This report, which includes content presented at the 157th Transport Policy Colloquium hosted by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) in December 2023, provides an overview of recent U.S. government initiatives related to advanced air mobility (AAM). < Back Civil Aviation June 2025 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 3 By Shinichiro Tsuri This report, which includes content presented at the 157th Transport Policy Colloquium hosted by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) in December 2023, provides an overview of recent U.S. government initiatives related to advanced air mobility (AAM). Download the Report

In June 2021, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published regulations for the record database of airline pilots. This report describes the conventional regulations regarding the confirmation of a pilot's record, and the subsequent aviation accidents which set the background for the introduction of new regulations. < Back Civil Aviation Regulations for the Records Database of Airline Pilots By Yoshihiro Fujimaki In June 2021, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published regulations for the record database of airline pilots. This report describes the conventional regulations regarding the confirmation of a pilot's record, and the subsequent aviation accidents which set the background for the introduction of new regulations. Download the Report

Toward the Spread and Expansion of Sports Culture Tourism Toward the Spread and Expansion of Sports Culture Tourism By Hirokazu Nishikawa While there are various forms of tourism around the world, there is a movement to promote and expand "sports culture tourism" in Japan as well. Sports culture tourism refers to the establishment and dissemination of new regional and Japanese brands by linking local sporting events with cultural and artistic resources, with the aim of increasing the number of foreign visitors to Japan, revitalizing domestic tourism, and revitalizing the Japanese and regional economies. The "Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement among the Japan Sports Agency, Agency for Cultural Affairs, and Japan Tourism Agency" was signed in March 2016 between the three government agencies listed, and they have been holding the "Sports Culture Tourism Awards" every year since then. The Sports Culture Tourism Awards publicly solicits, selects, and presents awards to initiatives and events that contribute to the promotion of sports culture tourism. For the 8th award, Sports Culture Tourism Award 2023, seven award-winning organizations were selected from among 29 initiatives and events that were submitted from August to September 2023 (announced in the press on January 11, 2024). In this issue, I would like to introduce the initiatives of these award-winning organizations. Main Awards (Applicant Organization) Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture “Sports Culture Tourism Centered on Imabari Castle, the Strongest Castle in Japan - The History of the Seto Inland Sea Central Region's Domination Leads to the Present Day” Outline of the Project The “Imabari Castle” in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, is the center of a series of events held in the Seto Inland Sea in Japanese fiscal year (※) 2022. The cultural event Takatora Summit in Imabari was held, and sports events such as Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Three-Day March, Imabari Criterium (a mass-start road-cycle race), Cycling Shimanami 2022, and Imabari City Marathon took place, attracting many people from Japan and abroad. In addition, Setouchi Minato Marché, a food and specialty event, was organized to encourage event visitors and tourists to stay in the city. (※) Japanese fiscal year runs from April to March (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The Marché event has done a good job of involving the local community through the use of citizen volunteers, etc. Each event is attractive, and cultural and natural resources such as Imabari Castle, Murakami Suigun, and the Shimanami Sea Route are utilized to hold cultural and sporting events that appeal to a wide range of people. Various efforts are being made to disseminate information overseas through PR on airline flights, production of TV dramas, and cooperation with bicycle manufacturers. (Applicant Organization) Echigo Matsudai Trail Running Executive Committee “[We plan to] revitalize old paths scattered throughout the satoyama (mountainous regions within village-vicinities) and to make them available as new regional resources! “Echigo Matsudai Spring Festival Trail Running Race" " Outline of the project A trail running event held in Matsudai, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. Old roads that are no longer used and in disrepair were re-excavated and prepared for the course, which included a course through a satoyama village. The event was created to allow participants to experience the original landscape of Japan. By linking the event with the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, it will have the unique feature of "combining art and trail running," and its objectives are to revitalize local communities, preserve the satoyama environment, and advocate climate change action for athletes. (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The potential tourism resource of old roads in satoyama is well