Desmond explained that at Translink they have a revolving land account, where they buy and sell land for strategic acquisition. As introduced earlier, they have begun doing pre-development of the land to increase land value before the sale. In the future they are looking into doing more joint developments as well, which carries less risk than creating developments alone. In addition, Mr. Page asked each of the panelists on how their organizations deal with the affordable housing issue. Gentrification, which we are also familiar with in the DC Metro area, is especially a problem around rail stations as it pushes out the very residents who need public transportation the most. Mr. Desmond relayed that this was particularly an issue in 2017 in the Vancouver area, as not only were middle- and lower-income buyers priced out of real estate, but there was a lack of rental properties being built around rail. Since then, municipalities have been working to resolve this problem. He emphasized that policies need to begin at the municipal level. Translink, as they begin joint development ventures, are looking to make sure that areas they control have affordable housing. Ms. McKilllop echoed Mr. Desmond’s points, as she noted that land-use decisions are made by municipalities. She spoke of the power of rail companies to negotiate with municipalities, such as a recent example of an affordable housing unit next to a station which was unable to build due to parking requirements from the city. RTD was able to negotiate for limiting the number of parking the housing unit needed as both RTD and the city of Denver hoped to encourage people to use public transit. The situation in Japan is rather different. Mr. Yamaguchi revealed that like the United States and Canada, land use is determined by municipalities. However, Mr. Murakami explained that in Japan there are strong social programs that protect individuals in middle- and lower-income brackets. In fact, because municipalities have successfully made these efforts, JR East has never been asked to include affordable housing in their developments. Mr. Yamaguchi said that Tokyu does do work to help renovate older properties along their rail lines, which attracts younger people, single mothers, and the elderly. They also expand their bus services so that those who live farther away have access to the stations. The speakers of our session stood together for a group shot The discussion continued with questions from the audience, which I will not cover here. However, I do encourage you to view the full videos or to listen to the audio we have on our website. I hope this report gives the readers a taste of the session, which covers much more information than written here. The major takeaway was that each of the rail systems represented strives to be the world’s best, but there are unique challenges that impact them differently. However, all of the speakers spoke of their common goals to commit to best practices, to build and maintain efficient, convenient, and reliable rail systems, and to sustain these activities through sound business methods, such as value capture discussed in this event. This joint session may not have covered or resolved every issue that rail companies face as they seek to utilize value capture, but we believe that it is one step towards opening up a discussion so that all may benefit internationally. We will continue to follow this topic closely in the future, and hope that you can join us in our next event. Back to All JITTI Journals July 2019 Feature Article

JITTI Journal November 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2020 Feature Article An Introduction of Japanese Tourism Initiatives During the Pandemic by Mamiko Kim 1. Introduction Have you ever been on a “staycation?” If you have, you join 53% of Americans who say that they’ve holidayed at home. (1) Combining the words “stay” and “vacation,” staycation was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 2009 after wide usage following a period of economic downturn.( 2 ) With scrimped funds and rising gas prices, Americans discovered that traveling close by, or even acting as a tourist in their own towns, could provide a much needed respite while still being economically smart. Staycations are again seeing a boom this year in the United States during the coronavirus pandemic, with the Travelocity 2020 Holiday Outlook Survey finding that 2/3 of travelers are planning on vacationing within 250 miles of their homes this holiday season (roughly the distance of Washington, DC to Virginia Beach). (3) Taking into account that 60% of respondents revealed that they will not be visiting family, we can conclude that people are eager to travel for their own sakes, and that there is a market for domestic tourism. Meanwhile, Japan has ramped up their efforts to entice people to travel domestically. Even before the start of the pandemic, “workations,” an extension of teleworking where employees could travel while making time during the day to complete work tasks, had begun gaining traction. Microsoft Japan and Japan Airlines Co. both started workation programs, and in 2017 Wakayama Prefecture began advertising to their Tokyo neighbors that they were a good spot for such an activity. That same year, the Japanese government instituted “Telework Day” on June 24th in preparation for congestion during the Olympics, and 2018 saw the passing of the Workstyle Reform Act, limiting working hours and encouraging a better work-life balance.