NEWS April 16th, 2025 In Memoriam of Ambassador Richard L. Armitage, Former Deputy Secretary of State Ambassador Richard L. Armitage, former deputy secretary of state, passed away on April 13th, 2025. Ambassador Armitage supported and greatly contributed to our activities in the United States. With great sadness, JITTI USA and JTTRI sent the following letter to Armitage International expressing our deepest condolences. Grow Your Vision Read More Latest News September 6, 2023 Press Release: Top Aviation Leaders to Join JITTI USA Civil Aviation Symposium JITTI USA to host Civil Aviation Symposium, "Achieving Aviation Sustainability: Challenges and Necessary Cooperation." Top officials and experts from the federal government, aviation industry, and manufacturing have confirmed their participation. Event Date: Thursday, October 5th, 3:00-6:15 PM Location: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center & Held Virtually Read More September 6, 2023 JITTI USA Senior Representative, Kazuya Fukuhara, Interviewed by Sakura Radio Sakura Radio, a Japanese internet radio station, interviewed Senior Representative Fukuhara on his role at JITTI USA and how life has been here in the States. The interview was conducted in Japanese, and will air at www.SakuraRadio.com on 9/11 at 8:15 am EST. Listen to the Interview June 28, 2022 JITTI USA Senior Representative, Tetsuhiro Nakagawa, Interviewed by Sakura Radio Sakura Radio, a Japanese internet radio station, interviewed Senior Representative Nakagawa on his role at JITTI USA and how life has been here in the States. The interview was conducted in Japanese, and will air at www.SakuraRadio.com on 7/25 at 8:15 am EST. Listen to the Interview April 9th, 2020 In Memoriam of US-Japan Council President Irene Hirano Inouye The U.S.-Japan Council President, Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, passed away on April 7th, 2020. President Hirano Inouye continually supported and greatly contributed to our activities in the United States. With great sadness, JITTI USA and JTTRI sent the following letter to the U.S.-Japan Council expressing our deepest condolences. Read More March 24th, 2020 POSTPONED: 2020 International Rail Safety Symposium The 2020 International Rail Safety Symposium, subtitled "Promoting Safe Transportation: A Focus on Enhanced Rail Safety," has been postponed until further notice. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, and thank you for your understanding. We will inform you when this event has been rescheduled. Read More

In a visit to California in 2023, JITTI staff members exchanged views with the California Department of Transportation, railroad operators, experts on U.S.-Japan relations, and Japanese companies. They also conducted a survey on the state of transportation and tourism, including test driving an autonomous taxi and visiting the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. This report provides an overview of the latest trends in transportation and tourism in the state, which they obtained on the ground. < Back Civil Aviation July 2024 Trends in California's Transportation and Tourism Sectors By Tetsuhiro Nakagawa & Shinichiro Tsuri In a visit to California in 2023, JITTI staff members exchanged views with the California Department of Transportation, railroad operators, experts on U.S.-Japan relations, and Japanese companies. They also conducted a survey on the state of transportation and tourism, including test driving an autonomous taxi and visiting the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. This report provides an overview of the latest trends in transportation and tourism in the state, which they obtained on the ground. Download the Report

JITI 2017 Aviation Workshop Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation January 27, 2017 The Hay Adams 800 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. In December of 2015, the Paris Agreement, a new framework to address the issue of climate change was adopted, and expected to further the efforts of States addressing the climate change issue. Measures to address greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted from the international aviation sector have been discussed separately in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), due to their peculiarity in being emitted across borders and on the high seas. This past October, after many years of discussion, the ICAO assembly decided to introduce the Global Market-Based Measure (GMBM) to address international aviation emissions, with voluntary pilot and first phases starting from 2021, followed by the second phase from 2027 through 2035, as one strategy to reduce global GHGs. Both Japan and the U.S. announced that they will be participating in the GMBM from the pilot phase, which is for States that are participating voluntarily. Japan and the U.S. are both interested in how airlines will respond to the GMBM, as well as what influence the strategy will have on aviation users. For this reason, prior to the introduction of the GMBM, JITI invited an ICAO professional, who has been involved in the design of the GMBM, as well as Japanese and U.S. airline representatives, to discuss the content, as well as the discussion leading up to it, the direction of the design for the detailed system in the future, the airline response, the impact on users, and how to obtain the participation of many States during the voluntary phase. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President , JITI, USA Bio Keynote Speeches Tetsuya Tanaka Chief, Climate Change Section, Environment, Air Transport Bureau, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Bio Presentation Nancy N. Young Vice President, Environmental Affairs, Airlines for America Bio Presentation Masao Hisano Senior Manager, Corporate Planning, All Nippon Airways (ANA) Bio Presentation

