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.

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While the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) has been touted in Europe for the last few years, the Department of Transportation's Mobility on Demand (MOD) is gaining traction in the United States. Read more on trends of MOD as more user-friendly and comprehensive services are expected out of public transportation networks. < Back Surface Transportation A Report on Trends of Mobility on Demand in the United States (Part 1) By Daisuke Miyamoto While the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) has been touted in Europe for the last few years, the Department of Transportation's Mobility on Demand (MOD) is gaining traction in the United States. Read more on trends of MOD as more user-friendly and comprehensive services are expected out of public transportation networks. Download the Report

Japan's Policy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Japan's Policy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Shinichi Yamada 1. INTRODUCTION  Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), such as drones, are used in various fields including aerial photography, pesticide dispersion, and inspection of infrastructure, and they are expected to be utilized even more in the future. On the other hand, concern about operational safety has been rising. This article introduces efforts and policies that have been implemented to ensure the safe operation of UAS in Japan. 2. CURRENT REGULATION The Civil Aeronautics Law (CAL) defines “UAS” as any airplane, rotorcraft, glider or airship which cannot accommodate any person on board and can be remotely or automatically piloted (excluding those lighter than 200 grams (about 0.44 pounds). The weight of a UAS includes that of its battery.). It requires any person who intends to operate a UAŞ in the following airspaces to obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan to ensure the safety of manned aircraft and persons and/or properties on the surface of the ground or water. Airspace that is over 150 meters (about 490 feet) above the surface of ground or water. Airspace around airports. (Specifically, airspaces above the approach, horizontal, transitional, extended approach, conical, and outer horizontal surfaces) Airspace above Densely Inhabited Districts (DID) defined and published by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. (Those areas where population density is larger than 4,000 people per square kilometer (about 10,360 people per square mile) are defined as DID in general.) The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in various fields has grown, including in agriculture and pesticide distribution. It also requires all of the UAS operators to follow the operational conditions listed below, unless approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. Operation of UAS are to be in the daytime. Operation of UAS must only be conducted within Visual Lines of Sight (VLOS). 30 meters (about 98 feet) of operational distance between UA and persons and properties on the surface of the ground or water must be maintained. Do not operate UAS over event sites where many people gather. Do not transport hazardous materials such as explosives by UAS. Do not drop any objects from UAS  In addition to the CAL, legislation has also been put in place to prevent dangerous UAS from approaching important facilities in the country by air. An aerial photo by UAS of this concert would not be permissible in Japan, as they are not allowed to be flown at night or over places where people gather. 3. POLICY FOR THE EXPANDED OPERATION OF UAS The Japanese government has created a roadmap and made efforts to expand the use of UAS in public-private partnerships. According to the roadmap, the goal is to operate UAS beyond VLOS in uninhabited areas, such as remote islands and mountainous areas, by FY 2022, and later to operate UAS beyond VLOS in DID. There are various issues to consider to bring about such flights. Therefore, the following four working groups have been established, and many stakeholders, including government, industry, and academia, are involved. WG1: UAS/Owner Registration WG2: Ensuring UAS Safety WG3: Skill Assurances of Remote Pilots and Flight Dispatchers WG4: UAS Traffic Management System (UTMS) As part of these efforts, an amendment of CAL will be submitted to the regular Diet in 2020 that requires the registration of UAS in FY 2021. Under the new system, information such as the names of owners, users, aircrafts, phone numbers, etc. must be registered online. When registration is completed, UAS IDs can be acquired, and the UAS ID has to be marked on the UAS itself. Any unregistered flight will be fined. The policy for UAS requires that regulatory studies by the government and technology development by manufacturers and academic institutions be carried out simultaneously. While looking to US and European UAS systems as models, it is expected that regulations will be expanded to enable further use of UAS in Japan. Back to All JITTI Journals January 2020 Feature Article

