JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2019 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2019 Cultural Article What is Koshien? Japan’s Biggest Sporting Event in Summer by Daisuke Takagi If they heard the phrase “Summer Sports,” most Japanese people would think of the same word, "Koshien." One might ask “What kind of sport is Koshien?” However, Koshien is not the name of a sport, but the name of a baseball stadium. In Japan, the final tournament of the National High School Baseball Championships is held every August at Koshien, which is officially named the “Hanshin Koshien Stadium”. Typically, the Hanshin Tigers, one of Japan’s professional baseball teams, uses it as its home stadium, but during this term it is solely used by high school baseball teams. The tournament is a summer classic in Japan, and because it takes place during the time of year when the temperatures are at its most extreme hot, Japanese people have associated high school baseball in particular with summer. While the national high school baseball tournament at Koshien Stadium is also held in spring, summer Koshien is more popular and exciting for Japanese people. This tournament is a very historic tournament that had its 100 th anniversary last year. About 4,000 high schools are divided by prefecture to hold preliminary tournaments, and the winning high school from each prefecture can participate in the final tournament at Koshien (but in Tokyo and Hokkaido, two schools can be represented as there are so many high schools in these prefectures. In addition, there are some prefectures where two schools can participate in the tournament in a commemorative year like 80th, 90th or 100 th anniversaries). By the way, the prefecture which has the largest number of champion high schools is Osaka Prefecture. In addition, the high school that has won the most in the past is Chukyo University Senior High School in Aichi Prefecture, which has won seven times. Speaking of sports, “cheering” is an essential part of the sport. As it is a great honor to compete in the historic Koshien tournament and aim for the national championship, the family of players, other current students, and alumnae rush to root for and support their high school team. In addition, performances by each school’s brass band club is very common. There are various theories as to why, but it is said that it is easy to start playing various songs as baseball is divided into separate offenses and defenses. In Koshien, precise performances by dozens or hundreds of brass band club members cheers up players with standard numbers, popular numbers, and sometimes even original numbers during games. In addition to the cheering section, there are several scenes unique to the high school baseball tournament at Koshien. One is for the winning team to remain on the grounds after the game and sing the school song. The scene of the baseball players standing in a row and singing the school song is also a sight that reminds you of summer. While the winning team sings the school song, what does the defeated school do? Their tradition is to take the soil of Koshien home. There are many players who take the soil as a memorial of their experience and expression that they will miss Koshien in their hearts. However, it is said that some high schools do not dare take the soil home with them as they are determined to return to Koshien again. Koshien is also the gateway for professional baseball players, and many of the Japanese major leaguers have experience at Koshien. Famous past stars including Hideki Matsui and Ichiro, and those who are currently active like Masahiro Tanaka, Yu Darvish and Shohei Otani have played at Koshien. In these hot summer months, I hope that you have a moment to see Koshien whether you are physically at the stadium or view it through other means. Once you’ve experienced Koshien, with its youthful and earnest baseball players, the boisterous and hopeful fan sections, and bittersweet victories and defeats, I’m sure that you will be hooked. Outside of the Hanshin Koshien Stadium

JITI 2013 Safer Vehicle Seminar Advanced Automotive Safety Technologies March 20, 2013 Grand Hyatt Washington 1000 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC Even with a declining trend in traffic fatalities in the United States and Japan during the last decade, every year tens of thousands of lives are lost to traffic accidents. These accidents are often the result of driver error that could be avoided through improved driver performance and judgment. Considering the contribution of human factors to accident causation, various stakeholders are working to ensure improved safety via advanced safety technologies. Examples of these cutting-edge technologies include advanced emergency braking systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This seminar presented the latest developments in the U.S. and Japan, such as self-driving cars, and discuss how technology is contributing to traffic safety. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Keynote Speeches Joseph Carra, PhD Director, Strategic Planning & Domestic and Global Integration for Vehicle Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Bio Presentation Hidenobu Kubota Director for Implementation of International Agreements, Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan Bio Presentation Seigo Kuzumaki Deputy Chief Safety Technology Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation Bio Presentation Scott J. McCormick President, Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA) Bio Presentation Bryan Reimer, PhD Research Scientist, AgeLab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Bio Presentation Panel Discussion Bryant Walker Smith (Moderator) Fellow, Center for Internet and Society, Stanford Law School and Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS) Bio

