JR East and Tokyo Metro to debut special IC cards aimed at tourists
From Sunday, visitors to Japan will be able to go cashless while traveling across the country, with major rail operators set to release new rechargeable prepaid transportation IC cards for tourists. The Welcome Suica cards, to be offered by East Japan Railway Co., or JR ...
Tokyo traffic reduction falls far short of target in 2020 Games test
Last week’s test to control traffic volume on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway during the 2020 Olympic Games achieved a reduction far smaller than the targeted 30 percent, the land ministry says.
Tokyo conducts congestion simulation to gauge possible Olympic traffic
The full-day test involving major highways around the capital started at midnight and was aimed at finding ways to reduce traffic by 30 percent during the games.
Pedestrian first-graders eight times more likely to be killed in traffic accidents than older peers
First-grade students were found to have been eight times more likely to be killed in traffic accidents while walking than sixth-graders in the years from 2013-2017, according to a National Police Agency report issued Thursday. Of 84 elementary school children who were killed in traffic ...
Sunday's Tokyo Marathon will cause road closures, officials warn
Tokyo residents and visitors to the capital will face road closures starting early Sunday morning due to the 12th annual Tokyo Marathon. The Tokyo Marathon Foundation, the event's organizer, said 36,000 people will take part. The runners will depart from a plaza in front of the ...
'Congestion pricing' eyed to ease traffic in top tourist spots
The transport ministry plans to test "congestion pricing" in four municipalities with major tourist attractions, including Kyoto and Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The plan was presented to a panel on Thursday, with tests slated to begin this fall in Kamakura, Kobe and Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. No ...
Tokyo weighs staggered shifts, teleworking in bid to curb traffic congestion in 2020 Olympics
The government began studying ways Thursday to curb traffic congestion during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, including promoting staggered work hours and teleworking. At its first meeting to promote the smooth flow of traffic during the international sporting event, participants including games organizing committee ...
Waiting for a traffic signal to change at an intersection in Japan
"This intersection is really confusing. How do we know when we can cross?"
Marukawa says Tokyo must solve traffic issue before 2020 Games
Tamayo Marukawa, Japan's newly-appointed Olympic minister, told the media on Friday one of the biggest concerns she has about hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo is the heavy traffic in the capital, which could cause transportation issues for athletes and fans. Marukawa, ...
Shibuya might close streets to cars on weekends again
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward said Friday it may resume its old custom of closing two main streets to cars on weekends in hopes of invigorating the area in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in 2020. "Bringing back pedestrian-only streets would greatly help Shibuya's goal of ...