utilized. The project involves the local community and attracts inbound visitors. This is a very effective opportunity to highlight permanent artwork. (Applicant Organization) Annaka City Tourism Organization, General Incorporated Association “ A Railway’s Dead End, Dead No Longer: Revitalization efforts for the benefit of future generations ” Outline of Initiatives Since 2018, a walking tour has operated using an abandoned railway line in Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture, utilizing the Yokogawa-Karuizawa section of the Shinetsu Main Line (commonly known as the Usui Line), which was last operated in 1997. The event is an 11-km guided walk along the normally off-limits section of the line to experience its historical value and the difficulty of crossing the mountain pass. More than 90% of the participants are from outside of the prefecture, making this event a draw that will encourage other local travel and spending. (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The use of a disused railroad line makes it feel special, and the fact that it has a solid historical background and a story to tell is highly valuable. The fact that the target audience is not only people who like traveling and hiking, but also people who like railroads and civil engineering structures is new. The fact that the majority of participants are from outside of the prefecture is also very tourism-oriented. By becoming a model case for the utilization of abandoned railway lines, of which there are likely to be many throughout Japan, it is hoped that other derivative models can be created. Special Awards *Two applicable cases ① (Applicant Organization) Nara City General Foundation, General Incorporated Foundation “Enjoy authentic Japanese archery for foreign tourists - Experience the spirit of the samurai in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan ” Outline of the Project This is a project to allow foreign tourists to experience authentic Japanese archery derived from the tradition of Bushido in Nara, the hometown of the samurai. They will learn the basics of Kyudo and how to behave under the gentle and strict one-on-one guidance of a high-ranked instructor, and finally shoot an arrow by themselves. The goal is to promote the image of "Budo" = "Nara" and "Budo" = "Nara's new brand" internationally, which will lead to budo tourism from overseas. (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The value of this event will be enhanced for the local community with its history and background. The opportunity to experience authentic martial arts by wearing hakama in a real dojo is a good opportunity for visitors to understand the beauty and dignity of the Japanese people. It is a good opportunity for visitors to learn more about Nara by learning about cultural elements. ② (Applicant Organization) Fukushima Town Tourism Association “Fukushima Town, Hokkaido: "Sumo Tournament for Women Only" - the only town in Japan to have two yokozuna (sumo grand champions)” Outline of the Project The "Sumo Tournament for Women Only" has been held in Fukushima-cho, Hokkaido since 1991. It began as a project to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Kawasuso Shrine's founding and to dedicate the "women-only festival procession," and has been held every year on the second Sunday of May (Mother's Day), with the 29th held in 2023. By holding sumo, which is recognized as a national sport, as an event targeting women, they aim to broaden its base and provide a good opportunity for the children who support it to think about "women's activities" and "gender equality.” (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation This event is attended by people from overseas and outside the region. This event has been carried out for about 30 years, and it is highly valued as a part of the local sumo culture. The program has been carried out continuously with a cultural and historical　background, while also taking into account the viewpoint of women's activities. (Applicant Organization) Tourism Promotion Bureau of Shimosuwa Town Regional Development Corporation, General Incorporated Association “National Historic Site and Japanese Heritage: The Jomon World of the Starry Central Highlands: Making the "Hoshigatou Obsidian Origin Site" a Tourism Resource” Outline of the Project The Hoshigatoh Obsidian Site in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, was recognized as a National Historic Site in 2015 and a Japan Heritage Site in 2018. The Hoshigatoh Ruins, which are normally off-limits to visitors, will be offered as a special tour with commentary by the discoverer/excavator. In addition, they are taking a multifaceted approach by collaborating with cultural resources and museum facilities scattered in the surrounding area. By actively utilizing cultural assets while properly managing them, the project aims to create a virtuous cycle of culture, tourism, and regional revitalization. (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The content is a combination of Japanese heritage sites and surrounding culture, and the presence of a variety of guides adds value. The program is designed to involve local businesses, is also designed to encourage participants to become repeat visitors, and to create fans of the local community. The project is contributing to the expansion of recognition of Japanese heritage sites themselves. (Applicant Organization) Office