Strengthening Aviation Safety through SSP Strengthening Aviation Safety through SSP by Hiroki Sakamoto Ensuring safety is a central and fundamental issue in the civil aviation sector. While passenger deaths aboard specific Japanese air carriers have not occurred since 1986, efforts are being made to reinforce the safety management system adopted by airline companies and preventive safety measures are being promoted to appropriately deal with safety-related issues. For example, preliminary reviews are done upon the launch or expansion of domestic airline companies and strict (including unannounced) and systematic on-site safety inspections are properly conducted. Also, due to the increase of foreign airlines following the promotion of the open sky policy, monitoring of foreign airlines entering Japan has been strengthened with on-site safety inspections and other measures. Since April 2014, the Civil Aviation Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (or JCAB) has been implementing the "State Safety Program (SSP)", as the basic principle of aviation safety policy. It sets forth targets for civil aviation safety and measures to be taken for their attainment, in accordance with the Annex 19 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The fundamental structure of SSP is a clear division between Regulator (R) and Provider (P: such as airline companies, airport operators and air traffic control), with the Regulator (R) providing and enforcing safety oversight of the Provider (P). (Figure) Structure of the State Safety Program (SSP) In FY2015, JCAB formulated "Medium-term policies for the administration of aviation safety," which outlines the policies and measures for the next five years. In FY2016, direction for further safety measures related to small aircraft was added in light of the frequent occurrence of accidents involving private, small aircraft in recent years. SSP features three new measures: Safety Target, Voluntary Reporting System, and Analysis of Safety Information. 1) Safety Target In order to secure SSP as an effective tool to strengthen aviation safety, JCAB creates a "SSP implementation plan" every year. Regarding this plan, JCAB ① sets the safety target of the Japanese Government (once a year), ② implements specific policies to achieve the safety target with coordination between airline companies, airport operators and air traffic control, and ③ measures and evaluates the level of achievement of the safety target. 2) Voluntary Reporting System "The Voluntary Information Contributory to Enhancement of the Safety (VOICES) program" has been operating since July 2014 in order to collect more detailed near-miss information relating to aviation safety that is not subject to the mandatory reporting system, and to harness such information for safety improvements. Recommendations such as improving airport operations have been obtained through this program. While dissemination activities have been yielding results and more reports were issued in FY2016 than in the preceding year, attempts will be made to further use the system through continued work to highlight the importance of safety information. Efforts will also be made to improve safety by making use of obtained recommendations. 3) Analysis of Safety Information JCAB created three committees (airline companies, airport operators and air traffic control) comprised of scholars and experts. They hold meetings regularly to evaluate and analyze safety information from not only mandatory but also voluntary reporting system, compile and summarize information and publicize this information to share it. They are utilized to create preventative measures for both the Regulator (R) and Provider (P) in civil aviation. Strengthening safety measures is the top priority in the civil aviation sector. Continuous and effective efforts of both the Regulator (R) and Provider (P) through SSP are key in order to establish safe and secure air transport systems. Back to All JITTI Journals September 2018 Feature Article

JITTI Journal Cultural Article September 2018 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2018 Cultural Article Takarazuka Revue : A Staple of Japanese Culture That is Known to Those in the Know by Shunataro Okimoto Do you know Kabuki? It is one of the most famous traditional performances in Japan. It began around 1500 AD. Accompanied by the sound of shamisen, fierce romances and fights between samurai are performed powerfully. Both male and female characters appear in the play, but all the parts are performed by male actors. Male actors who play women wear beautiful kimono, disguise themselves in makeup, and move and gesture in a feminine manner so that everyone can see them as women. There is a new theater, Kabuki-za, in Ginza, Tokyo that is dedicated to the art of Kabuki, so I recommend you go see a show there once if you have never visited. I would like to introduce Takarazuka Revue at this time, which shares similar aspects of Japanese culture with Kabuki. Takarazuka Revue began about 100 years ago in Takarazuka City, which is located north of Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture. Although it is a newer type of performance than Kabuki, it was founded before the Second World War. A typical performance is three hours long and split into two parts. The first part is a theatrical play. Original romantic love stories or musicals that are popular worldwide are performed. Many of these works come from the United States, "Gone with