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

Back to All JITTI Journals November 2020 Feature Article 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 Dear Friends of JITTI USA, My name is Kazuya Fukuhara. I have been appointed as a Senior Representative of JITTI USA since mid-July this year. I would like to thank you all for your continued understanding and support of JITTI USA's activities. Today, I would like to briefly introduce myself, and I hope this will help you to become familiar with and interested in JITTI USA's activities. Before arriving at JITTI USA, I worked for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). At the MLIT, I have worked on policy and regulatory development in a wide range of fields, including aviation, housing, roads, and maritime security. I was also seconded to the Tourism Division of Kyoto City Office for three years, where I planned strategies about inbound tourism and over-tourism measures. Most recently, I was assigned to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), where I was involved in policy compilation for the entire JCG and correspondence with the Diet. As the global security environment becomes increasingly severe, JCG is playing an increasingly important role in the security field. I was deeply involved in the discussions that set the direction for the future of the JCG, including the formulation of the policy for strengthening coast guard capabilities, taking into account the discussions on the National Security Strategy compiled at the end of last year. I myself am interested in international work and have been involved in policy formulation for infrastructure exports and other projects in the international department of MLIT, as well as having had the opportunity to study public policy at the University of Chicago. So, I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at JITTI USA. Although JITTI USA is a small organization, I am responsible for its overall management, as well as planning and coordinating events such as symposiums and conducting research in areas such as aviation. I am learning every day about the differences in overseas transportation systems that arise from background circumstances such as history, culture, geography, and religion in other countries, and I find it very interesting to work in this field. In my personal life, I currently live with my wife and three-year-old son. My wife and I have lived in Chicago before, but this is my son's first time living abroad. Sometimes it pains me to hear my son says that he wants to go back to Japan, but recently he has been saying this less and less, and he seems to be getting used to life here. The parks here have a wide variety of playground equipment, which my son likes very much, and it is becoming a habit for him to visit a new park every weekend. If you see us at the park, please feel free to contact us. Last but not least, I would very much appreciate your continued support for JITTI's activities. I would also be happy to exchange ideas and opinions with you personally and with everyone who reads this journal. Sincerely, Kazuya Fukuhara

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

Back to All JITTI Journals September 2023 Cultural Article Your next adventure in Japan: Ekichika By Tomomi Dodd This time I am going to write about Japanese “Ekichika.” “Eki” means stations, and “Chika” means underground in Japanese. So, “Ekichika” refers to the integration of shops and restaurants that spread across the basement of metro stations in Japan. Recently, development of Ekichika are astonishing in Japan and it is as if Ekichika are its own unique world. Though I currently work in Washington, D.C. and have traveled to multiple big cities overseas, I have never seen such dynamic Ekichika outside of Japan. Ekichika are becoming very important places for tourism, socialization and finding new trends and cultures. In this journal, I would like to introduce you to some of the Ekichika spots I can personally recommend to visit. Tokyo Yaechika (Tokyo Yaesu-Chikagai) Yaechika is located underground of Yaesu side in Tokyo station. It is directly connected to Tokyo Station. It contains about 180 shops, including approximately 60 different restaurants and cafes. There is a section called “Tokyo Ramen Street” which consists of 8 very competitive ramen shops. “Tokyo Character Street” consists of about 30 character shops including Pokemon and Studio Ghibli. I used to work near the Tokyo station, so I was often eating and dining at Yaechika. There are always new shops and you never get bored! (Image Source: tokyo ekichika yaesu - Bing images ) Inside of the Ekichika, there is a section called “TOKYO GASHAPON STREET.” GASHAPON is v ending machine dispenser of capsule toys. There are over 100 Gashapon vending machines located there. And you can find these machines in many places not only here but in other stations, shops, and restaurants throughout Japan. My nieces in Japan have been obsessed with these! (Image Source: gashapon - Bing images ) (Image Source GASHAPON sushi - Bing images ) Ikebukuro Another Ekichika spot I would like to talk about is Ikebukuro in Tokyo. There are over 700 shops and restaurants around Ikebukuro station. It is directly connected to multiple big department stores including Tobu Department store. Tobu Department store has food sections, and you can enjoy a variety of great delis! Ikebukuro is also one of the hot spots for good ramen restaurants! I myself strolled around in the station almost every day as my train transferred at Ikebukuro. I would hang around the book store at the Tobu department store and stop by my favorite bakery underground. If you spot the Ikefukurou statues while you are strolling the underground of Ikebukuro station, you have found good luck! They are a symbol of great fortune and are also a useful meeting spot for people. (Image Source: 55 things to do in Ikebukuro | Time Out Tokyo ) Ekichika are an excellent utilization of space and have a lot of great, unlimited possibilities. I am looking forward to seeing how Japanese Ekichika will be developing in the future. There could be Ekichika hotels, bath houses, and schools someday. I am sure you will find something unforgettable in Japanese Ekichika. References: Tokyo Ramen Street Official Guide ｜First Avenue Tokyo Station (tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp) First Avenue Tokyo Station (tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp) Yaechika | Yaechika Shopping Mall