of the Tan-Tetsu-ko Promotion Council “"Tan-Tetsu-Ko Meshi (Tan-Tetsu-ko Meal) Project," a culinary tour of a Japanese heritage site Outline of the Project The story of the coal and other industrial revolutions "Coal, Iron, and Port (Tan-tetsu-ko)" in Sorachi, Hokkaido, which supported Japan's growth and recovery from the Meiji era through the prewar, wartime, and postwar periods, has been recognized as a Japan Heritage site. This initiative named the food that took root in the lives of people who worked in coal mines, steel mills, ports, and railway-related facilities "Tan-tetsu-ko Meshi (Coal, Iron, and Port Meal)”, and in FY2021, commercialized the food at a major convenience store chain and installed panels at tourist information centers. In FY2022, they produced a guidebook listing the restaurants where Tan-tetsu-ko meshi was actually available and conducted an online stamp rally. (Image Source : Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001717137.pdf ) Evaluation The program focuses on food that can be tasted in the region and makes full use of the Japanese heritage story. The collaboration with a major convenience store chain is interesting because of its novelty. The program is collaborating with a number of businesses in the region, and is working on a wide-area partnership within a 100-kilometer radius. These award-winning organizations were honored at a related event, the 7th Sports Culture Tourism Symposium, held in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo on February 2, 2024. The Japanese government is committed to regional revitalization, which aims to correct the concentration of people in Tokyo, halt the population decline in rural areas, and increase the vitality of Japan as a whole. I believe that the revitalization of these regions through tourism will have a significant effect as a first step toward this goal. 【References】 「スポーツ文化ツーリズムアワード 2023 」の受賞団体を発表します ～スポーツ文化ツーリズムの普及、拡大に向けて～ | 2024 年 | 報道発表 | 報道・会見 | 観光庁 ( mlit.go.jp ) Back to All JITTI Journals March 2024 Feature Article

With the update of "Runway to Recovery" by the U.S. DOT, DHS, HHS late last year, government agencies hope to provide airports, airlines, and passengers with the most current guidelines for safe air travel, and give each party an understanding of the need for cooperation and individual accountability. < Back Civil Aviation The United States Framework for Airlines and Airports to Mitigate the Public Health Risks of Coronavirus By Daisuke Takagi With the update of "Runway to Recovery" by the U.S. DOT, DHS, HHS late last year, government agencies hope to provide airports, airlines, and passengers with the most current guidelines for safe air travel, and give each party an understanding of the need for cooperation and individual accountability. Download the Report

Status of Automated Driving on Subways Status of Automated Driving on Subways by Naoki Sato Automation is advancing across all sectors of society, from logistics and warehouse operations to familiar areas like automobiles and home appliances. In recent years, developments in generative AI and robotics have brought about systems that operate without human intervention, gradually becoming integrated into our daily lives. Many of you may have already experienced some form of this transformation. Subways, which support urban mobility, are also taking part in this trend toward automation. In the past, subways were typically operated manually by drivers and conductors, but in recent years, automatic train operation (ATO) systems have been increasingly adopted in countries like Japan and the United States. In this article, we will explore the definition and classification of automatic train operation in subways, introduce examples of its implementation in Japan, and compare them with the situation in the United States to gain a deeper understanding of subway automation. When people hear that a train has "automated driving" they often imagine a fully unmanned train with no driver or conductor. However, automatic train operation in the railway industry consists of several levels, which are internationally classified under the “Grade of Automation” (GoA) system. For example, GoA1 refers to "non-automated operation" (manual operation), where drivers and conductors control acceleration, braking, door operations, and respond to abnormalities. At GoA2, acceleration and braking are automated, while the driver is mainly responsible for monitoring and emergency handling. This GoA2 level is currently widespread in countries such as Japan and the United States, as mentioned earlier. GoA3 is known as "driverless train operation with an onboard attendant" — trains run and stop automatically, with no driver onboard. The attendant, who is not required to be in the front cab, is responsible for tasks such as emergency evacuation guidance. The most advanced level, GoA4, is fully unmanned — all operations, including monitoring, door control, and abnormality handling, are managed entirely by the system. In Japan, a unique intermediate level called "GoA2.5" — which is not included in the international standards — is also being considered. At this level, a crew member without a train driver’s license rides in the front cab and is responsible for emergency stops, providing a transitional form of operation. Classification of Grades of Automation (GoA) in railway operation. (Adapted