( 4, 5, 6 ) Thus, in light of this background, it comes as no surprise that Japan has advanced arguably one of the world’s strongest responses to the issue of wavering tourism and consumer spending during the global pandemic. Consider below the following examples of Japan’s efforts to court domestic tourists. Staycations have allowed for people to feel like they are on a vacation, even when they are in their own homes. 2. The Japanese Government “Go to Travel” Campaign (7) Aligned with global trends, the Japanese tourism industry has suffered under the pandemic, including from the effects of most international travelers being barred from entering the country since March. In an attempt to assist the tourism sector, the Japanese government began advancing their “Go To Travel” Campaign to encourage domestic tourism. The campaign is a stipend based program, with 35% of the total cost of travel and accommodations covered by the program, and 15% of the total cost available in coupons for other expenses at the travel destination, such as restaurant and gift shop purchases. By taking advantage of this program, domestic travelers can save up to 50% of their total trip costs. There are some stipulations to this program. Firstly, while Japanese and non-Japanese travelers both have access to the program, they must currently reside in Japan. Additionally, daytrips and overnight trips have differing discount limits. (8) For daytrips, per person, travelers may receive up to 7,000 yen (about $70) in discounts, and 3,000 yen ($30) in coupons. For overnight trips, per person per day, travelers may receive up to a 13,000 yen ($130) discount, and 7,000 ($70) yen in coupons. However, discounts and coupons are limited to trips lasting 7 days or less. Furthermore, if booking travel and accommodations separately, only accommodations will receive the discount, so package deals are best to take full advantage of the program. Finally, arrangements must be made through a campaign registered travel agency or directly through an accommodation booking website. (9) Despite these restrictions, there are many signs that the “Go To Travel” Campaign has reached its aim to entice people to travel. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, between July 22nd (start date) and October 31st, 39.76 million guests/night took advantage of the campaign, using 208.7 billion yen in subsidies. Since Tokyo’s inclusion as a travel destination at the beginning of October to November 9th, 20.1 billion yen in subsidies were used in regional coupons. (10) Furthermore, the Japanese government required participating accommodations and facilities in the Campaign to take measures against the spread of the coronavirus, which may have reassured travelers and regional tourism destinations alike. With the image of safe, cheap, and accessible travel options, Japan’s domestic tourism has seen an uptick. Even with $700 in accommodation and travel fees, travelers can expect to save up to 50% through the "Go To Travel" Campaign's discounts and coupons. 3. Workation Promotions The word, “workation,” made headlines in Japan when it was used in a government tourism meeting earlier this year by then-Chief Cabinet Secretary (now Prime Minister) Yoshihide Suga as a way to bolster the tourism sector. Since then, many creative workation promotions have appeared. (11) Thanks in part to the financial support of the Japanese Environmental Ministry, several national parks have begun offering workation packages. (12) Run by the National Park Resorts of Japan, the manager of Kyukamura hotels, the workation promotions are geared towards day trippers who may wish to take a break from their telework routines at home. Participants can work in the morning and enjoy the afternoon taking advantage of the outdoor activities and scenery at the park. Each national park is set up with their own desired specifications, including upgraded Wi-Fi access points, workstations entailing of either hotel guest rooms within/nearby the park or on-grounds tents set up with portable power stations and Wi-Fi hotspot devices, and food plans. Originally introduced on a trial basis from April-July, it came back by popular demand in September. In fact, Environmental Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, seen as a rising-star in Japanese politics, even participated in the program when he video-conferenced into an internal meeting from