Back to All JITTI Journals March 2021 Feature Article Legislation Amending the Japanese Civil Aeronautics Act to Implement Small UAS’s BVLOS Operations Over People by Yoshihiro Fujimaki 1. Background and Overview The bill to amend the Japanese Civil Aeronautics Act, which will allow for a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) over people, was submitted to the National Diet of Japan on March 9th, 2021. At present, in cases when someone in Japan would like to operate sUAS beyond visual line of sight, he/she must get individual approval for that operation. In addition, operations flown over people (third parties) are prohibited. On the other hand, in 2017, Japanese industries and the government collaboratively developed the “Roadmap for the Aerial Industrial Revolution,” which was intended to develop technology and improve the overall environment for safe utilization of sUAS. This roadmap has been revised each year, and in the latest version, the target date of implementing BVLOS operations over people was set for FY 2022 (by March 2023). Based on this roadmap, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has been studying necessary regulatory changes for implementing such operations, and submitted the bill to amend the Japanese Civil Aeronautics Act to the Diet. This bill also aims to make the current regulatory framework more efficient. For these purposes, the bill includes two new regulatory content, a sUAS type certification / airworthiness certification and a sUAS pilot license. 2. sUAS Type Certification / Airworthiness Certification In the Japanese Aeronautics Act, manned aircraft and sUAS are clearly distinguished, and currently there is no regulation regarding type certification / airworthiness certification for sUAS. The bill will establish such certification. There will be two classes of the sUAS type certificate / airworthiness certificate: 1st class and 2nd class. For operations which will be flown over people (third parties), which are currently prohibited by the law, sUAS will be required to have a 1st class sUAS airworthiness certificate (and a 1st class sUAS pilot license). For operations which will not be flown over people, sUAS will still be able to be flown based on individual approval for each flight, and will not be required to have any class of airworthiness certificate. However, in the case that someone would like to perform a BVLOS operation that does not fly over people, he/she will not need to get individual approval IF the sUAS has either class of the sUAS airworthiness certificate AND the pilot has either class of the sUAS pilot license, which is described in next section. The relationship between sUAS type certification and sUAS airworthiness certification is the same as that for manned aircraft; a sUAS manufacturer will apply for a sUAS type certification for a type of sUAS, and once it is certified, sUAS airworthiness certification inspections that are typically needed for every sUAS will be partially or totally omitted for that type. The above figure is reprinted and translated from the interim report published by JCAB on March 8th, 2021 ( https://www.mlit.go.jp/policy/shingikai/kouku01_sg_000288.html ) 3. sUAS Pilot License In addition to sUAS type certification / airworthiness certification, currently there is no regulation regarding sUAS pilot licenses, and so the bill will establish two classes: 1st class and 2nd class. If a pilot plans to operate sUAS over people (third parties), a 1st class sUAS pilot license will be required. If he/she does not plan to operate sUAS over people, the sUAS pilot license will not be mandatory. However, as described in the previous section, in the case that someone would like to perform a BVLOS operation, but not over people, he/she will not need to get individual approval IF the sUAS has either class of the sUAS airworthiness certificate AND the pilot has either class of the sUAS pilot license. Also, the bill will approve private training organizations for sUAS pilots. Once a pilot has completed a course at an approved training organization, the test for the sUAS pilot license will be partially or totally omitted. In addition, he/she must take a course at an approved training organization every three years for license renewal. The above figure is reprinted and translated from the interim report published by JCAB on March 8th, 2021 ( https://www.mlit.go.jp/policy/shingikai/kouku01_sg_000288).html ) 4. Effects From Its Implementation In FY 2019 (from April 2019 to March 2020), the number of sUAS operation approval applications submitted was 48,364, and the breakdown of approvals is shown in the next figure. (Please note that one application may include several approval items.) Most approvals are related to night operations, BVLOS operations, operations near people or buildings, and operations in densely populated areas. For these operations, individual approval will not be necessary IF the sUAS has a sUAS airworthiness certificate AND the pilot has a sUAS pilot license. The above table details information from material that JCAB submitted to the council on Nov. 19, 2020 ( https://www.mlit.go.jp/policy/shingikai/kouku01_sg_000281.html ) On the other hand, some sUAS operations, such as those conducting around airports, flying above 150m altitude, transporting hazardous material, etc., will remain subject to individual approval. Operations by the sUAS which weigh over 25kg will also remain subject to individual approval.