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

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

JITTI Journal Cultural Article May 2021 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2021 Cultural Article Going Wild: Japan’s Native Animals and Where to Find Them by Mamiko Kim When I taught English in Japan several years ago, I tasked a handful of my elementary school students to guess what types of animals might live in our region. These clever 7- and 8-year-olds were quick to name off a long list of potential candidates, including accurately naming deer and snakes, but they also had some interesting guesses, like wild boar and monkeys. The biggest shock to me, however, was that they struggled to think of one that is so commonplace here in Washington, D.C. that the Washington Post has an annual local photography contest of these creatures. Can you think of what animal it might have been? You likely see one of their kind outside your window right now. The students were able to correctly guess that eagles were in our region. Mr. President, a male bald eagle that shares his nest at the National Arboretum in NE Washington, D.C. with a rotating number of First Ladies, is a minor local celebrity with a 24/7 live cam. The answer is squirrels. I later learned how very smart and logical my students had been in their responses. Later that year, an announcement was made over the school intercom. “Do not exit the building, as it is dangerous,” it said. “There is a monkey wandering the school yard.” Monkeys may have been an occasional visitor to these students’ schools, but squirrels were a sight rarely, if ever, seen. Animals are neighbors that we sometimes take for granted, and it is fascinating to think how the animals we see every day are not common elsewhere, and vice versa. Japan has a rich diversity of animals, and luckily there are means for travelers to learn more about them. Here are a few native Japanese animals and where to find them: Japanese Macaque Also known as the snow monkey, the Japanese macaque is perhaps the most famous Japanese native animal outside of the country. Measuring as long as 2 feet, these macaques live across the Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu regions, ranging from subtropical to subarctic climates. In fact, among nonhuman primates they live the farthest north and in the coldest climate in the world, surviving temperatures as chilling as -4° F (-20° C). With such blistering cold weather, it may be no surprise that these characteristically gray or brown furred, red faced, and stubby tailed monkeys have found ways to adapt. In a country that takes pride in its natural hot springs and bathing culture, Japanese macaques can be found soaking in hot springs as warm as 109° F (43° C). These ingenious creatures have been observed inventing new behaviors and sharing them with others in their group as well, including washing food in rivers, seasoning sweet potatoes in salty sea water, and making snowballs for fun.1) With their high intelligence and human-like behavior, they are a popular character in Japanese folklore and even appear in Japanese Shinto and Buddhist religions. The Wise Monkeys originated from Japan (source 2), with “mi-zaru, kika-zaru, iwa-zaru,” or “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” being a play on words for the Japanese word for monkey (s/zaru). The monkeys carved here are on the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, opened in 1617. Jigokudani Yaen-koen, established in 1964, is perhaps the best place for visitors to see a wild Japanese macaque up close. The park is in Nagano Prefecture within the monkeys’ natural habitat, which encompasses several kilometers of the surrounding mountain forests and valley. Within the park is a man-made hot spring, which is a popular spot for the monkeys seeking a warm soak during the winter months. While they have become accustomed to seeing humans, the park is not enclosed, and the monkeys come and go as they please. The macaques may be found in the mountainside as well, but are more apt to keep their distance, so the park truly gives the greatest opportunity for visitors to take photographs. Meanwhile, travelers can also enjoy the natural hot springs in the area themselves with two old-fashioned resort towns nearby, Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen, which boast a wide range of historic guests, from samurai to poets, and Japanese-style inns as old as 400 years.3) The monkeys do come into the villages as well at times but prefer their own hot spring. Only a 5–10-minute bus ride from the park, the towns offer a respite after the monkey-watching of the day.4) No monkey business here- just honest relaxation for human and macaque alike. Steller’s Sea Eagle As the boat captain tosses the prepared butchered fish onto ice, you hold your breath. You’ve come to see the Steller’s sea eagle, one of the least observed or understood birds in the world due to it only being found in the remote reaches of Siberia Russia and northern Hokkaido, Japan.5) These migratory birds, the largest sea eagle and the heaviest eagle in the world (wingspan up to 8 feet/284 cm and weighing up to 21 pounds/9.5 kg), only come down to Japan during the winter where they follow the Pacific cod and Alaska pollock so important to their diet.6) While generally wary of humans, they’ve been known to walk within a few feet of fishermen that they’ve seen before, and even feasted on deer killed by huntsmen. In Japan, they come close to boats and as many as 20-30 can be seen at a time. This would be a rarity in Russia, where the birds breed along cliffs and spread out into pairs as they nest, making them more elusive. You hope today’s venture will be fruitful, and you are soon rewarded. A dark brown bird is spotted, and as it gets closer you can see the white tips along the ridge of its wings and on its tail. It lands gracefully among the pieces of fish laid about and begins to