Bandai-Asahi National Park in early September. Other participating national parks include: Japan’s largest national park, Setonaikai, spanning the Setonaikai Inland Sea and known for its fishing villages; Aso-Kuju known for its volcanoes, including Mt. Aso, the largest active one in Japan; and Nikko, considered one of the most beautiful parks in Japan with its Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines in a wooded mountainside. For those who rather crave heart-thumping excitement, there is now an “Amusement Workation” at- Yomiuriland, a Japanese Amusement park in the Tokyo suburbs. (13) Tickets into the park cost 1,900 yen per person ($18) or 3,600 yen ($34) per pair, and offer a pool-side booth with Wi-Fi, power-supply, a table, two chairs, two sun lounge chairs, and a free drink at the adjacent La Pacine Restaurant. A scenic (and certainly unique) workstation set-up is also included for ticket-holders, who have access to work in the Ferris wheel for one hour with a pocket Wi-Fi. After work is done, teleworkers may amuse themselves on the many rides and enjoyments found in the park itself, have free towel rental at the neighboring Okanoyu onsen (with its 15 different baths), and for an additional 500 yen, have access to the on-site golf course with 20 swings and golf club rental included. While these workation programs are just two examples currently taking place in Japan, there are a plethora of new and enticing workation campaigns that continue to emerge. Prefectures themselves have begun promoting their cities as great workation destinations, including those with refreshing onsen (Mie Prefecture), serene sights along the foothills of Mt. Fuji (Yamanashi Prefecture), and seaside ambiance and local delicacies (Kanagawa). ( 14 , 15 ) With the interest of both businesses and government in workation programs, it will be interesting to see how the increase of workation programs will affect the mindset of some Japanese companies’ work cultures. 52% of 1,000 responders to a 2020 Japanese Trade Union Confederation survey indicated that they are working more now while teleworking during the pandemic than even before.( 16 ) The fact that workation programs are designed to give more flexibility to workers and their employers may have some impact, with even one governmental employee in the meeting with Environment Minister Koizumi remarking that “It is important to trust employees rather than worrying about whether they are really working.” Whether their existence shifts mindsets or not, it would appear that workations will be around for much longer, particularly as they continue to be in high demand during this pandemic year. Workation programs allow for quick transitions from work to recreation. 4. Staycation Promotions Along with tourism initiatives through the “Go To Travel” and workation campaigns, staycation programs from both the tourism sector and federal government have been introduced with even more ways for people to feel the excitement of travel during these unusual times. From the tourism sector, Tokyo luxury hotels in particular have spearheaded this movement, especially as Tokyo was excluded from the “Go To Travel” destination list until October. These hotels, in addition to their already renowned accommodations, fitness centers, and restaurants, offer themed activities in their staycation packages for guests to experience. The “Edo Beauty Stay” package from Hoshinoya Tokyo Hotel, for example, pampers guests with a spa treatment, but also transports them back to the Edo Period (1603- 1868) by offering a traditional tea ceremony, shamisen lessons, and origami paper folding. ( 17 ) The Peninsula, Tokyo hotel offers their “We Meet Again- The Eight Loves of the Peninsula” staycation package, which includes all in-house amenities and check-out gift bags, and also allows guest to choose an activity of their preference from a list of featured Tokyo “loves”, including dim sum cooking classes, a tour of the Imperial Palace Gardens, exclusive VIP access to art collections, and more. ( 18 ) Each hotels’ packages are designed specifically for just one night’s rest, perfect for the local staycationer to experience the joys of travel while being close to home. On the other hand, for individuals who truly miss traveling abroad, All Nippon Airways (ANA) came up with one solution by offering an exclusive “Hawaiian” experience on their “Riding Honu” aircraft. (19) In August, this airplane, painted to look like a giant sea turtle, offered a unique 90 minute ride departing from and landing at Narita Airport in Tokyo. Donning Hawaiian-themed shirts, staff members served passengers pineapple drinks and mojitos, screened videos, conducted a raffle, and handed out souvenirs. Taking precautions against Covid, the aircraft capacity was limited to 64%, but some 150 times that number applied to take the trip. This experience was a win-win for passengers and the airline alike, as not only did guests get to have