JITTI Journal Cultural Article January 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2025 Cultural Article My Favorite Old Town, Kawagoe By Tomomi Dodd This time I would like to introduce Kawagoe in Saitama, my favorite old town near my hometown. Kawagoe is located less than 60 minutes from central Tokyo. It used to be the closest city for me as I grew up nearby and I have good memories there. It was never as popular as it is now and it used to be like a hidden gem for locals. Now Kawagoe is booming and there are new shops, cafes, and restaurants. They now have a lot more domestic and international tourists. As the whole area is walkable in a few hours, Kawagoe is recommended as a great day trip destination from Tokyo. Main street of Kawagoe old town: Kurazukuri zone Image Source: Tomomi Dodd Let’s talk about the history of Kawagoe. Kawagoe is known as “Ko-edo” (little Edo), as the main street preserves old warehouse styled buildings (Kurazukuri) from the Edo period (1603-1867). During the Edo period, Kawagoe developed as a supplier of commodities to Tokyo (then named Edo). As Kawagoe became an important city to the capital for trade and strategic purposes, Kawagoe Castle was also built. Jinrikisha Image Source: Tomomi Dodd If you catch a Jinrikisha, you can enjoy sightseeing without walking. Tours in English are also available. VASARA Kimoto Rental: 18-3 Renjakucho, Kawagoe city, Saitama Image Source: Tomomi Dodd At VASARA, they can put Kimono on you and you can rent it for the day. It is such a special experience to walk around Kawagoe in kimono. Toki no Kane Day Time Version & Toki no Kane NightTime Version Image Source: Tomomi Dodd Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) is another iconic symbol of Kawagoe. It was built around 1630 by the feudal lord of Kawagoe castle, Sakai Tadakatsu. It got burned down numerous times and the current one was rebuilt after the Great Kawagoe Fire in 1893. The bell is rung four times a day by an automatic machine. Kashiya-Yokocho Image Source: Tomomi Dodd Let me introduce some of my favorite spots in Kawagoe. The first spot is of course the street called Kashiya-Yokocho, meaning "candy lane". It ’s a short street with many snack and candy shops. It used to feel like such a big street when I was a child. I remember the artists making beautiful candies with very detailed designs of goldfish, dragons, birds, etc. As a child, it was always too expensive for me. I was glad to find a shop who still sells candy sculptures. I wish this beautiful culture will continue to be preserved. Candy Sculptures Image Source: Tomomi Dodd Hikawa Shrine Image Source: Tomomi Dodd My next favorite place is Hikawa Shrine. Every summer the shrine decorates itself with a bunch of beautiful and colorful wind chimes. It is also a special place for me as my close friend had a beautiful wedding there. When I visited this time, it was still packed with people for hatsu-moude (New Year shrine visiting). Another favorite place is Ichinoya. This restaurant is very popular for their unagi (eel). It is hard to get reservations with them. There are many restaurants for eel in Kawagoe as it is surrounded by rivers. Ichinoya’s sauce for eel is very mild and you can enjoy the original flavor of eel. I also would like you to try their egg omelet with eel, called umaki. Ichinoya's Eel & Umaki Image Source: Tomomi Dodd I hope I was able to show a little bit of Kawagoe with this short article. Old towns like Kawagoe are very valuable for Japan as they still preserve a lot of historic charm. Every time I visit, I always discover new things, such as a new shop on a side street. I am looking forward to continue seeing development in Kawagoe with a mixture of old and new. Starbucks in Kawagoe Image Source: Tomomi Dodd Bonus photo: Starbucks in Kawagoe is in one of the Kurazukuri houses. It looks very classic and cool! It is located near Toki no Kane. References Kawagoe Travel Guide - What to do in Kawagoe City https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6500.html Kawagoe-Guide-Map https://koedo.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/KAWAGOE-GUIDE-MAP-EngTaiwanKorea.pdf Bell of Time (Bell Tower) https://koedo.or.jp/en/spot_001/ Ichinoya: 1-18-10, Matsue-cho, Kawagoe-city, Saitama-ken https://kawagoeichinoya.owst.jp/en/