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JITTI Journal Cultural Article May 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2020 Cultural Article Photo Credit: E! News It’s Gonna Be May… and 5 Little-Known Facts about the Japanese Music Industry by Mamiko Kim Have you seen this joke before? A friend may have posted on social media the above meme of Justin Timberlake with the popular misheard lyric, “It’s Gonna Be May,” reminding you that April is ending, and it’s going to be… well, you get the picture. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the original lyric comes from the NSYNC song “It’s Gonna Be Me.” In the late 1990s to early 2000s, NYSNC was one of the biggest US musical groups, receiving 8 Grammy nominations, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and even performing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. From that group, the biggest break-out star is easily Justin Timberlake, who has won 10 Grammys, continues to top music charts, and is consistently listed in magazines’ best-of lists, including in 2018 when Billboard critics argued that he was “the Best Male Pop Star of the 21st century.” It was a surprise to me when speaking with a few of my Japanese colleagues, then, that they didn’t know who Justin Timberlake was. I played some of his more popular songs for them to listen to, but they hadn’t heard them before. They hadn’t even heard of NSYNC (though one colleague knew Backstreet Boys, ending the long-standing debate, I suppose, of which group is better. My middle school self would have been pleased). This conversation peaked my interest in the Japanese music industry, and highlighted to me how little I knew, despite having lived there for several years. I wondered, what music is popular in Japan? What is Japanese music consumption like in general? From my digging, here are my top 5 little-known facts about the Japanese Music Industry. Justin Timberlake's 2016 music video, "Can't Stop This Feeling," has over 1.2 billion views on Youtube. 1. Japan is the Second Largest Music Industry in the World The growth of concerts and live-shows has helped propel Japan to become the second largest music industry in the world, after the United States. 2018 saw 48 million concert goers, a 25% increase over five years, and 345 billion yen ($3.15 billion) in sales, a 49% increase during that same time. (1) Concerts are particularly important, not only for being a source of revenue, but also because it appears that Japanese fans especially value making a personal connection to the artist rather than simply consuming their music. Top-billing Japanese girl group AKB 48, for example, holds near-daily concerts in their personal theater, and were specifically founded as idols you can meet. (2) This demand for more face-time with artists also explains why Western artists may have greater difficulty breaching the Japanese market than they did before. Johnny Thompson, a former employee of Warner Music Japan and currently general manager of the international division of Japanese music publisher Nichion, explains, “When I got into the business 25 years ago, the split was about 80-20 [Japanese to Western artists in the Japanese music market]. Now, I think it’s 90-10.” (3) Western artists who have a following in Japan have labels who have pushed for their presence there. This reveals why, Carly Rae Jepson, for example, has greater music sales in Japan after amassing fans from concerts, than Adele, who has comparatively dismal music sales in Japan (3), despite being listed as the number 1 best-selling artist of the 2010s worldwide. (4) Meanwhile, in addition to the advantage of a common language and relatability, Japanese artists continue to gain greater air time and notoriety as they do the on-the-ground work of amassing fans in their home country. Results of an in-office poll asking if they knew the artists. Listed from top to bottom are the worldwide best-selling artists over the last decade, according to ChartMasters.com (#1 Adele- #10 Eminem) 2. CDs are the King of Music Sales When was the last time you bought a CD? Or better yet, when was the last time you rented one? You may be surprised to learn that CDs account for nearly 70% of music sales in Japan. (1) Meanwhile, 18% are digital sales, and only 5% of music revenue is from streaming. (5) In comparison, only 9% of music sales in the U.S. were from CDs, with 88% from digital sales and 75% of the music industry revenue coming from streaming alone. (6) One reason for this may partially be due to the fact that CD prices in Japan are protected under law, and until very recently there was resistance to streaming as it was seen as direct competition to CDs. Prices are printed directly onto packaging to prevent discounting, and an average CD costs about $17, (5) compared to averages of $13 in the US. (7) Thus, less CDs need to be sold in order to make comparable profit elsewhere. In addition, slowing the growth of digital sales is the presence of over 2,000 CD and DVD rental stores in Japan, where for under $3 you can rent a CD (and inevitably have individuals discreetly ripping songs for much cheaper than actually buying the product) (5).  