Hideaki Tsuchiya's small trucking firm in Tokyo's Meguro Ward faced a major headache earlier this year: Five of his 20 trucks did not meet new exhaust regulations that take effect in the metropolis Wednesday.
The 54-year-old owner of Juyugaoka Unso decided to replace two of the trucks with new models. He then decided to install devices to cut emissions of soot and other particulate matter on two freezer trucks, while opting to scrap a 4-ton truck that he bought 12 years ago.
The 4-ton truck can clear new regulations implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government if it is equipped with a soot filter -- but will have to be retired in just one year under separate rules being introduced by the national government.