In this concluding report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, major U.S. cities that have begun implementing MoD are analyzed for which location has the most ideal factors for their programs to succeed based on a set of quantitative and qualitative requirements. < Back Surface Transportation A Report on Trends of Mobility on Demand in the United States (Part 4) By Daisuke Miyamoto In this concluding report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, major U.S. cities that have begun implementing MoD are analyzed for which location has the most ideal factors for their programs to succeed based on a set of quantitative and qualitative requirements. Download the Report

Amendment of Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act in Response to the Haneda Airport Runway Collision Amendment of Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act in Response to the Haneda Airport Runway Collision by Shinichiro Tsuri 1. Background On May 30, 2025, the Japanese Diet passed a bill to partially amend the Civil Aeronautics Act and other related acts, and the revised Civil Aeronautics Act was promulgated on June 6, 2025. One of the key pillars of the amendments is ensuring aviation safety incorporating lessons learned from the tragic accident at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) on January 2, 2024, which involved a fatal runway collision between a Bombardier DHC-8-315 operated by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and an Airbus A350-941 operated by Japan Airlines (JAL). While the root causes of the accident remain under investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB), the amendments were proposed in line with the recommendations outlined in the interim report released in June 2024 by the Haneda Airport Aircraft Collision Prevention Measures Review Committee, established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) following the accident. This article provides an overview of this legal amendment prompted by the incident. JCG’s Aircraft after the Accident (Image Source: JTSB’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Interim Report ) JAL’s Aircraft after the Accident (Image Source: JTSB’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Interim Report ) 2. Overview of the Amendments for Aviation Safety Enhancing Runway Safety Measures at Airports One aspect of the amendments to the Civil Aeronautics Act for aviation safety is enhancement of runway safety. Article 47 was revised to add “measures related preventing runway incursion” to items to be specified in the standards securing the function of aerodrome or air navigation facilities, which their providers must follow. Examples of such measures include the following items, which were mentioned in the recommendations by the Haneda Airport Aircraft Collision Prevention Measures Review Committee. Establish Runway Safety Teams (which consist of aerodrome operators, ATC provider, aircraft operators, ground handling operators) at major airports (New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Osaka, Kansai, Fukuoka and Naha Airports) Ensure proper operation of RunWay Status Lights (RWSL) and other facilities Install location information transmitters on vehicles entering runways Strengthen the safety supervision system for ground handling (aircraft towing/pushback, cargo loading/unloading, refueling, ramp bus and other auxiliary services) operators Function of RWSL (warning aircraft waiting on taxiways of other aircraft taking off or landing) (Image Source: Summary Document of Amendment of the Civil Aeronautics Act ) Mandatory CRM (Crew Resource Management) Training for Pilots Another aspect of the amendments for aviation safety is mandating CRM training for pilots. According to ICAO Circular 217 “Human Factors Digest No. 2 - Flight Crew Training: Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) and Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT),” CRM is defined as “the effective use of all available resources, i.e. equipment, procedures and people, to achieve safe and efficient flight operations.” CRM training focuses on skills such as communication/interpersonal skills, situation awareness, problem-solving/decision-making/judgement, leadership/“followership,” stress management and critique. While CRM training had been already mandatory for pilots of air carriers operating airplanes requiring two or more flight crews, the Haneda Airport Aircraft Collision Prevention Measures Review Committee recommended extending CRM training to all pilots, including private pilots, in order to prevent human errors in air traffic control communication. Example Situation of CRM (Image Source: Summary Document of Amendment of the Civil Aeronautics Act ) In accordance with the above recommendation, Article 71-5 was newly added to mandate that all pilots who take off or land at airports in air traffic control zones complete CRM training conducted by a registered training organization. A training organization can be registered by the MLIT when its facilities, equipment, training materials and instructors are found to comply with prescribed requirements. For example, the organization must provide training materials that include scripted scenarios modeled on past incidents such as runway incursions, in which trainees assume the role of the pilot to acquire management skills. The registered training organization must issue a certificate of completion to pilots who have completed their training course, and based on newly added Article 71-6, they must carry this certificate when taking off or landing at airports in air traffic control zones, except as otherwise provided. Article 71-5 and 71-6 will become applicable within three years after promulgation. 3. Conclusion While the 2025 amendment to Civil Aeronautics Act is a cornerstone for enhancing aviation safety, it will also be essential to establish subordinate legislation and to ensure effective implementation within the legal framework. I hope that the entire aviation industry will fully learn from the lessons of the accident at Haneda Airport and work actively to further improve safety. References JTSB, (Aircraft Accident Investigation Interim Report) Japan Coast Guard Bombardier DHC-8-315, JA722A and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd Airbus A350-941, JA13XJ https://jtsb.mlit.go.jp/eng-air_report/interim20241225-JA722A_JA13XJ.pdf MLIT, Haneda Airport Aircraft Collision Prevention Measures Review Committee https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/koku_tk13_000045.html MLIT, Cabinet Decision of the “The Bill to Partially Amend the Civil Aeronautics Act and Other Related Acts” ~ Ensuring Aviation Safety and Promoting the Early Restoration of Disaster-Affected Airports ~ https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/kouku01_hh_000134.html Japanese Law Translation, The Bill to Partially Amend the Civil Aeronautics Act and Other Related Acts https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/outline/160/905R719.pdf Cabinet Office, Act to Partially Amend the Civil Aeronautics Act and Other Related Acts https://www.kanpo.go.jp/20250606/20250606g00125/20250606g001250009f.html Back to All JITTI Journals July 2025 Feature Article