the Wind" and "West Sid Story" being popular examples. The second part is a show. There are Japanese-style performances such as Japanese dances with all the actors wearing kimono, but other art forms from foreign countries are also performed. The biggest feature of the Takarazuka Revue is that it is all performed by female actors, compared to Kabuki with its all-male cast. Women play the roles of male characters, but because they are portraying masculine movements such as in the ways men stand, walk, and sit, their movements are more masculine than real men. Fans of Takarazuka say that "they are cooler than real men." I think I might agree! Also, another draw for audience members are the vibrant costumes and the theater itself, which is very beautiful. Do you think Japanese people only like things that reflect a spirit of Zen or just prefer simplicity? Well, these Takarazuka performers are dancing energetically, wearing colorful feather costumes in the form of peacocks on a stage where the electric decorations shine. Unfortunately, I cannot post images to show this due to copyright, but please look at the following official English website. I'm sure you will be surprised at the world that exists there. Takarazuka Revue English Website Link I have been fascinated by Takarazuka Revue for a long time. After watching it on a television broadcast about twenty years ago, I became enthusiastic about it. I love the unique atmosphere created by about 70 actors on stage and 2,500 spectators. I lived next to the theater for two years in 2013 and 2014. It was a wonderful two years living alongside the world of Takarazuka Revue. If you want to experience this complex attraction, please go and witness a performance for yourself at least once. The Takarazuka Revue has performed around the world, for example in New York, Honolulu, and London, but recently many of the performances occur throughout Asia due to an increased number of Asian fans. Those in the United States may find it easiest to see a show in Japan. There are two theaters in Tokyo and Takarazuka, and you can buy tickets on the Revue's English website. The theater before a performance ( Takarazuka Grand Theater15s5s2880 by 663highland is licensed under CC BY 2.5 ) Takarazuka Revue's gorgeous stage ( Takarazuka Revue by calltheambulance is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 )

JITTI Journal May 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2023 Feature Article A Significant First Step in Collaboration for Both Academies (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) A Historic Moment: The Blossoming of Japan-US Coast Guard Academic Collaboration By Daisuke Komatsu On April 21st this year, under a crystal-clear sky in New London, Connecticut, a historic moment unfolded at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The Japan Coast Guard Academy and the US Coast Guard Academy, striving to further enhance their educational programs, signed a landmark agreement on academic cooperation - a first for both institutions with an overseas academy. The Japan-US Coast Guards have led coast guards worldwide and, based on the memoranda of cooperation signed in 2010 and the MOC’s ANNEX in 2022, have strengthened their trust by collaborating in various areas, including high-level meetings, joint exercises, and capacity building support for the Philippine Coast Guard. The signing of this document of cooperation between the two educational and training institutions, as part of the Japan-US joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" based on the 2022 ANNEX, reaffirms the significance of cadets’ cooperation including international student conferences and cadet exchanges through training vessel visits. It aims to further enhance academy education by focusing on academic exchange, joint research, and the establishment of mutual exchange programs. The Signing Took Place in a Solemn Atmosphere (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) The signing ceremony took place in a serene atmosphere at the Hamilton Hall of the US Coast Guard Academy, attended by Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, Superintendent of the US Coast Guard Academy, and Rear Admiral Upper half Mitsuru Eguchi, Superintendent of the Japan Coast Guard Academy. Rear Admiral Kelly emphasized the significance of the agreement, which further strengthens the historic relationship between the two academies, and expressed his commitment to developing the long-standing friendship with the Japan Coast Guard Academy and enhancing their educational training. Rear Admiral Upper half Eguchi touched on the history of exchanges between the two academies and expressed his conviction that academic exchanges will strengthen their relationship even further through student interactions. Additionally, he proposed that the Japan-US educational institutions should become two range lights, cooperating to advance maritime law enforcement education and training in the Indo- Pacific region. Group Photo of the Representatives from Both Academies (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) The Japan Coast Guard Academy was established over 70 years ago, and the US Coast Guard Academy nearly 150 years. This was the first time for each academy to sign an agreement on cooperation with an overseas academy. This historic document exchange highlights the need for collaboration between educational and training institutions, which are the foundation for human resource development, in