Japan's New Budget Proposal for FY 2021 Japan’s New Budget Proposal for FY 2021  by Tetsuhiro Nakagawa 1. Overview of the 2021 Budget Proposal Japan’s new budget proposal for FY2021 was decided by the cabinet in December of last year. In Japan, at the end of each year, the government decides its budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which starts from April. Budget proposals decided by the government are deliberated in regular Diet sessions convened in January of the new year, and are approved in due course by April if the process proceeds as normal. The total amount for the general account in the 2021 budget proposal is about $1 trillion[1] (106.61 trillion YEN), hitting a record high for the ninth consecutive year. It also exceeds over 100 trillion YEN for the 3rd year in a row. A demand for policy has been increasing in Japan, especially in the field of social security, such as public healthcare and pension systems, in light of the rapidly aging population. Social Security expenses account for about 54% of spending outside of debt payments and money transfers to local governments. Compared to the U.S., whose federal budget of FY2020 was $4.8 trillion, Japan’s budget is about one fifth that size, while Japan’s GDP ($5 trillion) is about one fourth of the U.S. GDP ($21.37 trillion. Nominal in 2019, World Bank data). [1] For the convenience of the reader, in this article, the dollar amount that has been converted from the original YEN amount, and is rounded based on the number of Japanese yen. Please note that it is not an exact number. Graphs by Tetsuhiro Nakagawa (JITTI USA) were made using data from Japan's Ministry of Finance The main features of this year’s budget proposal are as follows: The largest ever total number The largest amount ever of Social Security spending Stated above, the rapidly growing number of elderly populations has led the expansion of Social Security costs. The largest amount ever of National Defense spending It is up 0.5% from FY 2020 and has hit a record high for the seventh consecutive year as tensions within the region rise due to China’s growing maritime assertiveness and North Korea’s missile threat. The budget also includes the cost of strengthening capabilities in new domains, including cyberspace, outer space, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Addition of $50 billion to the reserve fund The government has reserved $50 billion for future responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The money, which can be spent without parliamentary approval, will allow the government to act swiftly when needed to contain the virus. Establishment of a “Digital Agency” The government will set up a new “Digital Agency” in September to expedite the digital transformation of government work and services. The Digital Agency will be established as a headquarters to strongly promote administrative digitalization in order to realize more efficient administrative management in the post-corona era. In addition to digitizing various administrative services, the agency will also advance online medical care and digital education. Furthermore, the mission of the agency includes popularizing the "My Number Card" to dramatically improve the efficiency of administrative services. The “My Number Card” can be used as an official identification card for verifying identity, and can make various administrative procedures more convenient, such as by allowing resident cards to be issued at convenience stores. It was introduced in 2015, but as many people have not felt the benefits, it has not yet become very popular. This image illustrating the "My Number Card" is from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication . Revenue In light of the deterioration in corporate performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue for the 2021 fiscal year lowered approximately 5% ($60 billion) compared to the previous fiscal year's initial budget. In order to respond to the dual shock from both lower tax revenue and higher spending, the amount of new government bonds issued, which is to say the national debt, increased by about 34% ($110 billion) from the previous fiscal year to $436 billion. For Japan, which has been working to rebuild its finances, the increase in national debt is a first in 11 years based on initial budget figures. Graph by Tetsuhiro Nakagawa (JITTI USA) via data from Japan's Ministry of Finance 2. Budget Items related to Transportation and Tourism In the 2021 government budget proposal, the transportation and tourism sectors are summarized as related to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The MLIT's budget for the 2021 fiscal year consists of the following three pillars. There have been no major changes in the theme in recent years. 1. Ensuring the safety and security of the public 2. Achieving sustainable economic growth 3. Forming rich and vibrant regions and creating a multi-regional country In addition to traditional policies of advancing transportation infrastructure to support Japan’s economic and social activities, several new measures have been developed in light of the effects of the recent pandemic. The followings are excerpts of the MLIT's budget statement. 