The Japan Times2d ago
Tollgates on Japanese expressways are being replaced with those accepting only vehicles equipped with an electronic toll collection (ETC) system at an accelerated pace. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/06/japan/etc-only-expressway-gates-increase/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #expressways #driving #mlit
ETC-only expressway gates increasing as Japan ditches cash toll payments

The number of interchanges that do not allow toll payments with credit cards and cash is increasing as Japanese operators aim to complete the transition by fiscal 2030.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 21
The total length of sewer pipes in Japan that have been judged to require countermeasures due to risks such as cave-ins has reached 748 kilometers, the infrastructure ministry has said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/21/japan/sewer-pipes-risks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #mlit #sewage #surveys #yashio #saitama #localgovernment
Hundreds of kilometers of Japan's sewers classified as needing action

The infrastructure ministry will ask 383 municipalities and organizations managing the sewer pipes to take immediate measures.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMar 17
The average land price in Japan as of Jan. 1 rose 2.8% from a year earlier, up for the fifth straight year, the land ministry said Tuesday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/17/average-land-price-up/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #mlit #tokyo #tourism #boj #earthquakes #notopeninsula
Japan's average land price rises for fifth straight year

The average land price in Japan as of Jan. 1 rose 2.8% from a year earlier, up for the fifth straight year, the land ministry said Tuesday.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMar 10
Japan's government adopted on Tuesday a bill designed to eliminate areas underserved by transportation services such as buses and taxis, with measures including calling on municipalities to provide financial support. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/10/japan/society/transportation-lack-bill/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #mlit #buses
Japan adopts bill aiming to address regional gaps in public transport services

According to the transport ministry, there were about 2,000 areas lacking transportation nationwide as of April 2025.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 22
The transport ministry plans to cover half of the cost for domestic airlines and local governments managing airports to purchase snowplows and other snow removal equipment. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/22/japan/snowplow-airports-subsidy-plan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #mlit #snow #airports #ai #localgovernment
Japan to subsidize snowplow introduction at airports

The move is part of the ministry's efforts to ensure stable flight operations and prevent passengers from being stranded.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 19
Japan's transport ministry will provide incentives for logistics service providers to cooperate in the long-distance transportation of cargo, as part of its aims to advance work style reform for truck drivers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/19/japan/transportation-truck-drivers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #mlit #trucks #workstylereform
Distribution law in Japan to be revised to help long-distance truck drivers

The aim is to allow drivers to pass their cargo to other companies' trucks at warehouses along transportation routes, making it easier for them to return home within the day.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 12
The transport ministry plans to provide subsidies for measures designed to ease airport congestion caused by an increase in inbound tourists. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/12/japan/japan-subsidy-airport-congestion-ease/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #tourism #airports #mlit
Japan to subsidize measures to ease airport congestion

The transport ministry is considering subsidizing costs for expanding passenger walkways at airports and increasing baggage conveyor belts

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 11
Japan's transport ministry has completed notifications suspending a total of 3,333 delivery minivehicles at 1,862 post offices operated by Japan Post over improper driver roll calls. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/10/japan/japan-post-delivery-vehicles-halt/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #japanpost #mlit #driving #delivery #corporategovernance #postalservices
Japan Post ordered to halt 3,333 delivery vehicles

Japan Post has a total of some 32,000 delivery minivehicles at 3,188 post offices offering collection and delivery services across the country.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 3
The transportation ministry gave administrative guidance to JR East over recent problems, including service disruptions on its Yamanote and Joban lines. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/02/03/companies/jr-east-guidance-service-halts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #jreast #yamanoteline #jobanline #rail #mlit
JR East given administrative guidance over service halts

The company’s executive vice president and chief safety officer was summoned over recent issues such as disruptions on the Yamanote and Joban lines.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 3
The tourism ministry plans to strengthen financial support for town development efforts by municipalities that utilize historical tourism resources in fiscal 2026. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/02/japan/japan-tourism-subsidy-historical-resourcs/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #tourism #localgovernment #mlit
Japan to boost aid for town development using historical resources

The tourism ministry intends to provide subsidies to a wide range of municipal governments working on projects including renovating old buildings and preserving traditional events.

The Japan Times