the feeling of a tropical vacation, but the airline was also able to conduct maintenance on the aircraft. Meanwhile, the Japanese government has also recently expanded their “Go To Travel” campaign by announcing “Go To Eat,” “Go To Event,” and “Go To Shotengai” initiatives (Shotengai is the Japanese word for a covered street market). The “Go To Eat” campaign was launched from the first of October, and will be advanced in November/December for Tokyo, and like the “Go To Travel” campaign, has a voucher system. (20) Diners can receive a 25% off voucher at participating restaurants in a given area. There is also a point system that diners can apply to use at these restaurants, with more discounts received based on returns to an establishment. Currently, some 33 prefectures are participating in this initiative. The “Go To Event” campaign was launched on October 30th, and also provides options for either a voucher for 20% off of the ticket or a coupon for purchasable items at the venue at the value of 20% of the ticket fee. (21) At this time, only Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is participating in this program. “Go To Shotengai” is still in the works, and has yet to launch. As these initiatives are still new, there is still little data in regards to their usage, but if the “Go To Travel” campaign is any indication, these programs hold much promise in attracting travelers and local residents alike. Tokyo luxury hotel staycation packages attempt to attract locals who may wish to have a different experience nearby where they live. 5. Conclusion Through the various public and private initiatives and campaigns, Japan has succeeded in increasing domestic travel. According to information from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and Tourism, and as assembled below in Figure 1, domestic travelers staying at tourist accommodations increased to 52% of 2019 figures in September. (22) In comparison, May had the year’s lowest figures at roughly 15% year-on-year of guests staying in hotels and other lodgings. Data from the MLIT of Japan, Graph by Shuntaro Okimoto (JITTI USA) These statistics are even more striking if comparing domestic and international travel. Figure 2 shows the volume that travel agencies have seen in transactions for domestic and international travel, as well as the number from international tourists. As one may notice, international travel and guests have remained almost nonexistent, while domestic tourism has increased after having reached similar lows. With the international travel ban still in place, the rebounding of domestic tourists has surely been a welcome to a distressed tourism industry. There is hope, however, that things will make a recovery soon, as it was announced last month that foreign tourists may be allowed back into the country again on a trial basis from April 2021.23 In the meantime, the national government and tourism-related businesses will surely continue their efforts to attract those close by to participate in their “Go To Travel” campaign*, workation promotions, and staycation programs. (*Since the writing of this article, the Japanese government has suspended the "Go To Travel" Campaign in areas where the coronavirus is spreading.) Data from the MLIT of Japan, Graph by Shuntaro Okimoto (JITTI USA) References: Ballard, J. (2018, July 31). Majority of Americans have taken a "staycation". Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://today.yougov.com/topics/travel/articles-reports/2018/07/31/majority-americans-have-taken-staycation Merriam Webster. Staycation. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/staycation-date-meaning Travelocity, P. (2020, October 08). Travelocity 2020 Holiday Travel Outlook: Most Families Aren't Going Home this Holiday, but they Aren't Staying Home Either. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/travelocity-2020-holiday-travel-outlook-most-families-arent-going-home-this-holiday-but-they-arent-staying-home-either-301148116.html?tc=eml_cleartime Mainichi Shimbun. New 'workation' system promotes spending more time with family members. (2018, August 05). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180804/p2a/00m/0na/030000c Reuters. (2017, July 24). Japan launches 'telework' campaign to ease congestion, reform work culture. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-economy-telework/japan-launches-telework-campaign-to-ease-congestion-reform-work-culture-idUSKBN1A90ET Phillips, F. (2020, January 7). Japan's Workstyle Reform Act – What Is the Compliance Deadline for Your Organization? Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/japan-s-workstyle-reform-act-what-is-91110/ MLIT. (2020). Go To トラベル事業とは. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://goto.jata-net.or.jp/about/ Japan Guide. (2020, November 17). 'Go To Travel' explained. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0053.html Dayman, L. (2020, July 13). Japan's "Go To Travel" Campaign: What You Need to Know. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2020/07/japans-go-to-travel-campaign-what-you-need-to-know/ 観光庁, J. (2020, November 13). Go To トラベル事業における利用実績等について: 2020年: 報道発表: 報道・会見: 観光庁. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news06_000484.html Osaki, T. (2020, July 30). Good time for a 'workation' but is Japan Inc. ready? Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/30/business/workation-japan/ Kyodo News. (2020, September 19). Japan national park facilities upgraded with "workation" in mind. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/09/ab57da1d46e5-japan-national-park-facilities-upgraded-with-workation-in-mind.html Nagase, Y. (2020, November 18). Tokyo's Yomiuriland now lets you work from a Ferris wheel and by the pool – wifi included. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/yomiuriland-amusement-parks-workcation-deal-lets-you-work-from-a-ferris-wheel-or-by-the-pool-101920 Inkl. (2020). Japan's 'workation' programs gain popularity amid pandemic. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.inkl.com/glance/news/japan-s-workation-programs-gain-popularity-amid-pandemic?section=coronavirus K, B. (2020, October 21). 'Workation' program at the foothills of Mount Fuji offers fresh air and a welcome change of pace. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/workation-program-at-the-foothills-of-mount-fuji-offers-fresh-air-and-a-welcome-change-of-pace KYODO News. (2020, June 24). Half of telecommuters in Japan work longer than before pandemic. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/882ace2907a2-half-of-telecommuters-in-japan-work-longer-than-before-pandemic.html HOSHINOYA, Tokyo. (2020). Edo Beauty Stay: Experience: HOSHINOYA Tokyo: Resort Hotel in Tokyo, Japan - Hotel Reservation. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo/en/experience/edo-beauty-stay/ The Peninsula Tokyo. (2020). The Peninsula Tokyo: The Eight Loves of The Peninsula Tokyo. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.peninsula.com/en/tokyo/special-offers/rooms/8-loves-of-tokyo Begum, H. (2020, August 23). ANA Flies Its Airbus A380 Carrying Passengers To Nowhere. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://simpleflying.com/ana-a380-charter-lottery/ Finn, C. (2020, November 18). Japan's "Go To Eat" Campaign: What You Need to Know. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://tokyocheapo.com/food-and-drink/go-to-eat-campaign/ Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. (2020). 経済産業省 Go Toイベントキャンペーン. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://gotoevent.go.jp/ 観光庁. (2020). 旅行業者取扱額: 統計情報: 統計情報・白書: 観光庁. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/siryou/toukei/toriatsukai.html 

Concept of Operations for Advanced Air Mobility (ConOps for AAM) in Japan < Back

JITTI Journal September 2024 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2024 Feature Article Itsukushima: Japan’s Cutting-Edge Maritime Training Vessel Shaping Future Coast Guard Officers by Daisuke Komatsu The Japan Coast Guard Academy’s newly commissioned training vessel, Itsukushima, launched this summer of 2024, marks a significant step forward in maritime training and Japan’s territorial security. It replaces the long-serving Kojima, which was well-known and loved during its world training voyages, including frequent visits to the U.S. With Itsukushima expected to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps, visiting the U.S. as part of its future training missions, it is hoped that the ship will continue to symbolize the strong Japan-U.S. maritime partnership. New Training Vessel _Itsukushima_ Image provided by: Japan Coast Guard The ship was built under Japan’s broader strategy to strengthen maritime capabilities, particularly in response to growing demands for security operations around the Senkaku Islands. Japan Coast Guard operations in these waters have increased in recent years, necessitating an expansion of training programs. The Academy has also increased student intake, with new programs aimed at university graduates, further stretching the capacity of the aging Kojima, and creating the need for a more advanced and spacious training vessel. Itsukushima, at 134 meters long and 5500 tons, is almost double the size of its predecessor Kojima, which had a gross tonnage of around 3000 tons. When comparing their gross tonnages, Itsukushima offers significantly more capacity, allowing for the training of more students and advanced equipment. This increase in size and capacity ensures that the new vessel can meet the growing demands of the Japan Coast Guard’s expanding training programs. Interior view of Itsukushima's bridge Image provided by: Japan Coast Guard A distinctive feature of Itsukushima is its dual-layer bridge system. The upper bridge is used for operational navigation, while the lower bridge is dedicated to student training. Both bridges are equipped with the same