2. Achieving sustainable economic growth (2) (a) Promote digital transformation, technology development, work-style reform, etc. in infrastructure and logistics fields ($84 million / 8.4 billion yen)  In order to respond to the novel coronavirus infection that has brought about an unprecedented crisis, various measures have been introduced to efficiently transform social capital and public services based on the needs of the people by utilizing data and digital technology in the infrastructure field. (Examples of measures) Improve productivity by promoting the digitization of passenger transportation business using ICT. Convert to a sustainable railway system through labor saving and efficiency improvement through the use of ICT. Construct non-contact and non-face-to-face logistical systems through labor saving and automation of logistic sites, etc. Improve productivity and strengthen international competitiveness of port logistics by digitizing port logistic information and linked data. Image Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Toursim of Japan (4)(a) Continue the “Go To Travel” campaign ($13 billion / 1,311 billion yen) Japan’s initiative to promote domestic travel, called the “Go To Travel” campaign, which was introduced in the supplementary budget for FY2020, will be extended through the FY2021 on the premise that both business operators and travelers should thoroughly implement measures to prevent the spread of infection. By responding flexibly depending on the state of the infection, a full-fledged recovery of domestic travel demand is attainable. Please also refer to our feature article, “ An Introduction of Japanese Tourism Initiatives During the Pandemic,” in the JITTI Journal’s November 2020 edition . 3. Forming rich and vibrant regions and creating a multi-regional country (2) (d) Promote the spread of next-generation mobility ($7 million / 700 million yen) In order to respond to structural changes in the movement of people and goods brought about by post-COVID lifestyles, Japan will promote the spread of next-generation mobility using new technologies, such as AI and IoT. (Examples of measures) Promote MaaS that responds to new needs, such as congestion avoidance, based on the spread of infectious diseases. Support efforts to establish technical requirements for the practical application of autonomous driving, develop standards for road spaces, and implementation. Promote measures to support the introduction of next-generation vehicles that contribute to the greening of regional transportation. Promote the development of an environment for the realization of visual flight of unmanned aerial vehicles. Promote the development of an environment for the social implementation of "flying cars" as a new business. Measures aim for a more green transportation network. Measures also aim for transportation modes to travel seamlessly in the future, as mobility options for goods and people advance 3. Supplementary Budget 2020 The expenses required for measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the most important issue for countries around the world, are mainly recorded in the supplementary budget for the 2020 fiscal year. The supplementary budget is constructed annually and, like the regular budget, is deliberated and approved by the Diet. In the 2020 fiscal year, three supplementary budgets have already been set to address the pandemic. These measures, some of which are in common with those passed in the U.S., such as personal benefits, loans for large corporations, assistance for small businesses, and subsidies to maintain employment, are implemented under the supplementary budget, as in the U.S. For reference, the total size of Japan's supplementary budget implemented in the 2020 fiscal year was about $730 billion (73 trillion yen). It was equivalent to 71.6% of the annual budget of about $1 trillion (102 trillion yen) and about 14% of its GDP. The U.S. has a total of just over $3.8 trillion from the first to the fourth round of economic measures, which amounts to 79.2% of annual budget expenditures and 18% of its GDP. It can be assessed that the US has taken measure to provide relatively larger financial aid to address the pandemic so far. Graph by Tetsuhiro Nakagawa (JITTI USA) Looking at the contents of the supplementary budgets of both countries, most of the expenditure items related to transportation are either measures to maintain the workforce in the transportation sector or measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the sector. On the other hand, in Japan, the supplementary budget over the past three iterations have been characterized by not only the response to the current pandemic, but also measures for economic revitalization during a current or post-corona era, such as measures to make major changes by shifting into a digital society. It can be said that in this respect, these characteristics are a distinctive difference between the two nations. Society 5.0 is a national vision aimed at realizing a data-driven, human-centric society for future generations. It is a concept in which economic development, digitalization, and solutions for social issues are aligned. Image Source: The Government of Japan Back to All JITTI Journals January 2021 Feature Article