addition to cooperation at Headquarter and operational levels amidst challenging maritime security environments. Furthermore, maritime security research spans a wide range of areas, including maritime security, international law, search and rescue techniques, and environmental conservation. The academic exchange between faculty members is expected to lead to more advanced research in coast guard operations, which is still in development. The signing of this cooperation document contributes to building a solid foundation for nurturing the next generation of leaders, as both countries' maritime security agencies work together to improve maritime security. Through the collaboration of both academies, research and education in the maritime security field will progress, and international cooperation between the two agencies will deepen, leading to enhanced maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The author hopes that the strengthened cooperation between Japan and the US maritime security agencies will pave the way to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. A Regimental Review by USCGA Cadets for the Superintendent of JCGA Was Also Held in Conjunction with the Signing Ceremony (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA)

MaaS in Urban Tokyo by Daisuke Miyamoto < Back

Railway in Japan During Rush Hour Railway in Japan During Rush Hour by Yoshitaka Araki ◆ On-time operation during rush hour In metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, the terrible congestion of trains and people during the commuting rush-hour seems to be recognized as a kind of common feature for Japan. I think there are rush-hours during common commuting times in every country. However, in Japan, especially in the metropolitan area which highly depend on the public transportation of railways and subways, there are some sections where the congestion rate exceeds 250%. This is such a high rate of congestion that passengers can't move at all. On-time operation is essential for safety and quality of service, and this especially applies during rush hour. Each railway company in Japan has ways of mitigating the troubles caused by rush-hour commuters, as well as improving on-time operation. In this article, I'll introduce some of these methods. ◆ Facilities Some features located around train facilities to aid on-time and safe train operations are listed below: *Wide train doors One of the reason for delays is the time it takes for passengers to get in and out of train cars. Some train cars have been adapted to have doors that are a shoulder-width wider than the standard, which makes it easier for passengers to get in and out of the trains more smoothly. *Platform screen doors and Automatic operation Platform screen doors doesn't have a direct relation to on-time operation, but it contributes to the reduction of risk of passengers falling onto the train tracks, which aids on-time trains and safety. Furthermore, most of the screen doors contain Train Automatic Stopping Control systems, so that trains stop with precision at the right position. This system contributes to on-time operation as it shortens the amount of time necessary for braking, etc. . *Train protection system - Speed control by ATC (Automatic Train Control) During rush hour, it is necessary to increase the number of trains so that many passengers can be transported. For smooth operation in such situations, train protection systems, such as signals etc., are essential. In Japan, most urban transit systems and the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) have ATC, or equivalent equipment, which enables high density transportation. A quick explanation of ATC in Japan follows: Most ATC has tracking circuits on the rails which recognize the spaces between trains and sets the speed limit. When trains exceed the speed limit, their speed is automatically reduced. This system also enables trains to stop with proper space between them and others. ATC is different from the recently popular type of systems such as PTC, CBTC, etc., systems which use wireless communication. Most ATC systems were introduced prior to the recently developed digital wireless communication technology, so wireless protection systems are not as popular in Japan. Of course, these newer types of systems have more advantages than the current ones, so some railway companies in Japan are considering introducing them. *Smooth ticket gate process In Japan, as in other countries, the purchase of fares using IC cards has been increasing in recent years. When passengers go through the ticket gate, they need to hold their IC card over the readers. If it takes a long time to read the card this can cause congestion in the station before even getting to the platform. The standard for IC cards for transportation in Japan requires that they can be read within 0.2 seconds. In this way, 60 passengers could go through the ticket gate per minute. ◆ Employees The companies' activities toward rush hour traffic consists not only of the facilities, but also service by the employees. *Controlling the distance between trains Especially during rush hour, the Railway Control Center adjust the positions of the trains so that their distances will be equal. The main adjustment, especially in cases where the gap between trains has become wider than originally intended, is delaying the departure of preceding-train to shorten the distance between it and the following train. If the timing of the trains