enjoy the prepared spread. The Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido is registered as a World Heritage site, specifically as it is a winter nesting ground for several rare birds, including the Steller’s sea eagle, which has been named a Japanese National Treasure and is protected. Winter cruises depart from the town of Rausu on the peninsula for wildlife observation expeditions, and along with the Steller’s sea eagles, Blakiston’s fish owls, white-tailed sea eagles, spotted seals, ribbon seals, and clione (sea angels), may be seen. February and March are the best months to visit the peninsula, as drift ice floats into the Nemuro straight, essentially cutting it off from the ocean, constructing a calm surface where the wildlife gathers. If visitors come any later, these rare birds will have flown back to their breeding grounds, and hopeful bird watchers will have to try again the following year. A size comparison between a white-tailed eagle (left- about the size of the American bald eagle) and the Steller’s sea eagle (right). Both birds nest at the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido over winter. Japanese Giant Salamander If you were walking by a river, and saw something move, what would you do? Would you be intrigued and go closer, or back away in caution? Now, what if that something was almost the same size as you? If you are lucky, you may have caught a glimpse of a Japanese Giant Salamander, who have captured the public imagination for generations. The Japanese giant salamander can be found in rivers in southwestern Japan, growing to 5 feet (160 cm) and 55 lbs. (25 kg), and living to nearly 80 years in the wild. Without gills and with poor eyesight due to its small eyes, one may wonder how well it can survive submerged, but its skin has the remarkable ability to absorb oxygen in flowing water and is also covered in hair-like sensory cells that detect vibrations. This characteristic is helpful when the salamander hunts insects, frogs, and fish at night, and its brown and black spotted skin also makes for excellent camouflage during the day when it hides under river rocks. Its name in Japanese, Osanshouo (大山椒魚), or Giant Pepper Fish, also gives a hint to another hidden talent it possesses, which when threatened, can excrete a strong smell reminiscent of Japanese peppers. "Beware of the Yokai!" from Discovery Channel Magazine June/July 2009 issue. Calligrapher: Ai Tatebayashi It is no surprise that Japanese giant salamanders have inspired legends and curiosity for ancient and modern Japanese people alike. Within Japanese mythical folklore, it is thought that the idea for kappa, or river monsters, may be based on them. With webbed hands and feet, a turtle shell on its back, and a plate on its head, kappa were dangerous creatures who were blamed for drownings. It must have given ancient Japanese people a fright to see a vaguely human-sized figure in rivers, though of course we know now that Japanese giant salamanders are generally ambivalent towards humans. More recently, the world-wide famous Pokémon franchise took an interest to Japanese giant salamanders, which were the inspiration for the cartoon creature Quagsire. Quagsire is described as carefree swimmer who likes collecting round objects, which are lucky if found by others. This certainly is an image upgrade! Quagsire from Pokémon The Japanese giant salamander’s habitats are under threat from development, with scientists estimating that further destruction will lead to the animals’ extinction (they are currently labeled as vulnerable). With this in mind, in Tottori Prefecture the Nichinan Town Office, the Daisen Oki National Park, leading Salamander Researcher, Dr. Sumio Okada, and regional expert, Richard Pearce have formed the Nichinan Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience, an educational opportunity bringing participants along to assist Dr. Okada as he surveys the salamander population. Surveys are done in an ethical manner, with locations specifically selected and rotated to leave the salamanders as undisturbed as possible. Furthermore, no such expeditions are made during the breeding season (late August to mid-September). The price of the experience includes a donation to the Tari Hanzake (Giant Salamander) Conservation Group, which will further assist in conservation efforts. With the salamander’s welfare placed first in importance, travelers participating in the experience can feel good about giving a helping hand in preserving one of Japan’s important endangered creatures. These are just three of Japan’s native animals, but there are many, many more. For animal lovers, Japan offers a grand escape to see many animals up close. Including the wild animals listed above, Nara is famous for its deer that come up to ask for snacks, Okunoshima has a large population of rabbits that will hop along after you, and lounging foxes can be photographed at the Zao Fox Village in Miyagi. Of course, tame animals offer companionship in the many various cafes throughout Japan as well, including cat cafes and Shiba Inu cafes. Regardless of your length of trip, there is always an opportunity to see Japan’s native animals. References: https://blueplanetbiomes.org/japanese_macaque.php https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803104448685#:~:text=The%20Wise%20Monkeys%20originated%20in,Roads%2C%20whose%20attendants%20they%20are . https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6029.html https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/stellers-sea-eagle https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Steller%27s_sea_eagle#/overview https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/new-zoo-japanese-giant-salamander#:~:text=A%20supersized%20salamander%20recently%20debuted,up%20to%205%20feet%20long ! https://jpninfo.com/28101 https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Quagsire_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