from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), September 13, 2022, "Railway Autonomous Driving Technology Study Group" p. 2) In Japan, GoA2-level operation, which eliminates the need for a conductor, is commonly referred to as “one-man operation,” and it has already been implemented on many lines. For example, on Tokyo Metro’s Namboku Line, one-man operation using ATO (GoA2) was introduced when the line first opened in 1991. That same year, the Toei Subway also introduced one-man operation (GoA2) on the newly opened sections of the Ōedo Line. Since then, this system has expanded to other lines, including Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi and Yūrakuchō Lines, as well as Toei’s Mita Line. Alongside the introduction of one-man ATO operations, platform doors have also been installed to enhance safety, reflecting efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure for secure automated operations. Through such comprehensive initiatives, urban subways in Japan are steadily progressing toward automation, even if full driverless operation has yet to be realized. More recently, Tokyo Metro announced that starting in 2025, it will conduct demonstration tests aimed at achieving GoA2.5 operation on the Marunouchi Line, in conjunction with the transition to a CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) system. A photo of the platform doors installed on the Namboku Line （ by Metro Cultural Foundation ） Meanwhile, subway automation in the United States began earlier than in Japan. In Washington, D.C., WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) introduced GoA2-level automatic train operation (ATO) when the system opened in 1976. However, after a rear-end collision occurred in 2009, automatic operation was suspended. Following various safety improvement measures, ATO was reintroduced on the Red Line in 2024. While there were plans to expand automated operation to other lines beginning in 2025, issues such as train overruns emerged after the reintroduction. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) called for thorough investigation and verification before any further expansion. On May 23, 2025, WMATA received approval from the WMSC and began expanding ATO to the Green and Yellow Lines. In recent years, New York’s MTA has developed plans to upgrade its aging signal systems to CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control), and along with this, the introduction of GoA2-level automatic train operation (ATO) is also being pursued. However, due to the substantial costs involved, it appears that expanding the number of lines with ATO will take many years. WMATA GoA Initiatives （Adapted from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), April 24, 2025, “World Class Transit Safety and Operations Committee”, p.9） Up to this point, we’ve taken a brief look at the state of subway automation in Japan and the United States. But why is automatic operation being introduced in subways in the first place? One major reason is to address labor shortages. In Japan, where the population is aging and birthrates are declining, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure sufficient numbers of drivers and conductors. Automation helps reduce the number of required personnel on-site and contributes to maintaining a sustainable operational system. In addition, by systematizing train operations, it reduces human error and improves the precision of on-time performance. (Japan had a high level of punctuality even before autonomous driving was introduced.) Furthermore, in the case of Japan, automation has been implemented in conjunction with platform doors, helping to create safer environments for visually impaired passengers and others. The advancement of automation in subways is not merely about reducing manpower—it also plays an important role in ensuring safety and peace of mind for a diverse range of users. To maintain subways—the “lifelines of the city”—in a safe and sustainable way, automatic operation technology will become an increasingly vital tool in the years ahead. While some countries and regions around the world have already introduced GoA4-level fully automated systems, it is our hope that Japan and the United States—each with well-developed existing networks and similar conditions—will deepen their cooperation and continue working toward even better subway systems. References Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute website (Research report on autonomous driving) https://www.jttri.or.jp/events/2024/sympo55.html Tokyo Metro website: https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2023/214836.html (Consideration of GoA2.5 on the Marunouchi Line) https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2024/219601.html (Introduction of CBTC on the Marunouchi Line) Metro Cultural Foundation https://metroarchive.jp/pic_year/year1990/%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%89%E3%82%A2-2.html Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/content/001512320.pdf WMATA https://www.wmata.com/about/calendar/events/Safety-and-Operations-Committee-April-24-2025.cfm https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-to-launch-Automatic-Train-Operation-on-the-Green-and-Yellow-lines-on-May-23.cfm The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/04/09/metro-automation-red-line-safety/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/05/21/green-yellow-metro-automated/ Back to All JITTI Journals May 2025 Feature Article