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

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

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

In this report, JITTI Aviation Analyst Tetsuhiro Hagiwara gives a run-down of the 2021 Future Travel Experience Global Conference, which was held for the first time in person since the beginning of the pandemic. Learn more about cutting-edge travel technology and airport industry trends, including advancements in biometric authentiation, the Hyperloop, and more. < Back Civil Aviation Event Report: Future Travel Experience Global 2021 By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara In this report, JITTI Aviation Analyst Tetsuhiro Hagiwara gives a run-down of the 2021 Future Travel Experience Global Conference, which was held for the first time in person since the beginning of the pandemic. Learn more about cutting-edge travel technology and airport industry trends, including advancements in biometric authentiation, the Hyperloop, and more. Download the Report

The U.S. and Japan Sailed Out on a New Stage of the Coast Guard Alliance < Back

The two-day GAD Americas conference was held in Miami, Florida from June 1st to 2nd, 2023. The event was hosted by Aviation Week Network, a New York-based global think tank and information dissemination company in the aerospace, defense and aviation industries. Business leaders from aviation authorities, airport operators, banks and funds were invited to attend. In this paper, I will select and report on the event programs that I found to be particularly useful, with a focus on the sessions portion of the event. < Back Civil Aviation July 2024 GAD Americas 2023 Participation Report By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara The two-day GAD Americas conference was held in Miami, Florida from June 1st to 2nd, 2023. The event was hosted by Aviation Week Network, a New York-based global think tank and information dissemination company in the aerospace, defense and aviation industries. Business leaders from aviation authorities, airport operators, banks and funds were invited to attend. In this paper, I will select and report on the event programs that I found to be particularly useful, with a focus on the sessions portion of the event. Download the Report