navigation instruments, allowing students to practice maneuvering a ship in real-time without interrupting the ship’s regular operations. This design significantly enhances practical training modules, enabling students to gain hands-on experience while the ship remains fully functional for official duties. Trainees undertaking their first onboard training aboard Itsukushima Image provided by: Japan Coast Guard Additionally, Itsukushima is equipped with classrooms and multipurpose rooms for student use, which are essential for conducting international exchanges and hosting receptions when the vessel visits various ports. The ship is also designed to serve in emergency response missions during natural disasters, featuring enhanced seaworthiness and long-range operational capabilities. With state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems, the vessel provides realistic and practical training experiences that prepare students for real-world missions. The ship’s name, Itsukushima, derives from the famous island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to the renowned Itsukushima Shrine, symbolizing Japan’s deep maritime traditions. Beyond its vital training missions, Itsukushima will be showcased at several ports in Japan and foreign countries to further strengthen Japan’s ties with its international allies. As Itsukushima embarks on its voyages, including planned visits to the U.S., it is poised to become a new symbol of Japan-U.S. cooperation. The Japan Coast Guard hopes for continued support and encouragement as it trains the next generation of officers. Along with another training vessel currently under construction, Itsukushima will enable the Japan Coast Guard Academy to offer enhanced training to a larger number of students, preparing them for the increasing challenges of securing Japan’s territorial waters and ensuring maritime security. The former training vessel, Kojima, entrusted its mission to Itsukushima. Image provided by: Japan Coast Guard

How Has COVID-19 Affected Transportation in Japan? How Has COVID 19 Affected Transportation in Japan? An Introduction of Japanese Statistics by Shuntaro Okimoto The impact of COVID 19 on the transportation and tourism sectors is significant, and no one knows when the pandemic will end. I live near Washington, DC, so I feel the impact on this region every day. On the other hand, how has my home country of Japan, on the other side of the globe, been affected? The virus, which has caused us suffering, is the same around the world, and Japan, like the United States, also has modern and functional transportation modes, such as railroads, airplanes, and cars. Is the impact on transportation in Japan similar to that in the United States? Or instead, has the coronavirus impacted the transportation sector differently between the United States, which has a vast continent, and Japan, which is a small island country surrounded by the sea? By introducing the latest statistics issued by the Japanese government, I would like to give you a chance to ponder this topic. All Japanese data used in this document was provided by the Japanese government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/joho03_hh_000139.html (in Japanese only) I browsed the following pages to find US data: “Monthly Transportation Statistics” (Bureau of Transportation Statistics) https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Monthly-Transportation-Statistics/m9eb-yevh 1. Rail Passengers The number of rail passengers has decreased since March, and in April and May it was 54% of the number from the same month the previous year. It recovered slightly in June, reaching 70% of last year’s number. According to the Passenger km, which is data obtained by multiplying the number of passengers to the distance traveled (shown by the orange line in the graph above), the drop is larger than the data for the number of passengers (shown by the blue line). This is because the number of passengers traveling long-distances is significantly decreasing. Passengers on the high-speed railway in Japan, called the Shinkansen, have recovered only to 20% in July, and the latest release by the railway company suggests that this trend will continue at least until August. This data is shocking. As you may be aware if you are familiar with Japan, the Japanese love taking the train very much. In urban areas, such as Tokyo, there are extremely convenient urban railroads and subways, and many businessmen working in Tokyo commute by rail every weekday. Also, during long weekends, they go far away using the Shinkansen that connects cities. If you visit Japan, you will probably ride several trains. The reason why passengers disappeared from trains, which have a strong presence in Japan's domestic transportation system, is that the government issued a state of emergency on April 7th, which restricted commuting to offices and restrained people from traveling for holidays. (Currently, the state of emergency has been lifted.) Japan's leading railroad companies (many of which are completely private companies) announced their financial results for the April-June quarter in mid-August, but all the companies were in the red.  