Back to All JITTI Journals September 2020 Feature Article How Has COVID 19 Affected Transportation in Japan? An Introduction of Japanese Statistics by Shuntaro Okimoto The impact of COVID 19 on the transportation and tourism sectors is significant, and no one knows when the pandemic will end. I live near Washington, DC, so I feel the impact on this region every day. On the other hand, how has my home country of Japan, on the other side of the globe, been affected? The virus, which has caused us suffering, is the same around the world, and Japan, like the United States, also has modern and functional transportation modes, such as railroads, airplanes, and cars. Is the impact on transportation in Japan similar to that in the United States? Or instead, has the coronavirus impacted the transportation sector differently between the United States, which has a vast continent, and Japan, which is a small island country surrounded by the sea? By introducing the latest statistics issued by the Japanese government, I would like to give you a chance to ponder this topic. All Japanese data used in this document was provided by the Japanese government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/joho03_hh_000139.html (in Japanese only) I browsed the following pages to find US data: “Monthly Transportation Statistics” (Bureau of Transportation Statistics) https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Monthly-Transportation-Statistics/m9eb-yevh 1. Rail Passengers The number of rail passengers has decreased since March, and in April and May it was 54% of the number from the same month the previous year. It recovered slightly in June, reaching 70% of last year’s number. According to the Passenger km, which is data obtained by multiplying the number of passengers to the distance traveled (shown by the orange line in the graph above), the drop is larger than the data for the number of passengers (shown by the blue line). This is because the number of passengers traveling long-distances is significantly decreasing. Passengers on the high-speed railway in Japan, called the Shinkansen, have recovered only to 20% in July, and the latest release by the railway company suggests that this trend will continue at least until August. This data is shocking. As you may be aware if you are familiar with Japan, the Japanese love taking the train very much. In urban areas, such as Tokyo, there are extremely convenient urban railroads and subways, and many businessmen working in Tokyo commute by rail every weekday. Also, during long weekends, they go far away using the Shinkansen that connects cities. If you visit Japan, you will probably ride several trains. The reason why passengers disappeared from trains, which have a strong presence in Japan's domestic transportation system, is that the government issued a state of emergency on April 7th, which restricted commuting to offices and restrained people from traveling for holidays. (Currently, the state of emergency has been lifted.) Japan's leading railroad companies (many of which are completely private companies) announced their financial results for the April-June quarter in mid-August, but all the companies were in the red. In the United States, the number of intercity rail passengers has almost disappeared since the latter half of March, and in June it recovered to only about 7% of the same month last year. Urban rail passengers fell to 10% year-on-year in April, but then recovered to 24%. Passenger growth has recovered faster in Japan, probably because of the difference in the presence of railways. 2. Air Passengers Air passenger numbers on Japanese carriers were at their worst in May, and have started to get a little better since then. Domestic passengers in June have recovered to 20% year-on-year, and this recovery trend is expected to continue. On the other hand, attracting international passengers continues to be in a difficult due to continued immigration restrictions and self-isolation by countries around the world. In the United States, domestic flights in June accounted for 22% year-on-year, and international flights in the same month accounted for about 5%. The recovery of US and Japanese air passengers is about the same. Japanese air carriers are facing a very difficult situation, just as air carriers in other countries are. Although they secure cash through frequent borrowing, there is currently no direct government support for air carriers, such as the subsidies found under the US CARES Act. Regarding, the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on air passengers, I wrote another report in April with more detailed information. If you are interested in reading it, you can access it from the link below. https://af934965-c8f7-4701-9b19-735ce5bd25c9.filesusr.com/ugd/af054c_8405014ca6394fa5809f0a666fbcb3b6.pdf 3. Buses and Taxes This is passenger data for buses and taxis in Tokyo. The number of passengers riding taxis decreased sharply until May. It can be said that it is currently on a recovery trend, rising to 50% year-on-year in June. The number of passengers riding fixed-route buses in July in the United States was about 50% compared to the same month of the previous year, and the recovery is slower than in Japan, which has numbers of over 70%. 4. Logistics The impact on logistics is different from that of passengers. The effect of the pandemic on domestic logistics is small, and it has instead invigorated some logistic industries. The increase in door-to-door package transportation is thought to be due to the increase in the use of online shopping during the pandemic. Less-than-truckload freight shipping (LTL) is used for the transportation of small freight, or when a freight doesn’t require the use of an entire trailer. Looking at the impact of trucks on logistic transportation from the perspective of LTL and general motor trucks, there has not been much of a negative effect. The impact on logistics for other modes has also been small compared than that for passengers. The decrease in air cargo is thought to be due to the decline in passenger flights. In the US, the impact on logistics and passenger transportation is the same. What is noteworthy about US freight transport is that air cargo in June exceeded last year's levels both domestically and internationally. For domestic flights, it has been more than 10% higher than last year since April. 