However, while pirating is a concern, CDs remain a popular medium because of the ways in which artists use them to market and interact with fans. Artists release multiple varieties of their singles and albums as collectors’ items. CDs can include different album covers, trading cards of group members’ pictures, tickets for meet-and-greets and other events, and a slot into voting for annual member election contests (one vote per CD serial number). Thus, it is common for many die-hard fans to buy hundreds of copies of the same CD to attain the full set of items, and also to try to push for their favorite band member to get more publicity and visibility through the election (those who win the election are featured in a song and music video, and are the fore-runner for the following year at promotional events). (5) With the legal system on its side and the benefit of fan interaction, CDs are likely to continue to be the most popular music medium in Japan in the near future. "Happiness" by Arashi is the author's favorite song by the band. 3. Arashi’s Album was the Top Global Seller in 2019 In January of 2019, Arashi, a popular Japanese 5-member boy band, announced that they would be going on hiatus at the end of 2020 after being active for 20 years. Johnny & Associates, known for being Japan’s most prominent producer of iconic boy-band musical acts, debuted Arashi, or “storm” in Japanese, as a band that would “create a storm throughout the world.” (8) They may very well have, for they gained a following not only for their songs, but also for the dominating roles of its members in film (including Clint Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima”), television dramas, game shows, and music programs. Fans were heart-broken at the announcement of the end of their activities. As a farewell, Arashi completed a whirlwind Asia press conference tour, and released “5x20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019,” which compiled their best hits. Selling at 3.3 billion global units, it beat out sales of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” album in second place, and BTS’s “MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA,” which came in third in 2019. (9) Kenshi Yonezu's performance at Kohaku Uta Gassen of his hit-song "Lemon." The song begins at 1 minute 18 seconds. It was the first time a performance for the program was filmed in Tokushima, where the singer is from. 4. “Lemon” is the First Song to be #1 on a Billboard Chart for Two Years in a Row Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon” made history in 2019 when it hit #1 on Billboard Japan’s Year-End charts for the second year in a row. This was the first time that a song was #1 for more than one year on any countries’ Billboard chart. The melancholy song about love-gone-wrong, with a memorable lyric of one’s heart being embedded with the bitterness of lemons, remained in the top ten songs in 2018 for 10 months straight after its release. (10) Then, in December, the first month that its popularity seemed to be fading, Kenshi Yonezu appeared on Kohaku Uta Gassen , a prominent music program that many Japanese watch as part of their celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Yonezu’s enthralling performance reignited interest in the song, and kept it at the top of charts throughout the majority of the following year. (11) While “Lemon” will likely not make the same headlines in 2020, it will surely remain a beloved song for quite some time. This video of Yo Hitoto's "Hanamizuki" translates her lyrics into English. The song is a karaoke favorite in Japan. 5. The Top Karaoke Song during the Heisei Era is “Hanamizuki” It would be remiss for any list on music in Japan to not mention karaoke. Known in the United States as rowdy, crowd-pleasing entertainment at bars, karaoke in Japan is a common family-friendly activity. Not only is it often used as a team-building exercise among colleagues after work, but it is not unusual for families to have their own karaoke machines at home. In fact, karaoke is so dominantly a part of life that music programs on TV consistently have the lyrics of songs on screen for people to be able to follow along. (The video of Yonezu on Kohaku Uta Gassen above is one example). Meanwhile, it is unheard of to see lyrics displayed on U.S. music programs. I cannot think of a time when “The Voice” or “American Idol” showed lyrics, despite being perfect formats to allow it. In fact, including the option to sing along is seen as a smart-marketing strategy in Japan. Swedish streaming service, Spotify, after years of struggling to gain a foothold there, finally launched in 2016. One of its premier features is a new karaoke style streaming system, which is only available on its Japanese platform. (12) So, what is the most-sung karaoke song? During the Heisei Era (1989-2019) it was “Hanamizuki” by Yo Hitoto. (13) This hopeful song about following dreams and wishing the happiness of others was released in 2004, and was written in part as a message of peace after the September 11, 2001 attacks. (14) During this particular time of stress and unknown futures, it seems an especially fitting song to take to heart. While you are at home today, whether alone or with family, why not listen to some Japanese music, or even sing some karaoke to uplift your spirits? I guarantee that you will find something you like. JITTI Staff recommends of songs to sing at karaoke! Karaoke Pro Tip: Stay hydrated and keep a glass of water nearby You can listen to the staff picks in this music playlist. Enjoy! References: Imahashi, R. (2020, January 16). Japan's music industry rises again in new 'age of discovery'. Retrieved from https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-music-industry-rises-again-in-new-age-of-discovery Akimoto, Y. (2009, July 28). Japanese Idol Group AKB48 to Perform at MIPCOM. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20121112144223/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/28/idUS219130+28-Jul-2009+BW20090728 Brasor, P. (2017, January 28). Big in Japan? Overseas artists may find it more difficult to draw a crowd. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/01/28/music/big-japan-artists-abroad-may-find-difficult-draw-crowd/ MJD. (2020, January 02). Bestselling artists of the 2010s. Retrieved from https://chartmasters.org/2020/01/best-selling-artists-of-the-2010s/ Vido, R. (2017, July 05). Why is the music industry in Japan so strong?: Scandinavian Traveler. Retrieved from https://scandinaviantraveler.com/en/lifestyle/why-is-the-music-industry-in-japan-so-strong RIAA. Facts Archive. Retrieved from https://www.riaa.com/facts/ Cohen, W. (2018, June 25). CD Prices on the Rise Again. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cd-prices-on-the-rise-again-232601/ Michel, P. (2019, January 29). Arashi's hiatus spurs heartbreak, but hopes for a 2020 Olympic farewell. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/01/29/music/arashis-hiatus-spurs-heartbreak-hopes-2020-olympic-farewell/ Billboard. (2020, March 19). IFPI's Best-Selling Album of 2019 Announced. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9338380/ifpi-best-selling-albums-list-2019 Japan, B. (2018, December 12). Kenshi Yonezu Talks 'Lemon' Topping Billboard Japan's 2018 Year-End Chart: Interview. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8489884/kenshi-yonezu-lemon-billboard-japan-2018-year-end-chart-interview Japan, B. (2019, December 16). Kenshi Yonezu's 'Lemon' Logs Historic Second Year at No. 1 on Billboard Japan's 2019 Year-End Charts. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8545534/kenshi-yonezu-lemon-Arashi-greatest-hits-album-Billboard-Japan-2019-Year-End-Charts AFP. (2016, September 29). Spotify launches new karaoke style streaming in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.se/20160929/spotify-launches-new-karaoke-style-streaming-in-japan SBS PopAsia. (2018, December 03). Japan's top 50 karaoke songs from the last 24 years. Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2018/12/03/japans-top-50-karaoke-songs-last-24-years 一青窈の代表曲「ハナミズキ」の歌詞の意味を紐解く - 音楽メディアOTOKAKE（オトカケ）. (2017, March 21). Retrieved from https://otokake.com/matome/ZHD46W

JITTI Journal July 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2025 Feature Article 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

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As the coronavirus continues to impact air travel on a global scale, airline passenger data reflects how individual countries have responded to the pandemic. Read how the United States and Japan have fared. < Back Civil Aviation The Impact on Airline Passengers Due to the Spread of Infection of the Novel Coronavirus (Statistics from Japan and the United States) By Shuntaro Okimoto As the coronavirus continues to impact air travel on a global scale, airline passenger data reflects how individual countries have responded to the pandemic. Read how the United States and Japan have fared. 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

The JITTI Journal is a bimonthly publication of the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA (JITTI USA), in which JITTI USA shares information on transport and tourism developments in Japan and elsewhere, as well as recent JITTI USA programs. As a supplement to our regular events, we hope that the Journal likewise serves as a resource for the transport and tourism communities. JITTI Journal Filter by Year Reset November 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Graduate Course Specifically Focused on Coast Guard Studies Cultural Article: My Japanese Shinto-Style Wedding September 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Regional Revitalization Centered on Airports: Initiatives at Japanese Airports Cultural Article: 110, 119 and Ten Other Speed Dials July 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Amendment of Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act in Response to the Haneda Airport Runway Collision Cultural Article: Japanese Horror: A Look Through Time of Heart-racing Films May 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Status of Automated Driving on Subways Cultural Article: Hotaru Matsuri March 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Tourism in Japan: A look at the Numbers from 2024 and the Outlook for 2025 Cultural Article: School Ceremonies for Japanese Kids in Spring January 2025 Main Page: Read More Feature Article: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Cultural Article: My Favorite Old Town, Kawagoe 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9 Pre-2018 Journals