Amendment of Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act in Response to the Haneda Airport Runway Collision < Back

2020 Expansion of International Air Networks in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport 2020 Expansion of International Air Networks in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport by Hiroki Sakamoto While air passenger transport in the world has been steadily growing, Japan hopes to achieve even greater targets of 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 and 60 million in 2030, and is implementing policies in order to address these increasing aviation demands. One major policy is to enhance the functions of Tokyo metropolitan airports (Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport (Narita Airport)). Efforts are now underway for the two airports to jointly achieve take-offs/landings at the world’s top rates (approximately 1 million per year), roughly the same as those for New York or London. Specifically, efforts are being made to increase the airport capacity by such measures as reviewing the flight paths to and from Haneda Airport and developing a third runway in Narita Airport. In August 2019, the United States and Japanese Government officials in charge of aviation negotiations reached an agreement to increase daytime services (6:00-22:55) between Haneda Airport and U.S. destinations. Among the 50 new international slot pairs created at the airport, they allocate 12 new slot pairs (12 arrivals and 12 departures daily) for U.S. air carriers, and 12 new slot pairs for Japanese air carriers. The new flight services are expected to be available from March 29th, 2020, at the beginning of the Summer 2020 season, and in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. A control tower at Haneda Airport In September 2019, after considerations on how to expand the number of foreign visitors and strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan announced the allocation of slots for 50 flights. For the first time, Russia, Australia, India, Italy, Turkey, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) acquired daytime slots into the country. The allocations of slots for the 50 flights are as follows by country: USA: 24 flights China: 8 flights Russia: 4 flights Australia: 4 flights India: 2 flights Italy: 2 flights Turkey: 2 flights Finland: 2 flights Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway): 2 flights Among the 50 flights, 25 flights were allocated to Japanese air carriers (ANA: 13.5 flights, JAL: 11.5 flights in total). USA: ANA 6 flights, JAL 6 flights China: ANA 2 flights, JAL 2 flights Russia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight Australia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight India: ANA 0.5 flights, JAL 0.5 flights Italy: ANA 1 flight Turkey: ANA 1 flight Finland: JAL 1 flight Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, or Norway) : ANA 1 flight An aerial view of Haneda airport, which is close to downtown Tokyo The details of slot allocations for each international region are as follows: 1) North America : Currently, both the U.S. and Canada have daytime slots, but for this most recent change, only the slots for the U.S. were expanded. Regarding U.S. air carriers, Delta Air Lines will have flights from Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, Portland and Honolulu; United Airlines will have flights from Newark (N.J.), Chicago O’Hare, Washington-Dulles and Los Angeles; American Airlines will have flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles; and Hawaiian Airlines will have a flight from Honolulu. Delta Air Lines decided that it will fully transfer its U.S.-Tokyo flights from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport, bringing its operations closer to central Tokyo. Regarding Japanese airline routes to the United States, ANA and JAL are each allocated 6 flights. Currently, ANA operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York, and Honolulu, and from Haneda Airport to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Honolulu. From March 29, 2020, ANA is planning to offer new non-stop services from Haneda Airport to Houston, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C. Also, ANA will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - Los Angeles route in 2020. In addition, all routes from Narita Airport to Houston, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C., and some routes to Los Angeles, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. JAL operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Boston, Honolulu, Kona and Guam, and from Haneda Airport to San Francisco and New York. From March 29, 2020, JAL is planning to establish new services between Haneda Airport and Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Also, JAL will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - New York route in 2020. Furthermore, all routes from Narita Airport to New York and Dallas, and some routes to Chicago and Honolulu, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. 2) Asia: China has acquired eight new flights, making it the country with the second most slots after the United States. Currently, both Japanese and Chinese airlines fly to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou during the daytime. India has newly been awarded daytime slots for the first time. There were no additional slots for South Korea. 