5. Travel Agencies The Japanese government has been focusing on policies to attract foreign visitors to Japan. However, from March to July, foreign visitors have almost disappeared to about 0.1% year-on-year. In addition, domestic tourism has declined since March in Japan. As a result, travel agencies are in great trouble. To improve this situation, the Japanese government started a policy of subsidizing domestic private travel in July. Some people are concerned about the spread of infection by this measure, but the positive effects of increasing the number of people traveling domestically has begun to appear. In the third week of September, which is when I am writing this article, Japan has four holidays, and some reports suggest that the most people have enjoyed traveling at this time than since the pandemic began. I discovered that Japan and the United States, whose lands are completely different in size and shape, have been similarly affected by the pandemic. Especially in the field of transportation, even if the movement of people has extremely reduced, the movement of goods has not reduced very much, or may have even been partially invigorated. The traffic modes in both countries will remain changing their operation even in the new normal. We will continue to monitor the impact of pandemics on transportation in Japan and the United States. If you have any questions about the current state of transportation and tourism in Japan, please feel free to contact us.

Back to All JITTI Journals July 2019 Feature Article Value Capture Session Overview by Mamiko Kim A few weeks ago, on June 26 th , JITI held a joint session with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) titled “Revenue Opportunities from Value Capture” as part of APTA’s 2019 Rail Conference. In the early 2010s, JITI held programs in Chicago and California. However, this was the first JITI event held in Canada since its inception. Due to the distance from our home base in Washington, DC, and the fact that our regular audience members may not have gotten a chance to attend this session, I hope to relate more details about this event’s subject and the discussion that took place to our readership. We had speakers from Japan and North America, which diversified the experiences shared For those unfamiliar with the term “value capture,” particularly in regards to rail, it refers to instances where rail companies are able to create capital through infrastructure and land investments above and around stations and rail lines. These investments create revenue opportunities as people are enticed to shop and spend money in these locations, and in turn increase ridership to and from stations. We had presentations by Yuji Murakami of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Kantaro Yamaguchi of the Tokyu Corporation (Tokyu) who both shared illustrations of success stories in Japan where consistent cash flow came into their organizations by utilizing value capture. It is important to note that most rail systems in Japan are operated by private companies, and do not receive financial assistance from governments. In fact, these private companies own real estate and businesses that are separate from the rail sector (such as shopping centers as opposed to station properties), and the rail system is sustained by both ridership and money pulled from these businesses and real estate owned by the company. There are particular challenges in the US and Canada to utilize value capture due to the fact that most rail systems are operated by the public sector, and thus construction and operation are usually funded by state, local, and federal governments. This in turn means that there is more restriction on the type of development that rail systems are able to make, with much of the revenue from real estate around stations being pulled into private businesses rather than returning to the rail system. Heather McKillop of the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Kevin Desmond of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (Translink) presented their own successful models of how they are able to combat these challenges. This included Denver’s achievement of partnership and collaboration with multiple players in order to accumulate some 14 different funding sources to revitalize the Denver Union Station, which they did with such success that they were able to pay off all loans 21 years early. Mr. Desmond described how they have levied property taxes on real estate around stations, doubled property values through pre-development work before disposition, through commercial partnerships, and how they will begin imposing development cost charges in 2020 as another way to fund stations. Panelists consisted of leaders in organizations with success in value capture There were two main discussion points that the moderator, Sasha Page of IMG Rebel, introduced to the panel discussion. The first question was how rail companies are able to manage real estate risk. Mr. Murakami explained that JR East’s goal is to add value to the areas around the station as well as to run trains smoothly in those areas. This could mean that they find areas of interest to work with. For example, there is a famous temple in Nagano. By creating a rail line to this temple, it gives people an attractive option to get there. This intrinsically benefits the rail line and the area around it. Mr. Yamaguchi, acknowledging that their goals are similar to that of JR East, added that with changes in the real estate market due to gentrification and an aging population, Tokyu is working with municipal governments to try to minimalize risk. In Denver’s case, Ms. McKillop elaborated that to mitigate risk, Denver took out a large