is left widened, passengers at platform will be concentrated when boarding the following one, and that will cause further delays. In addition, the following-trains will have to stop before arriving at the platform to compensate for this delay and once the train stops, it takes time to restart, which can also cause more delays. An effective countermeasure to prevent these types of issues is for employees to adjust the distance between trains equally. *Part-time employees during rush hours on platforms Have you ever gotten your body or belongings stuck in the door when getting on the train, when in a hurry, or just because you got caught in the crowd? There are platform employees positioned during morning rush hour to help support passengers so that they can get in and out of the train cars smoothly. Of course, they are not only there for when the doors open or close, they also are there to answer passenger questions. ◆ Cooperation by Passengers In the above we discussed some of the ways that train companies are working to alleviate the problems associated with morning rush hour. Needless to say, it is also essential for smooth operations that train companies have the cooperation of riders. I would briefly like to discuss some of the requests made of rush hour commuters in metropolitan Tokyo. *Early Bird Morning rush hour occurs according to ordinary business hours, so passengers can avoid the terrible crowds by taking a train 1 or 2 hours earlier than the rush will be. To promote this, train companies promote deals for those who are willing to be "early birds". For example, passengers can get rewards if they go through ticket gates before certain times, and they can redeem these points for their daily travels or for shopping. *One-side Pedestrian Traffic on Concourses Have you ever bumped into to someone when walking on the concourse because you were both walking on the same side? Many stations in Japan indicate in which direction to walk, right side or left side, to help aid the smooth flow of passengers. *Manners It is essential for passengers to cooperate when they're on the platform, concourse, and trains. Since it's not rules but manners that are necessary, the train companies ask for everyone's cooperation, and have devised content, such as posters. Example related to rush hour are below: >>> Forming a line on the platform, Smooth boarding of trains While waiting the next train, passengers are encouraged to form a line on the platform. When getting in and out the train, have you ever had difficulty because of people standing near the door and not moving? In Japan, there are posters asking for cooperation in moving out of the way when the doors are opened. >>> Personal baggage in the trains Have you ever been hit by someone else's baggage when standing or sitting on the train? I think many people have had this experience, especially when it is baggage on someone's back, such as backpacks. Railway companies in Japan suggest that passengers carry their baggage on their front, even backpacks. Carrying bags on your back can cause a bother for others in crowded cars but changing the way you carry them can improve flow in train cars. >>> Smartphones People with smartphones are increasing, and that can cause various problems in railway facilities. Railway companies ask passengers to observe some cellphone manners, such as refraining from talking in cars, turning off their cellphones near priority seats, and so on. Recently the issues resulting from walking while using smartphones are also increasing, such as people falling on the rails, hitting other passengers, blocking people who are trying to walk, and etc. The companies have asked passengers to be mindful of this while using their smartphones as well. Two examples of these posters follow: ◆ Conclusion Recently, the diversity of types of work in increasing in Japan. Workers can choose short-time work, staggering their office hours, telecommuting, and so on. However, at the same time, daily ridership in the metropolitan area is also increasing, as well as sales of commuter train passes. Regular sales of the commuter passes indicate how many people work regularly in the downtown area of the city and it indicates the concentration of people and economic activities there. The population in Japan is decreasing, and it's said that even in the metropolitan areas it will start to decline. In addition, the recent sharing economy for cars and bikes, development of autonomous vehicles, etc. are all threats to the vitality of the railway transportation industry. But, from the perspective of recent trends in the use of railways, railway companies will need to continue to solve issues related rush hour congestion. Back to All JITTI Journals March 2018 Feature Article