3) Europe: Currently, there are landing slots during the day time for the United Kingdom, France and Germany. However, no additional slots for these countries were awarded. Slots for Russia, Italy, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) are newly being applied. From March 2020, daytime services between U.S. cities and Haneda Airport will be drastically increased. That means that US citizens will easily able to travel to local areas in Japan such as Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa by using the numerous and various domestic connecting flights at Haneda Airport. Why don’t you plan your next journey to Japan by utilizing the expanded and advanced aviation transport networks at Haneda Airport? Back to All JITTI Journals November 2019 Feature Article

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

New technologies have made it possible to design and develop aircraft that can operate at altitudes never seen before. As demand increases, operation in Upper Class E airspace (defined as above 60,000 feet) is an opportunity for alternative traffic management approaches. Read how the FAA and NASA, along with those in the aviation industry, are making efforts to ensure safe and efficient operations at these great heights. < Back Civil Aviation Assessment for Utilizing Upper Class E Airspace in the United States By Yoshihiro Fujimaki New technologies have made it possible to design and develop aircraft that can operate at altitudes never seen before. As demand increases, operation in Upper Class E airspace (defined as above 60,000 feet) is an opportunity for alternative traffic management approaches. Read how the FAA and NASA, along with those in the aviation industry, are making efforts to ensure safe and efficient operations at these great heights. Download the Report

JITTI Journal January 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2025 Feature Article Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan by Shinichiro Tsuri Background 2025 is a year with a big event, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which will be held for 184 days from April 13th to October 13th, 2025 in Yumeshima, Osaka. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which is the next-generation of air mobility expected to operate in the near future, is one of the hot topics of the expo, as a part of the Smart Mobility Expo in the Future Society Showcase Project Exhibition. Currently, four AAM operators are planning to conduct demonstration flights around the expo site in Yumeshima, and between two ports inside and outside the expo site. Although the plans of these operations are still in flux, in this article, I will introduce an overview of the planned AAM operations at the upcoming expo as of December 2024, when this article was drafted. Planned Ports Image Source: Information added to a map compiled by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan Expected Operators ANA HD / Joby Aviation All Nippon Airways Holdings (a holding company of All Nippon Airways) and Joby Aviation (a U.S. electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer) are planning to operate Joby Aviation’s S4. This model is classified as a “vectored thrust” type, which has fixed wings and uses the same thrust mechanism for vertical takeoff/landing and cruising by changing the orientation of the thrust mechanism. Major specifications of the S4 are as follows: Seating capacity: 5 (1 pilot and 4 passengers) Maximum cruise speed: 322km/h They plan to operate the S4 at the EXPO Vertiport based around the bay area in Yumeshima. Joby Aviation’s S4 (Courtesy of Joby Aviation. (c) Joby Aero, Inc.) Image Source: Website of Joby Aviation (Media Kit) Soracle Soracle Corporation, which is a joint venture of Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines, is planning to operate Midnight from Archer Aviation (a U.S. eVTOL aircraft developer). This model is also a “vectored thrust” type eVTOL aircraft like Joby Aviation’s S4 above. Major specifications of Midnight are as follows: Seating capacity: 5 (1 pilot and 4 passengers) Payload: 454kg Range: 161km (normally 32 ~ 80 km operation is expected) Maximum cruise speed: 241km/h They plan to operate Midnight between the EXPO Vertiport and the Osaka Heliport. Archer Aviation’s Midnight at Public Exhibition Photo Source: Shinichiro Tsuri Marubeni Marubeni Corporation is planning to operate the VX4 from Vertical Aerospace, which is a UK eVTOL aircraft developer (and also HEXA from LIFT Aircraft, which is a U.S. eVTOL aircraft developer). This model is also a “vectored thrust” type eVTOL aircraft like the two aforementioned models. Major specifications of the VX4 are as follows: Seating capacity: 5 (1 pilot and 4 passengers) Range: 161km Maximum cruise speed: 241km/h They plan to operate the VX4 between the EXPO Vertiport and Amagasaki Phoenix. Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 ((c) Vertical Aerospace Ltd.) Image Source: Website of Vertical Aerospace (Media Kit) SkyDrive SkyDrive (a Japanese eVTOL aircraft developer) is planning to operate its SKYDRIVE. This model is classified as a “multi-rotor” type, which does not have fixed wings and uses a thrust mechanism consisting of three or more rotors for vertical take-off and landing. Major specifications of SKYDRIVE are as follows: Seating capacity: 3 (1 pilot and 2 passengers) Maximum takeoff weight: 1,400kg Range: Approx. 