Management Strategies to Strengthen the "De-rail" Business The Latest Trends in Japan's Railroad Business: Management Strategies to Strengthen the "De-rail" Business By Akito Okabe Introduction Japan's railroad business is currently undergoing a major transition. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed down and railroad operators are making steady progress in recovering their business performance, the trend of teleworking remains unchanged and ridership has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The rail ridership in Japan is generally at 70-80% of its pre-pandemic level, with a particularly sharp decline in commuter pass users. In addition, the future outlook is that ridership is not expected to return to its pre-pandemic level, and an aging and declining population is also expected. Under these circumstances, many railroad companies are struggling to establish a new revenue base by strengthening their non-railway businesses, and this article will introduce some initiatives thatJapanese railroad companies are currently doing. Real Estate Business Japanese railroad companies and the real estate business have had a close relationship since before the pandemic. Many railroad companies have built hotels, apartments, office buildings, and shopping centers near their lines to generate revenue. By increasing the attractiveness of towns through development along their lines, they also aim to increase the population along their lines and increase their rail ridership in the future. Tokyu, a leading company in the real estate business, is further accelerating its efforts after the pandemic. It has identified "Shibuya," its development hub, as its biggest growth strategy, and plans to invest a cumulative 450 billion yen (about $3.2 billion USD) in real estate-related activities by 2030. (This amount is approximately three times this year's EBITDA.) JR East, Japan's largest railroad company, also plans to focus on redeveloping the area around Takanawa Gateway Station, which opened in 2020. It plans to build a luxury hotel, offices, and one of the largest halls in Tokyo on the former railcar depot site, and expects the total project cost to be approximately 58 billion yen (about $4.2 billion USD). Image of the station area after redevelopment (Image Source: https://tokyoyard.com/ ) New Business In addition to the real estate business, a number of unique new businesses are being considered, which we would like to introduce below. Tokyo Metro Tokyo Metro, which operates subways in the Tokyo area, has opened a training gym for "e-sports" video game competitions in 2021, utilizing vacant buildings near its lines. (Co-operated with startup Gecipe ※1 ). In addition to monthly memberships to use the gym store, the company offers an optional service that allows users to take lessons from professional e-sports players in the store or online. The concept of the gym is "a bright and healthy e-sports facility that is easy for anyone to enter," and the company aims to "create a world where anyone can seriously enjoy e-sports at any time.” Image of Interior view of training gym (Image Source: https://esportsgym.tokyo/register-lp ) Tokyo Metro is also developing other new businesses, such as yoga classes with bouldering and robot programming classes. Osaka Metro Osaka Metro, which operates subways mainly in Osaka Prefecture, plans to launch a matching service in the spring of 2023 to connect land owners with businesses that wish to open food trucks (mobile vending vehicles for food and beverages). Under this service, Osaka Metro will act as an intermediary, receiving a fee from food and beverage operators for opening stalls and paying rent to landowners. In addition to the brokerage service, Osaka Metro plans to open food trucks under its direct management. Food trucks (Image Source: https://subway.osakametro.co.jp/news/news_release/20210930_foodtruck_kakudai.php ) 　By the end of FY2023, the company aims to enter the healthcare service business, which supports the health improvement of railroad users through a proprietary app. Conclusion As JR East President Fukasawa stated, "We need to stand on the premise that the number of rail ridership will not return to pre-pandemic levels.", and the business environment is expected to remain severe for railway companies. Given this situation, Japanese railroad operators are aiming to diversify their revenue sources through real estate and unique new businesses, and this trend is expected to continue. We will monitor this trend closely, as the initiatives of railroad companies focusing on businesses other than the railroad itself are unique to Japan and could serve as a useful reference for other countries. References ※1 https://gecipe.co.jp/ Back to All JITTI Journals March 2023 Feature Article

JITI 2016 Railway Workshop Initiatives Targeting On-Time Departures for Metro Areas January 29th, 2016 Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. One of the more important aspects in creating a trusted and useful public rail transportation system is the punctuality and reliability of the system. On-schedule departures and arrivals are a universal theme from an operations control perspective, and both the U.S. and Japan deal with this aspect of their rail systems on a daily basis. Japan’s population is highly concentrated in its city centers and, despite the massive influx of people during rush hours, still manages to run trains on a highly compact schedule due to their operations systems. Many lines are even able to operate at a speed of one train per minute during the heaviest parts of the commuter rush. In the U.S., automobiles are still the dominant mode of transportation. However, the demand for a reliable and safe public transportation system is increasing, especially as the city centers expand and the need for the metro grows. Many entrepreneurs have been creating different technology to accommodate the railway service conditions, including trying to keep passengers updated on delays or problems as they occur by using smartphone apps or station displays. For this