The first half of 2020 was some of the most difficult times seen in the travel industry, dwarfing the 2009 financial crisis in loss of revenue. With the entire world affected, looking at the nuance between regions of the world may add some clarity to how the course of the coronavirus has impacted tourism and travel on a global scale. < Back Tourism & More Travel Trends of International Tourism in the First Half of 2020 According to the UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer By Daisuke Takagi The first half of 2020 was some of the most difficult times seen in the travel industry, dwarfing the 2009 financial crisis in loss of revenue. With the entire world affected, looking at the nuance between regions of the world may add some clarity to how the course of the coronavirus has impacted tourism and travel on a global scale. Download the Report

EXPO 2025: Osaka, Kansai, Japan < Back

Japanese Government Initiatives for Inbound Tourism Recovery Japanese Government Initiatives for Inbound Tourism Recovery by Hirokazu Nishikawa Introduction Last October, during the Ministerial Conference on the Promotion of Tourism presided over by the Prime Minister, the government decided on a new "Policy Package for a Full-Scale Recovery of Inbound Travel." The government will mobilize all relevant ministries and agencies to implement intensive measures with the aim of achieving inbound consumption of over 5 trillion yen. The pre-Covid target was to achieve 15 trillion yen in inbound travel spending by 2030, and although the target has been reset to about one-third of the same amount, the government intends to take advantage of the weak yen to achieve the same amount as quickly as possible. 　 In this report, I would like to provide an overview of the package. Contents of the Package The package has the following four pillars, which are listed below along with specific examples of each. (1) Providing special experiences Promote the provision of special experiences and limited-time-only activities throughout the country, such as the limited-opening of Himeji Castle's keep, which is a World Heritage site. The provision of special experiences and limited-time-only initiatives will be promoted in every corner of Japan. Other examples include the opening of the interior of the five-story pagoda at Myooin Temple in Hiroshima Prefecture and the opening of the Shosoin Temple in Nara Prefecture to the public (both are designated national treasures). Myooin Five-Story Pagoda 【 Reference 】 国宝　明王院 オフィシャルホームページ ( chisan.net ) Shosoin Temple 【 Reference 】 正倉院 - 東大寺 ( todaiji.or.jp ) (2) Providing new experiences that take advantage of the charms of nature Promote the provision of new content, such as adventure tourism, which refers to activities that allow visitors to experience nature. In national parks, promote nighttime use, etc., in order to expand the use of these parks. Nighttime walking event in Akan-Mashu National Park 【 Reference 】 KAMUY LUMINA ( カムイルミナ ) (3) Promote events as a hook to attract visitors Combine tourism with art, sports, theme park-related events, etc., to attract visitors from all over Japan. Japanese food and culture, international art festivals, and large-scale international sports events will be utilized. Ghibli Park 【 Reference 】 ジブリパークとは｜ジブリパーク ( ghibli-park.jp ) (4) Strategic promotion, CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine), etc. Strategically promote the restart of tourism in Japan using social media, TV commercials, etc. Also, promote the improvement of entry points into Japan, including by further upgrading the CIQ system, in preparation for the resumption of international flights. Conclusion According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2022 was approximately 3.83 million, a rapid recovery of more than 15 times compared to the previous year. Although still only 10% of the pre-Covid figure for 2019, further recovery in the number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected, supported by the impact of the yen's depreciation. The content of the package suggests that the Japanese government will develop a tourism strategy that makes the most of Japan's unique characteristics, and we look forward to this and will continue to closely monitor the Japanese government's moves to re-launch tourism. 【Reference】 001583431.pdf ( mlit.go.jp ) Back to All JITTI Journals July 2023 Feature Article