15km Maximum cruise speed: 100km/h They plan to operate SKYDRIVE between the EXPO Vertiport and Osaka Port, Central Jetty. SkyDrive’s SKYDRIVE ((c) SkyDrive Inc.) Image Source: Website of SkyDrive Conclusion While the AAMs mentioned above are still under development and in the process of type certification, the expected operators are advancing their efforts to carry out demonstration flights at the expo. I hope that the actualization of these flights will provide a significant opportunity to enhance the social acceptance of AAM, as well as yield best practices and lessons learned that can be shared internationally regarding AAM operations. References Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Smart Mobility Expo, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/future-index/smart-mobility/advanced-air-mobility/ Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Status of each company's consideration of AAM at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan https://www.expo2025.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/20240926-1-siryou1.pdf Joby Aviation https://www.jobyaviation.com/ Archer Aviation https://archer.com/ Vertical Aerospace https://vertical-aerospace.com/ SkyDrive https://skydrive2020.com/

JITTI Journal July 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2020 Feature Article MaaS in Urban Tokyo by Daisuke Miyamoto 1. What is MaaS? (1) "Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the integration of various forms of transport services into a single mobility service accessible on demand. To meet a customer’s request, a MaaS operator facilitates a diverse menu of transport options, be they public transport, ride-, car- or bike-sharing, taxi or car rental/lease, or a combination thereof. For the user, MaaS can offer added value through use of a single application to provide access to mobility , with a single payment channel instead of multiple ticketing and payment operations. For its users, MaaS should be the best value proposition , by helping them meet their mobility needs and solve the inconvenient parts of individual journeys as well as the entire system of mobility services.” 2. What has the concept of MaaS done?  While the MaaS concept has affected every transportation industry throughout the world, at the same time, Daimler, who is the one of car leading companies in the world, revealed their “CASE” concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. CASE stands for the fields of networking (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric) (2) , and will impact the car industry as well. It is said that both innovations will cause a great mobility revolution that is only seen once every 100 years since cars were first developed. Because both concepts help reduce the ownership of cars, curtail carbon dioxide emissions, encourage the use of public transportation and minimize congestion, many countries and companies have been studying MaaS and CASE in order to enlist these concepts. 3. MaaS in Japan (3) The Japanese government has studied MaaS as well to ride the wave of its increasing popularity, and found that when MaaS is simulated in their future investment strategies, it helps the surrounding communities to achieve a high quality of life and mobilizes society by driving up the potential demand for going out. However, because there are many types of cities in Japan, and each one has several types of transportation options, it has been difficult to directly apply a single concept to every city. They have had to consider and develop a way for MaaS to be suitable for Japan, or one might say that they created a Japanese MaaS. Finally, the Japanese government has found that there are 5 suitable types of MaaS in Japan, as follows: a. Metropolis b. Suburb c. Regional city d. Rural area e. Tourism These MaaS types have different goals, but the Japanese government believes that MaaS will be one of the better solutions for an aging society and expanding urbanization. 4. One MaaS Case Study in Tokyo Tokyo Metro, one of the leading subway operators in the world, has recently launched their MaaS project (4) . They called their Metropolis MaaS project “My! Tokyo MaaS." Tokyo Metro has 179 stations, 7.55 million passengers, and a 195.0 km rail network in Tokyo, so they have earned the position to be able to develop a Metropolis type of MaaS. They emphasize 3 concepts in order to add value to their rail network and service, as follows: a. Personalized trip planning and added value Passengers can get easier access to information for their destination, like routes to elevators in stations and paths to take to avoid getting wet when it’s raining. b. Real-time train operation information Passengers can, of course, get real-time transit operation information and train location information, but can also moreover get suggestions of detours in the case of an accident. c. A more precise network Tokyo Metro will work together with other mobility operators to enable passengers to easily access various mobility modes. I believe that this project will assist not only commuters around urban Tokyo, but also foreign visitors. We are in severe times with COVID-19, but I believe that we can overcome it and enjoy travel again someday, of course with “My! Tokyo MaaS.” Fig. Concept image of my! Tokyo MaaS References: https://maas-alliance.eu/homepage/what-is-maas/ https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/CASE-Networked-strategy.xhtml?oid=29182599#:~:text=CASE%20%E2%80%93%20these%20letters%20are%20shaping,corporate%20strategy%20of%20Daimler%20AG . https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001287842.pdf https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/images_h/metroNews20200325_34.pdf