workshop, JITI invited representatives from Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd to discuss the various initiatives and methods they use to create an on-time and reliable metro service, as well as representatives from the MTA New York City Transit to hear about new initiatives to create a more punctual schedule for their train systems. In the workshop, they will discuss how to make safer, on time, and more trusted operations of rails a reality, aided by the use of real examples such as methods and procedures for restoring rail service after unforeseen events or delay Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Keynote Speeches Wynton Habersham Acting Senior Vice President, Department of Subways, MTA New York City Transit Bio Presentation Yoshinobu Takatori Managing Director, Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Bio Presentation

JTTRI EVENTS More JTTRI Events JTTRI International Seminar with Thailand's Former Transport Minister Arkhom Current and Future Japan-Thailand Relations in the Transportation Field

JITTI Journal January 2018 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2018 Feature Article Capacity Building Support by the Japan Coast Guard to Developing Countries Mobile Cooperation Team by Ryoki Toku Prologue Sea routes in the Southeast Asian area can be said to be the life lines of Japan. The security and safety of the area is extremely important for Japanese ships as they pass through. Each coastal country's maritime law enforcements are required to have the appropriate capabilities to be able to secure the area. It is also important there are the good relationships and cooperation between the maritime law enforcements of these coastal countries and Japan. Inauguration of JCG Mobile Cooperation Team In October of 2017, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) established a brand-new unit in the JCG Headquarters called the "Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT)", which focuses on capacity building support for developing country's maritime law enforcements. The MCT consists of 7 people. There are 6 members, under the direction of the seventh member who is the Director for Coast Guard International Cooperation. They engage in training for foreign maritime law enforcement and their goal is to create effective, consistent, and sustainable capacity building support, as well as build trusting relationships with other countries through consultations about country needs in advance, and provision of detailed curriculums following the outcomes of these discussions. （ The Japan Coast Guard HP, Public release, http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/topics/171002_mct_start.pdf , (Access: 11th Dec,2017) ） The first mission of MCT One month from the inauguration of the MCT, they were dispatched to the Philippines for their first mission: to train the Philippine Coast Guard. The MCT engaged in exercises regarding the maneuvering of high speed small boats. Thee high speed small boats that were used in the exercises were transferred from the Japan government to the Philippine government. The MCT members instructed in several maneuvering skills that related to maritime law enforcement, such as guarding measures, like pinch maneuvering, as well as basic techniques like turning, chasing, or approaching the port. This exercise became an opportunity to teach JCG's maneuvering techniques to other nation's maritime law enforcements as well, given that coast guards from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia also participated in the exercises. （ The Japan Coast Guard HP, Public release, http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/kouhou/h29/k20171122/k171122-1.pdf(Access: 11th Dec,2017) ） The opportunity for cooperation between the USCG and the JCG in the field of capacity building support The MCT's first mission was also an opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the JCG. During the same period, the USCG was also in the Philippines to train the coast guard. The USCG and the JCG coordinated on site, and the USCG then gave a lecture about the maintenance of small boat engines. As a result, in this case, we can say that the USCG and the JCG provided joint training for high speed small boats through their cooperation. （ The Japan Coast Guard HP, Public release, http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/kouhou/h29/k20171122/k171122-1.pdf(Access: 11th Dec,2017) ） Conclusion The JCG says that through these activities it would like to deepen its trust relationships with other national maritime law enforcements, and contribute to maintaining and developing open and stable oceans under the rules of law. （ The Japan Coast Guard HP, Public release, http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/kouhou/h29/k20171122/k171122-1.pdf(Access: 11th Dec,2017) ） The JCG has engaged in several capacity building efforts regarding maritime law enforcement, especially in Southeast Asian countries, not only recently through the activities of the MCT. It is hoped that these engagements help in establishing an international network in the field of maritime law enforcement amongst those who share the same values. In addition, these engagements promote regional cooperation that should help lead to an avoidance of risks in any unpreventable accidents in the future.