credit risk premium. Now that there has been a precedent set, she believes that it will be easier to work with the US Department of Transportation in the future. Finally, Mr. Desmond explained that at Translink they have a revolving land account, where they buy and sell land for strategic acquisition. As introduced earlier, they have begun doing pre-development of the land to increase land value before the sale. In the future they are looking into doing more joint developments as well, which carries less risk than creating developments alone. In addition, Mr. Page asked each of the panelists on how their organizations deal with the affordable housing issue. Gentrification, which we are also familiar with in the DC Metro area, is especially a problem around rail stations as it pushes out the very residents who need public transportation the most. Mr. Desmond relayed that this was particularly an issue in 2017 in the Vancouver area, as not only were middle- and lower-income buyers priced out of real estate, but there was a lack of rental properties being built around rail. Since then, municipalities have been working to resolve this problem. He emphasized that policies need to begin at the municipal level. Translink, as they begin joint development ventures, are looking to make sure that areas they control have affordable housing. Ms. McKilllop echoed Mr. Desmond’s points, as she noted that land-use decisions are made by municipalities. She spoke of the power of rail companies to negotiate with municipalities, such as a recent example of an affordable housing unit next to a station which was unable to build due to parking requirements from the city. RTD was able to negotiate for limiting the number of parking the housing unit needed as both RTD and the city of Denver hoped to encourage people to use public transit. The situation in Japan is rather different. Mr. Yamaguchi revealed that like the United States and Canada, land use is determined by municipalities. However, Mr. Murakami explained that in Japan there are strong social programs that protect individuals in middle- and lower-income brackets. In fact, because municipalities have successfully made these efforts, JR East has never been asked to include affordable housing in their developments. Mr. Yamaguchi said that Tokyu does do work to help renovate older properties along their rail lines, which attracts younger people, single mothers, and the elderly. They also expand their bus services so that those who live farther away have access to the stations. The speakers of our session stood together for a group shot The discussion continued with questions from the audience, which I will not cover here. However, I do encourage you to view the full videos or to listen to the audio we have on our website. I hope this report gives the readers a taste of the session, which covers much more information than written here. The major takeaway was that each of the rail systems represented strives to be the world’s best, but there are unique challenges that impact them differently. However, all of the speakers spoke of their common goals to commit to best practices, to build and maintain efficient, convenient, and reliable rail systems, and to sustain these activities through sound business methods, such as value capture discussed in this event. This joint session may not have covered or resolved every issue that rail companies face as they seek to utilize value capture, but we believe that it is one step towards opening up a discussion so that all may benefit internationally. We will continue to follow this topic closely in the future, and hope that you can join us in our next event.

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

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Back to All JITTI Journals November 2019 Cultural Article Resort Island –Miyakojima– by Daisuke Miyamoto Imagine, you are on a beach with your legs ankle-deep in the sun-kissed waves. A turquoise ocean faces you, and as each turn of the waves rushes over your feet, you sink a little further down into the warm earth. The water has smoothed out all the wrinkles that had once been pressed across the sand, along with those stressors that you’ve now forgotten. A breeze picks up, and you inhale again, and exhale that salty, summer air. Except, it’s not really summer at all- at least not where you’re from. It’s October, and you are in Okinawa, Japan. The view of the ocean from Miyakojima Island, an island in Okinawa Prefecture. Off in the distance, you can see Irabu-ohashi Bridge. It goes without saying that Okinawa is the one of the most famous resort island chains in the world. Known for its pristine beaches and a tropical atmosphere not seen elsewhere in Japan, nearly 10 million travelers were enticed to visit in 2018, including 3 million foreign tourists. The final tally for 2019 is expected to top those records. Transport initiatives have also made a difference in Okinawa’s greater popularity. Airlines have been increasing routes to Okinawa, and the governor of Okinawa has promised to collaborate with private companies to simplify the transit system in order for visitors to spend an even more stress-free trip. These efforts have established Okinawa as a hot spot of Japan, making it one of the country’s greatest tourist destinations. Sunset on Sunayama beach, a secluded beach on Miyakojima island. The interest and hype, of course, are well deserved. Miyakojima, one of the islands in Okinawa prefecture, is said to have the most beautiful sea around the Orient. Not only can you enjoy it’s clear and gradient blue waters while spending time at the beach, but a drive over the Irabu-ohashi Bridge ensures a joy ride in what feels like a flight over the ocean. What is more, Miyakojima belongs to the same subtropical zone as the rest of Okinawa, which means that we can enjoy swimming in the sea from April to October. Now that the weather has grown colder, why don’t you make a trip to Miyakojima, and the rest of Okinawa? It is certain that you will have a great time there.