JITTI Journal January 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2023 Feature Article Autonomous Driving in Restricted Areas at Japanese Airports By Yoshihiro Fujimaki 1. What is “autonomous driving in restricted areas”? Development of the autonomous driving car is progressing not only for public roads but also for airport environments. It looks easier to ensure traffic safety in restricted areas of airports, so-called “Airside,” than on public roads because neither the general public nor cars driven by them are present. In addition, while the Japanese government has set an aspirational target of 60 million inbound tourists in 2030, the capacity of airports may be constrained by a shortage of labor working at airports, especially those working for ground handling services. Therefore, autonomous driving cars at airports are expected to be a quite useful tool for labor-saving. Based on the above circumstances, in 2018, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) established a committee to study demonstration experiments of autonomous driving in airport restricted areas. This committee aims to realize autonomous driving in restricted areas by conducting several demonstration experiments. Since its establishment, the committee has been considering the guidelines, selecting participants, and reviewing the results of such demonstration experiments. The committee focuses on towing tractors and ramp buses, some of which are currently at “Level 3” autonomy and will be at “Level 4” autonomy in the future. The differences between “Level 3” and “Level 4” in autonomy are shown in the table below. Table 1: Differences between “Level 3” and “Level 4” in autonomous driving (Prepared based on “Public-private ITS Initiative/Roadmaps 2020” (in Japanese, definitions of these Levels are equivalent to SAE International J3016 (2016)): https://cio.go.jp/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/its_roadmap_2020.pdf ) 2. Autonomous driving towing tractor Towing tractors are used for transporting passenger checked baggage and other cargo within the airport. Serving as the demonstration experiments which I mentioned earlier, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have been conducting several trials of autonomous driving towing tractors. ANA has been holding tests at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). Their autonomous driving towing tractor is manufactured by Toyota Industries Corporation, and it runs along the pre-defined route based on information gathered from camera, GPS and Laser imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) integrated sensors. In FY2021, they performed over 200 transportations of passenger checked baggage and other cargo, over 1,100 km in total, without any delay. JAL has been conducting tests at Narita International Airport. Their autonomous driving towing tractor is manufactured by TLD Group, and it also runs along pre-defined route based on information from odometer, inertial measuring unit (IMU), GPS and LiDAR sensors. In FY2020, they performed over 300 transportations of passenger checked baggage, over 300 km in total, and have officially introduced the autonomous driving towing tractor since March 2021. (The above figure is reprinted from the JAL’s website: https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202103/005973.html ) 3. Autonomous driving ramp bus Ramp buses are used for transporting passengers between airport terminal buildings or between airport terminal buildings and aircraft. An autonomous driving ramp bus is now undergoing demonstration experiments at Narita International Airport. That autonomous driving ramp bus is for 10 passengers, and is manufactured by Tajima Motor Cooperation with autonomous driving system developed by TIER IV, which is a software development company in Japan. It runs along the pre-defined route based on information from camera, IMU, GPS and LiDAR sensors, and ran in total for about 80 km in 4 days for a demonstration in FY2021. Currently, the consortium including Narita International Airport Corporation and TIER IV is conducting trials where a single remote supervisor monitors up to three vehicles at the same time. (The above figure is reprinted from the Narita International Airport Corporation’s website (in Japanese: https://www.naa.jp/jp/docs/20220210-5g_HP.pdf ) 4. Towards “Level 4” autonomy Besides vehicle development, several challenges regarding infrastructure and traffic rules still remain in order to realize “Level 4” autonomous driving in airport restricted areas. Particularly in restricted areas, generally there are no traffic lights at intersections and tall traffic lights may become a hazardous obstacle to aircraft in those locations . Regarding this point, it is still under consideration for how to ensure traffic safety using infrastructure and/or traffic rules. JCAB has set the target to realize “Level 4” autonomous driving both for towing tractors and for ramp buses by 2025, and continues working with the participants of demonstration experiments.