JITTI Journal May 2022 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2022 Feature Article Mandatory Registration of Unmanned Aircraft in Japan by Yoshihiro Fujimaki 1. Background and Overview One of the major problems currently occurring with inappropriate flights by Unmanned Aircraft (UA) is that the aircraft cannot be identified and so appropriate and necessary safety measures cannot be taken against the owner of the UA when needed. In addition, because the use of UAs has been on the rise due to such factors as the growing shortage of personnel in the logistics and security industries, the increasing demand for survey and investigation flights over wide areas, and the creation of business models that utilize UAs in remote island and depopulated mountainous regions, it is becoming extremely important to know who is the owner of each UA. Based on the above circumstances, like other countries, registration of UAs will be mandatory in Japan from June 20, 2022. This is based on an amendment of the Civil Aviation Act, and the bill was approved by the National Diet of Japan in June 2020.  From June 20, 2022, most UAs will have to be marked with a registration ID to identify them, and also be fitted with a remote ID function. UAs which will be excluded from these requirements are limited to those weighing less than 100 grams. Meanwhile, UAs which weigh equal to or less than 0.55 pound (about 250 grams) are excluded from similar requirements in the United States. This point is one major item that is different between the US and Japan and is not to be overlooked. Image Source: Handbook for Unmanned Aircraft Registration published by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau 2. How to Register The application for registration can be done online or by submitting necessary physical documents. It is required to enter/complete the information such as the name and address of the owner and the user of the UA, as well as the manufacturer and model of the UA in the application. Even if a UA has been registered in a foreign country, that UA has to be registered based on the Civil Aviation Act for it to be flown in Japan. The registration of the UA is subject to strict identification of the owner. This process can be done online or by postal mail. In the case that the owner is an individual resident of Japan, an individual number card, Japanese driver’s license or Japanese passport is required for online identity verification. In the case that the owner is a foreign individual who does not have a residence in Japan, a copy of the passport of the owner plus a copy of a document issued by a public institution that verifies the name, address, and date of birth of the owner are required to be sent by postal mail. The identity verification process may take 1-5 days after the documents arrive. Once the identity verification has been completed, information for fee payment is notified by email. The registration fee varies by application method, and is between 900 Japanese Yen (about 8 US dollars) and 2,400 Japanese Yen (about 20 US dollars). In 1-5 days after the fee payment, the registration ID will be issued to the UA. This registration ID must be clearly visible on the UA with marker and stickers, with the marking font being at least 3mm in the case of aircraft weighing less than 25 kg. The registration ID also has to be registered to remote ID equipment using a dedicated smartphone application. Please refer to the next section about the remote ID.Registration of the UA is valid for 3 years, therefore re-registration is required every 3 years. Image Source: the website of Drone/UAS Information Platform System (DIPS) 3. Remote ID Remote ID (RID) is a function that transmits identification information remotely via radio waves. A UA must be equipped with this RID function to fly, except for special cases such as flying over specific areas which are notified in advance to the government and with necessary safety measures taken. In Japan, similarly to the US, RID equipment is classified into a built-in type or an external (attached) type. But, while there are some differences of information between the built-in type (Standard RID) and external type (RID Broadcast Module) in the US, information from both types of RID equipment is the same in Japan. That information includes the registration ID and serial number of the UA, and dynamic information such as location, speed, altitude and time more than once per second, but does not include information about the owner or user. Information from RID equipment can be received by anyone using an appropriate smartphone or receiver. Law enforcement officers can trace the information of the owner and the user of the UA based on received information of its registration ID. 4. Special Reminder to Tourists Who Plan to Fly UAs in Japan As described in section 2, even if a UA has been registered in a foreign country, that UA has to be registered based on the Civil Aviation Act for it to be flown in Japan. The registration process may take more than 1 week, therefore that period should be taken into account. Also, using radio equipment which does not have the Japanese Technical Conformity Mark may be regarded as illegal to use in Japan, even if that equipment is based on a foreign standard. In addition, there are several flight rules to be followed. Please refer the JCAB website for details. Japanese Technical Conformity Mark for radio equipment JCAB website Image Resources: Handbook for Unmanned Aircraft Registration published by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Drone/UAS Information Platform System (DIPS) JCAB website