Creating an Environment Where Foreign Visitors Can Travel Without Anxiety in Japan Creating an Environment Where Foreign Visitors Can Travel Without Anxiety in Japan -Formulation of Glossaries and Guidelines for Creating Manuals to Assist Foreign Tourists in an Emergency- by Daisuke Takagi 1. Glossaries for managing foreign tourists in an emergency (1) Background Foreign tourists visiting Japan are often unaware of disaster responses in Japan because they may not face the same types of disasters in their countries. Therefore, even when disaster terms and evacuation procedures used in Japan are translated as they are, there is a problem that foreign tourists may misunderstand the "actions to be taken in the event of a disaster." The Japan Tourism Agency has been translating into multiple languages the sentences explaining necessary actions for foreign tourists to take in the event of a disaster, but these are not "easy-to-understand expressions" for foreign tourists who may lack prior knowledge of disaster responses. For example, there may be alerts and evacuation orders based on geographical knowledge and warning information that pertain to them, but even if they are told, if foreign travelers are unable to comprehend them, they cannot understand how to act. Against this background, the agency created a "Glossary of Terms in Communicating Expressions" aimed at translating emergency information into easy-to-understand expressions so that foreign tourists can understand the actions to be taken in an emergency. (2) Structure This glossary is composed of "expressions" and "terms," and include examples and words translated into multiple languages that are expected to be used at each disaster site. The examples are organized with a focus on "actions to be taken in the event of a disaster," which is important for foreign tourists. In translating, the agency considered foreign tourists who do not have knowledge of the disaster itself, and also considered the expressions foreign tourists usually use in their home countries. Regarding the translation of expressions, the agency shortened the previous expressions, reviewed the examples so that foreign tourists can understand the actions to be taken, and added new expressions necessary for dealing with the COVID-19 infection. 2. Guidelines for creating a manual for foreign tourists in an emergency (1) Background Many local governments in Japan lack resources, such as budgets and staff, for assisting foreign tourists in the event of a disaster, and there are issues, such as the lack of multilingual information provision. The Japan Tourism Agency has created guidelines for local governments to describe disaster responses to foreign tourists in their regional disaster prevention plans. However, some local governments do not prepare foreign tourists in advance of a disaster, and many local governments do not have a designated department to do so. Many tourism-related businesses do not have disaster response manuals for foreign tourists, and assisting foreign tourists in an emergency has become an issue. Therefore, with the aim of demonstrating more specific action policies for local government agencies and businesses that deal with foreign tourists in emergencies, the agency has created a guideline that can be used as a reference when creating and revising the "Manual for Foreign Tourists in an Emergency". (2) Structure This guideline is composed “for administrative / related organizations," which includes local governments and tourism-related organizations (Destination Management/Marketing Organizations (DMOs), tourism associations, hotel associations, etc.), and "for businesses," such as accommodation / tourism facilities, transportation companies, retail shops, etc. Since the roles of local governments and DMOs differ in each region, and systems vary depending on the local government, this guideline should be referred to and used to the extent that it can be implemented according to the actual conditions of each region. The contents to be included in the preparation of the manual for foreign tourists in an emergency are organized into four phases ((a) disaster mitigation, (b) preparation for crisis, (c) response to crisis, and (d) recovery from crisis). In addition, as a reference material for this guideline, a template for information transmission that can be used immediately in the field is attached. Examples of contents to be included in the manual: (a) Disaster Mitigation  Calculation of the number of foreign tourists (preliminary confirmation of the number of visitors by country, language, religion, etc.) Determination of the status of disaster prevention facilities for foreign tourists (assessing the status of having multiple languages available at evacuation centers, etc.) (b) Crisis Preparedness Examination of attitudes toward foreign tourists in the event of a disaster (considering differences in the reactions of foreign tourists) Collection and preparation to provide information (Providing understanding of the multilingual information site of JNTO and each transportation system) Provision for multilingual support and evacuation guidance for foreign tourists (evacuation guidance in collaboration with the resident foreign community, etc.) Consideration and preparation for movement and return support for foreign travelers (confirmation of routes to international airports, securing means of transportation) (c) Crisis Response Creation of a list of foreign tourists evacuating to the area (sharing information with embassies and consulates in each country) (d) Crisis Recovery Dissemination of information on the reconstruction situation and foster a mindset for foreign tourists to return to Japan (disseminate information utilizing the foreign resident community, implement foreign monitor tours, etc.) Lastly, in the field of tourism crisis management, Dr. Sunkyung Choi of JTTRI (Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute), has conducted detailed research and analysis, including the evacuation behavior tendencies of foreign tourists during a large-scale earthquake. The research suggests the clear division of roles and cooperation between stakeholders, such as Japanese government, local