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

JITTI Journal May 2018 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2018 Feature Article Improving and Strengthening the Transport Safety Management System by Hiroki Sakamoto Ensuring safety is a central and fundamental issue in the public transportation sector. When an accident occurs, it not only can cause significant damage, but it can also have an enormous impact on society. Therefore various measures are being undertaken to prevent accidents from occurring. In October 2006, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan introduced the 'Transport Safety Management System' in the wake of frequently occurring accidents and other incidents in various transportation sectors, such as railway, automobile, shipping, and airlines. These incidents were primarily those which were caused by human error. This policy aims to build and strengthen the safety management system, which will be united with the MLIT organization, under the proactive involvement of the top management executive in transport operation. MLIT conducts Transport Safety Management Evaluations, through checks and advice, which is intended to continuously improve the safety management system by using the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) cycle. In FY2016, 932 transport operators (59 railways, 640 automobiles, 223 shipping and 10 airlines) were subject to Transport Safety Management Evaluation. The outline of the Transport Safety Management System is as follows (Figure 1). Based on lessons learned from past serious accidents in the transportation field, it is important for each transport operator to spiral upward (with an awareness of the PDCA cycle) using company-wide efforts toward safety, and the establishment of a safety management system under the leadership of the top management executives. For this reason, business laws related to land, marine, and air transport were amended (promulgated in March 2006) and the Transport Safety Management System was introduced. Under this legislation, transport operators are required to appoint a Chief Safety Management Officer (executive class), set out safety management rules, and promote the improvement and establishment of safety management systems through the leadership of top management. Also, preventive safety-type support systems were implemented through interviews and other measures directed at the transport operators' management division, including their top management executives. (Figure 1) The outline of the Transport Safety Management System Transport Safety Management Evaluation teams, belonging to the MLIT and District Transport Bureau, visit transport operators' headquarters to conduct the Transport Safety Management Evaluation on the operators' Top Management and Chief Safety Management Officer (Figure 2). (Figure 2) Transport Safety Management Evaluation on Top Management The team conducts a positive evaluation and provides advice, to help promote continuous improvements, based on items from the guidelines to the system, some of which are as follows (and in Figure 3). Formulate and promulgate safety policies Formulate and review priority safety measures Ensure communication Collect and use information on accidents and near-miss events Implement education and training Conduct internal audits, etc. (14 items) (Figure 3) Evaluation Chart of Transport Safety Management Evaluation In FY2016, MLIT hosted transport safety management seminars for transport operators in order to deepen understanding of this system, and these seminars were attended by 3,789 people. In FY2015, 7,043 people attended seminars, as part of an accredited seminar program that was established in 2013 for the purpose of further disseminating and shedding light on this system to small and medium-sized transport operators (programs through which transport safety management seminars organized by private-sector organizations are accredited by the MLIT). October 2016 was designated as the "10 Years of Strengthening Transport Safety Management Month" to mark the 10 years that had passed since the system was introduced. Evaluations by MLIT had been conducted on approx. 7,500 transport operators over the past 10 years at that point, which contributed greatly to the improvement of their safety. MLIT carried out initiatives to further spread and instill the system, including holding discussions about how the system should work in the future, such as the "2016 Symposium on Safety in the Transport Business: Review of the 10 Years since the Introduction of the Transport Safety Management System and Directions for the Next 10 Years," and the "Transport Safety Management 10th Anniversary Seminar." Moreover, the system's effects and issues were reviewed and discussions were held by the Transport Council's Task Force on Ensuring Transport Safety, in order to study the future evolution of the system. Based on the report from the Council, MLIT revised the fundamental policy to implement the Transport Safety Management System in 2017. The main revisions were: prioritizing the Transport Safety Management Evaluation on chartered bus operators, promoting the development of safety management of small to medium-sized transport operators, and strengthening support for Chief Safety Management Officers of transport operators. Furthermore, it promoted support for transport operators to cope with the emerging challenges in recent transport sectors such as the shortages of drivers in transport industries, deteriorated transport infrastructures, serious damage to transport facilities from natural disasters and terrorist attacks as well as other issues and challenges. Strengthening safety measures is the top priority in all transport modes, and continuous and effective efforts by both the private and public sectors through the Transport Safety Management System are keys to establish safe and secure public transport systems.

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

Tokyo is Waiting for You < Back