Initiatives to Relieve Congestion in Japan's Rail Industry < Back

The redevelopment project for Hudson Yard is the largest in New York City history, and consequently comes with unique financial challenges and ingenuity. Part 3 of this series investigates bonds, loans, and the current status of finances and financial relationships in the Hudson Yards Project. < Back Surface Transportation Financing Development of Public Transport-oriented Urban Growth and Subway Infrastructure at New York City’s Hudson Yard through Profit Gained from the Development Itself (Part 3) By Tomomi Tsuchiya & Daisuke Miyamoto The redevelopment project for Hudson Yard is the largest in New York City history, and consequently comes with unique financial challenges and ingenuity. Part 3 of this series investigates bonds, loans, and the current status of finances and financial relationships in the Hudson Yards Project. Download the Report

Tokyo Metro's Stock Listing and the History of Tokyo's Subway Tokyo Metro's Stock Listing and the History of Tokyo's Subway By Naoki Sato On October 23, 2024, Tokyo Metro, a railway (subway) operator in Japan, was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Previously, Tokyo Metro's shares were entirely owned by the Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. However, with this listing, 50% of these shares were sold. As of the date of its listing, this was the largest Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2024, attracting significant attention. In this article, I would like to briefly review the history of the Tokyo’s subway system and describe how Tokyo Metro was listed. In addition, I would like to inform you in advance that this article was written based on the author's research and from the standpoint of a researcher at the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA. Overview of Tokyo’s Subway System Today There are 13 subway lines in Tokyo, mainly in the wards of Tokyo, but they are operated by two railway (subway) operators, "Tokyo Metro" and "Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (TOEI)". To briefly explain, Tokyo Metro has a network of 180 stations with 9 lines of 195.0 km(121.1miles), of which 7 lines operate directly through each other with other railway companies, covering a distance of 556.6 km (345.8miles) of commercial lines, including mutual direct service destinations. In fiscal 2023, Tokyo Metro carried an average of approximately 6.52 million passengers per day. TOEI, meanwhile, has a network of 106 stations with 4 lines of 109.0 km(67.7miles), three of which operate directly through each other with other railway companies, covering a distance of 363.3 km(225.7miles) of commercial lines, including mutual direct service destinations. In fiscal 2022, TOEI carried an average of approximately 2.24 million passengers per day. (*As far as the author has been able to ascertain, the most recent fiscal year for TOEI figures was FY2022.) Tokyo Subway Route Map （by Tokyo Metro | Subway Map ） The beginning of Tokyo’s subway The history of Tokyo’s subway system began in 1927 with the opening of Japan’s first subway line, the Ginza Line, which initially operated between Asakusa Station and Ueno Station. The organization responsible for this construction was the predecessor of Tokyo Metro, a company established with private capital. In other words, the first steps in development of Tokyo’s subway system were initiated by a private company. The construction of a subway system by the private sector alone became difficult due to the recession and other factors, and in 1941 the Teito Rapid Transit Authority was established as a joint public-private investment organization under a law promulgated and enforced in 1938. The purpose of the Teito Rapid Transit Authority was to construct and operate the Tokyo subway system in a unified manner. View of the ticket gate at the opening of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line （by Metro Cultural Foundation ） Participation in the construction of the Tokyo’s subway by TOEI Although the Teito Rapid Transit Authority started as a public-private venture, private capital was excluded in 1951 in favor of government funding, transforming the organization into one owned by only the national government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. At that time, Japan was experiencing economic growth and population concentration in cities, and there was an urgent need to improve the subway network. Teito Rapid Transit Authority had started construction work on the Marunouchi Line, but in order to cope with the increase in users, it was decided that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government would construct a subway as well. This was the beginning of the TOEI. Then, in 