In the United States, the number of intercity rail passengers has almost disappeared since the latter half of March, and in June it recovered to only about 7% of the same month last year. Urban rail passengers fell to 10% year-on-year in April, but then recovered to 24%. Passenger growth has recovered faster in Japan, probably because of the difference in the presence of railways. 2. Air Passengers Air passenger numbers on Japanese carriers were at their worst in May, and have started to get a little better since then. Domestic passengers in June have recovered to 20% year-on-year, and this recovery trend is expected to continue. On the other hand, attracting international passengers continues to be in a difficult due to continued immigration restrictions and self-isolation by countries around the world. In the United States, domestic flights in June accounted for 22% year-on-year, and international flights in the same month accounted for about 5%. The recovery of US and Japanese air passengers is about the same. Japanese air carriers are facing a very difficult situation, just as air carriers in other countries are. Although they secure cash through frequent borrowing, there is currently no direct government support for air carriers, such as the subsidies found under the US CARES Act. Regarding, the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on air passengers, I wrote another report in April with more detailed information. If you are interested in reading it, you can access it from the link below. https://af934965-c8f7-4701-9b19-735ce5bd25c9.filesusr.com/ugd/af054c_8405014ca6394fa5809f0a666fbcb3b6.pdf 3. Buses and Taxes This is passenger data for buses and taxis in Tokyo. The number of passengers riding taxis decreased sharply until May. It can be said that it is currently on a recovery trend, rising to 50% year-on-year in June. The number of passengers riding fixed-route buses in July in the United States was about 50% compared to the same month of the previous year, and the recovery is slower than in Japan, which has numbers of over 70%. 4. Logistics The impact on logistics is different from that of passengers. The effect of the pandemic on domestic logistics is small, and it has instead invigorated some logistic industries. The increase in door-to-door package transportation is thought to be due to the increase in the use of online shopping during the pandemic. Less-than-truckload freight shipping (LTL) is used for the transportation of small freight, or when a freight doesn’t require the use of an entire trailer. Looking at the impact of trucks on logistic transportation from the perspective of LTL and general motor trucks, there has not been much of a negative effect. The impact on logistics for other modes has also been small compared than that for passengers. The decrease in air cargo is thought to be due to the decline in passenger flights.  In the US, the impact on logistics and passenger transportation is the same. What is noteworthy about US freight transport is that air cargo in June exceeded last year's levels both domestically and internationally. For domestic flights, it has been more than 10% higher than last year since April. 5. Travel Agencies The Japanese government has been focusing on policies to attract foreign visitors to Japan. However, from March to July, foreign visitors have almost disappeared to about 0.1% year-on-year. In addition, domestic tourism has declined since March in Japan. As a result, travel agencies are in great trouble. To improve this situation, the Japanese government started a policy of subsidizing domestic private travel in July. Some people are concerned about the spread of infection by this measure, but the positive effects of increasing the number of people traveling domestically has begun to appear. In the third week of September, which is when I am writing this article, Japan has four holidays, and some reports suggest that the most people have enjoyed traveling at this time than since the pandemic began. I discovered that Japan and the United States, whose lands are completely different in size and shape, have been similarly affected by the pandemic. Especially in the field of transportation, even if the movement of people has extremely reduced, the movement of goods has not reduced very much, or may have even been partially invigorated. The traffic modes in both countries will remain changing their operation even in the new normal. We will continue to monitor the impact of pandemics on transportation in Japan and the United States. If you have any questions about the current state of transportation and tourism in Japan, please feel free to contact us. Back to All JITTI Journals September 2020 Feature Article