governments, DMOs, and transportation providers. It also suggests that information providers should prepare materials with the foreigners’ knowledge level in mind, customize content to be foreign country-specific, without simply translating information from Japanese into foreign languages, and diversify information resources for wide information distribution considering that the sources foreigners use have varying degrees of reliability. Additionally, at the conclusion of the research she highlighted the importance of centralized information management, the need for a comprehensive approach to simultaneously consider evacuation plans and information provision for foreign tourists, and the development for “Tourism Disaster Information Management.” (If you want to learn more, please refer to “The 46th JTTRI Symposium on Research: Winter 2019” - https://www.jttri.or.jp/english/events/2019/sympo46.html#event_result . ) Back to All JITTI Journals May 2021 Feature Article

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

Rail Analyst, Daisuke Miyamoto, delves into the differences of applications of value capture between Japan and the US, and the stances of various US voices on how it should be implemented. < Back Surface Transportation Plan for redistributing profits from development in the USA (value capture) By Daisuke Miyamoto Rail Analyst, Daisuke Miyamoto, delves into the differences of applications of value capture between Japan and the US, and the stances of various US voices on how it should be implemented. Download the Report

JITTI Journal May 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2020 Feature Article The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector by Yasuhiro Okamoto 1. The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector  The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has made a massive impact on almost every sector of the economy and, without exception, the shipping industry has also been in the middle of economic turbulence. According to the media, container traffic at China’s biggest ports (Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Tianjin, Dalian, and Qingdao) fell for two weeks in a row in early April after a drop in overseas orders for the nation’s exports [Leng, 2020] The causes for decreased container traffic were that many companies started cutting back orders and postponing the delivery of goods due to the coronavirus, and shipping companies also reduced their capacities. For example, Ocean Network Express has announced revised schedules since February to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. 2. The Situation of the Port of Los Angeles Like China’s main ports, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest in the US by both container volume and cargo value. However, while it has faced a similar situation to China, the Port of Los Angeles has also encountered other unfavorable circumstances around container traffic at their port. The table below shows the container counts (TEUs) for the Port of Los Angeles, which were last recorded in March. As we can easily imagine, the total volume of containers in March largely decreased compared to the previous year. In particular, containers to the Port of Los Angeles from nations in the Pacific Ocean and from China account for the biggest portion of reduced shipments. The Chinese government has introduced various preventive measures to suppress the expansion of coronavirus, and has also slowed down economic activity. In April, there were signs of economic recovery in China, and factories restarted operations and resumed exporting goods. On the other hand, because of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, city lockdowns and curfews have led to closures of freight warehouses, and freights have been left without being picked up at these locations. Additionally, in conjunction with the decline of shipping capacity, empty containers have piled up without being returned to Asia (China). Therefore, the Port of Los Angeles has overflowed with uncollected and empty containers 3. The Issue of Cost Burden Another significant issue caused by the coronavirus for the shipping industry is determining who shall bear the additional cost to vessels from quarantine restrictions or delays while waiting for port authorities to grant clearance to enter port. Many owners of cargo vessels have now asserted that the force majeure clause is applicable in cases of detention or delay of cargo caused by the coronavirus. Consequently, owners of cargo vessels and shipping companies have entered into severe disputes. To avoid this, Japan P&I Club has recommended to include infectious disease clauses that are comprehensive and clearly allocate rights and responsibilities in the event of an outbreak to Time and Voyage Charterparties, which have been produced by BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council). 4. Comments The cost of freight cargo shipments has not changed much from February to March, and it’s clear that the decline in freight capacity has contributed these locked rates. Additionally, the issue of empty containers in many ports may be a potential hindrance for a smooth recovery of the global economy. Also, as I mentioned before, owners of cargo ships have faced an increase of container storage and drayage costs. Furthermore, owners must negotiate with shipping companies to share costs caused by the delay. We may see harmful repercussions of these issues reflected in our economic activities. References Leng, S. (2020, 4 15). Coronavirus: container traffic at China’s top eight ports plunges in early April as pandemic hits overseas orders. Retrieved from South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3080041/coronavirus-container-traffic-chinas-top-eight-ports-plunges  The Port of Los Angeles. (2020, 4 10). Container Statistics . Retrieved from https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics

As drones and other small unmanned aircraft are more widely manufactured, organizations have begun the formal process to receive aircraft certification in order for them to have greater usage in operations, including UPS and Amazon. This report explains the draft of safety standards released by the FAA in late 2020 to better measure design and testing of said aircraft. < Back Civil Aviation Publication of Draft Safety Standards for Small Unmanned Aircraft By Yoshihiro Fujimaki As drones and other small unmanned aircraft are more widely manufactured, organizations have begun the formal process to receive aircraft certification in order for them to have greater usage in operations, including UPS and Amazon. This report explains the draft of safety standards released by the FAA in late 2020 to better measure design and testing of said aircraft. Download the Report

JITTI Journal Cultural Article September 2019 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2019 Cultural Article Hakata Gion Yamakasa: An Introduction of One Local Japanese Festivity by Yasuhiro Okamoto Have you experienced Japanese traditional festivals?? Even though Japan is not a big country, each region has unique traditions and cultures, and all those cultural elements are reflected in their local festivals. Today I would like to focus on my hometown’s festival, which is named “Hakata Gion Yamakasa”. (It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1979 and a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2016.) “Hakata Gion Yamakasa” is a unique festival in Japan. You will be so surprised when you see the attire of the participants. During the festival, the town of Hakata (one of the districts of Fukuoka city) is filled with men called “Shimekomi,” or another name for them is “Hundoshi”. Rikishi (Sumo wrestler) also put on the Shimekomi, so you might have seen this attire on TV or in a magazine before. While no longer prevalent, it was commonly worn as underclothes for Japanese men and broadly wore until 1940. During the festival, the men wearing “Shimekomi” participate in float-racing by carrying and running with floats, called “Yamakasa,” which weigh around one ton around the city. Meanwhile, people splash water at the processions to cool down the men’s body temperatures and to reduce the floats’ friction with the ground. The history of Yamakasa goes back for more than 700 years, and the origin of the festival is said to be from a time when people tried to purify the land from disaster and disease by splashing water from a wooden stretcher. Men dressed in traditional shimekomi attire carry a float through the streets of Hataka ward in Fukuoaka City, Japan. ( IMG_8967 by koem is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 ) The festival starts from July 9 th and goes for seven days. The climax of the festival is on July 15 th , and this is also the last day of “Hakata Gion Yamakasa”. The program of the last day consists of two races. One is “Kushidairi,” which is a short course (the distance is 112 meters (367 feet)), and the other one is “Oiyamakasa,” which is a long course (the distance is about five kilometers (3.1 miles)). Seven teams compete for the fastest time in the short and long courses. If you have a chance to visit Fukuoka during this term, of course I strongly recommend that you see the last day of the festival. However, it starts 4:59 AM, so you might miss your chance to see it. Nonetheless, don’t worry, as during July 1 st to July 15 th , there are fourteen “Kazariyamakasa.” These decorative 13 meter (43 feet) high floats are not carried during the races, but are stationed around the town. These too are also very exciting to see, and you can compare the designs and decorations made by Japanese traditional artists which adorn the “Kazariyamakasa.” Fukuoka is also especially known as a sacred place for Tonkotsu ramen (a famous type of ramen where pork bones form the base of its soup broth). So before or after seeing this very exciting festival, having the great taste of Tonkotsu ramen must be the perfect combo for visitors. For your next trip, please go a little further to the south part of Japan to explore another Japan that you still may not know. Decorative floats, such as this one, showcase the skills of local artists. ( 山笠 by Yukiko Yamamoto is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 )

Coordinating between three municipalities and private/public transportation organizations poses a challenge, but the greater Washington, D.C. area is making strides in allowing for data sharing, open access, and cooperation between urban transport and city planning. < Back Surface Transportation Mobility on Demand Trends in the United States ~A Case Study of Washington, D.C., Part 3~ By Daisuke Miyamoto Coordinating between three municipalities and private/public transportation organizations poses a challenge, but the greater Washington, D.C. area is making strides in allowing for data sharing, open access, and cooperation between urban transport and city planning. Download the Report