1959, the Marunouchi Line (now operated by Tokyo Metro) was fully opened, and in 1960, the Asakusa Line (operated by TOEI) began service, initially between Oshiage Station and Asakusabashi Station. This marked the start of Tokyo’s subway construction being advanced by two different operators. Furthermore, when the Asakusa Line opened, it became the first Tokyo subway line to engage in through-service operations with a private railway, Keisei Electric Railway. Ceremonial scene at the opening of the TOEI Asakusa Line （by TOEI TRANSPORTATION ） Privatization of From Teito Rapid Transit Authority to Tokyo Metro and the Discussion on Unification Tokyo Metro and TOEI Subway construction continued over the years, and by 2004, when the construction of the subway was largely completed, the Teito Rapid Transit Authority was privatized (incorporated into a corporation), becoming Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Even after privatization, shares were held by the national government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, but the law called for the prompt sale of shares, that is, complete privatization. However, there were calls from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to discuss the unification of Tokyo’s subway operators, taking into account the historical context and convenience for passengers. In 2010, a council was established, composed from members of the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and Tokyo Metro, to discuss unification. Thus, discussions on the timing of the stock listing proved difficult. Amid these debates, a law was passed in 2011 stipulating that the proceeds from the sale of the national government’s Tokyo Metro shares would be allocated to the reconstruction fund for the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Stock Listing and the Expansion of the Yurakucho Line There is no doubt that the law for reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake has encouraged the listing, but I believe that there are other factors that have led to its occurrence at this time, with one of these being the expansion of the Yurakucho Line. One of the key reasons for the privatization of the Teito Rapid Transit Authority was that most new subway construction had been completed, and the focus had shifted primarily to operations. In other words, after the transition to Tokyo Metro, no new large-scale subway line construction was planned. However, due to strong local demands, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government sought to push forward with the expansion of the Yurakucho Line. Simply put, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government had two desires: to unify subway operators and to extend the Yurakucho Line. In this context, the national government presented a recommendation in 2021, stating that it would be appropriate for Tokyo Metro to be the primary entity responsible for extending the subway system while the national government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government would retain half of Tokyo Metro’s shares for the time being. In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided to proceed with the sale of its Tokyo Metro shares, which had been delayed due to discussions about unification, and also to advance the expansion of the Yurakucho Line. At last With Tokyo Metro’s stock listing, the company will undoubtedly attract more attention than ever before. This means that Tokyo Metro will need to be more conscious of its stock price and consider the voices of new shareholders in its management decisions. However, the fundamental role that Tokyo Metro and the TOEI play as subway operators in Tokyo is unlikely to change. Moving forward, I hope that both operators will continue to achieve high customer satisfaction and persist in developing a sustainable subway system that Tokyo (and Japan) can proudly present to the world. Reference Tokyo Metro https://www.tokyometro.jp/corporate/enterprise/passenger_rail/transportation/lines/index.html Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/about/service/subway.html Tokyo Subway Corporation Act https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/414AC0000000188 Recommendation of the Council for Transport Policy https://www.mlit.go.jp/policy/shingikai/content/001414998.pdf Back to All JITTI Journals November 2024 Feature Article

Deputy and JCAB Representative, Shinichi Yamada, reviews the mission of and findings from the 2019 EASA-FAA International Safety Conference. < Back Civil Aviation 2019 EASA-FAA International Safety Conference By Shinichi Yamada Deputy and JCAB Representative, Shinichi Yamada, reviews the mission of and findings from the 2019 EASA-FAA International Safety Conference. Download the Report