Welcome to our website! Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA (JITTI USA), is an independent research institute which studies various kinds of US-Japan and... Research Reports Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act Videos on Demand VIEW ALL VIDEOS Events U.S.–Japan International Exchange Symposium 2025: Building a Trusted and Collaborative Partnership through Multi-layered Engagement Thursday, November 20th | Hybrid Event: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and Held Virtually in English and Japanese Since the pandemic, Japan and the United States have resumed and strengthened people-to-people exchanges through initiatives such as recent summit meetings and the “U.S.-Japan Tourism Year.” Global events, including the recently held Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, are further boosting these ties. In addition, multi-layered personnel exchange and dispatch programs across the public and private sectors also contribute to mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing nationalism, multi-layered exchanges are vital for fostering trust and a collaborative U.S.–Japan partnership that supports global stability. This symposium will bring together government officials and experts from both nations to discuss ways to deepen people-to-people exchanges and advance international exchange. VIEW ALL EVENTS Research Reports Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act Author: Kazuya Fukuhara & Hiroyuki Yamagami | Maritime Transportation U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 5 ~ Development of the Roadmap for AAM TC, Issuance of the AC on Powered-Lift TC, and Final Rule of MOSAIC ~ Author: Shinichiro Tsuri | Civil Aviation U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background Author: Yosuke Yamashita | Maritime Transportation VIEW ALL REPORTS JITTI JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 13 Issue 1 | Feature: Yosuke Yamashita | Cultural Article: Suzannah Nevas In this journal's Featured Article, discover how Japan, along with it's strategic alliance with the U.S., is reshaping global shipbuilding and what it means for the future. Furthermore, find how Sapporo, Japan finds delight in the winter season in their annual Yuki Matsuri (snow festival). November 2025 Volume 12 Issue 6 | Feature: Yuta Arai | Cultural Article: Tomomi Dodd Read our Feature introducing a world-leading Coast Guard graduate course and have an intimate look at a Shinto-style wedding in our Cultural Article. September 2025 Volume 12 Issue 5 | Feature: Yukiko Nakamura | Cultural Article: Yuta Arai Our Feature Article overviews how regional initiatives around Japanese airports are working to revitalize the surrounding area. Meanwhile, our Cultural Article introduces speed-dials in Japan. VIEW ALL OTHER PUBLICATIONS

The Japan Coast Guard’s New Challenge for Global Cooperation Among Coast Guard Agencies/ Functions The Japan Coast Guard’s New Challenge for Global Cooperation Among Coast Guard Agencies/ Functions by Yasuhiro Okamoto The Japan Coast Guard (herein after called “JCG”) has supported various countries’ coast guard organizations with their capacity enhancement since 1969, aiding over 81 countries and 3 regions. In addition, JCG has also played an important role in the establishment of the international cooperation framework in the region to facilitate further cooperation among coast guard agencies in Asia and the North Pacific. In this article, I would like to introduce JCG’s new challenge in creating an international framework for the Coast Guard Global Summit. The 1st Coast Guard Global Summit (hereinafter called as “CGGS”) was held in September 2017 and was co-hosted by the Nippon Foundation. The aim of this meeting was to enhance dialogue and cooperation beyond the existing regional framework, and to focus the experience and knowledge of the participants to resolve common issues that every country had faced. Although it was the inaugural meeting, representatives from 34 countries, 1 regional, and 3 international organizations visited Japan to attend. In this meeting there was recognition of the rarity for coast guard’s to gather and discuss the creation of global frameworks, the importance of doing so, and of the necessity to consider human resource development systems and the best forms of inter-regional and international cooperation. With continued interest by participants to further facilitate global cooperation among coast guard agencies, the 1st working level meeting of CGGS took place in November 2018 with the participation of 66 countries and international/ regional organizations. In this working level meeting, the following three agenda points were mainly discussed: Meeting guidelines for smooth future meetings Global human resource development Information sharing According to the meeting summary of the CGGS working level meeting, during the discussion on global human resource development, various advanced and unique programs were shared. Furthermore, there was broad support when JCG proposed to form the voluntary core member group for intensive study and discussion of this matter. It has already been decided that the 2nd CGGS will be held in Tokyo in November 2019. JCG’s new challenge has just started, and it’s not difficult to imagine that they will have additional obstacles that will need to be solved. For example, in comparison with their past cooperative activities, the JCG is unexperienced with organizing an international meeting of this size, with an increase in the number of participation confirmed as compared to the last two meetings. To plan and execute such an enormous event on a regular basis also must create budgetary and operational issues. Furthermore, there is the obvious struggle for JCG to convince participating agencies of the necessity of a global framework. As for the meeting agenda, it seems that human resource development will be a key topic. Unlike other regional cooperation frameworks, a global framework would require consideration of each regions unique issues and/or features. The first challenge for agencies from different regions is to try and cooperate for a unified goal, and to clarify ways to develop human resources in each region. I would like to closely observe the activities, discussion, and results of the 2nd CGGS to know the answer to this question, and I really hope this framework will bring great benefits to coast guard activities across the entire world. Image courtesy of the Japan Coast Guard Back to All JITTI Journals May 2019 Feature Article