Tag - mlit

 
Menu
Search
 
July 02, 2026
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

MLIT

Removing the limit on simultaneous drone use by one person is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters.
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2026
Japan lifts upper limit on drones operated by one pilot
Removing the limit is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters.
According to Japan's transport ministry, around 70,000 cases of roadkill occurred on state-managed roads in fiscal 2022.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2026
Japan to boost efforts to prevent roadkill
According to the ministry, around 70,000 cases of roadkill occurred on state-managed roads in fiscal 2022.
The transport ministry urged executives of infrastructure operators to play active roles in taking measures against cyberattacks and secure sufficient funding and personnel.
JAPAN
May 28, 2026
Government urges transport firms to guard against AI misuse
The instructions were made at a meeting with operators from six infrastructure sectors, also including ports, airports, logistics and water supply.
An expressway toll gate in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, that only accepts cars equipped with ETC systems
JAPAN
May 6, 2026
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.
About 748 kilometers of sewer pipes in Japan, roughly 16% of those inspected, have been found to require countermeasures due to risks such as cave-ins, prompting the infrastructure ministry to call for immediate repairs.
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2026
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.
Yamano Music's main store in the Ginza district of Tokyo’s Chuo Ward is the most expensive commercial land site in Japan, according to data released Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2026
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 government approved a bill on Tuesday to improve transportation in underserved areas by supporting shared-vehicle services and simplifying procedures for local providers.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 10, 2026
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.
Water coming from an underground artesian well through brass pipes
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 10, 2026
Government panel to compile groundwater report that includes users’ nationalities
In response to whether the panel might consider restricting foreign nationals’ access to groundwater, a land ministry official said discrimination was not the goal.
The age distribution of pilots in Japan is skewed toward those in their 50s and older, and the number of retirees is expected to increase sharply from around 2030.
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2026
Japan faces headwinds in efforts to boost share of female airline pilots
The government aims to raise the share of female pilots from only 2% as of 2024 to 10% by the end of 2035.
The transport ministry plans to cover half the cost of snowplows and other snow removal equipment for domestic airlines and local governments managing airports to prevent heavy snow-related flight disruptions.
JAPAN
Feb 22, 2026
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.
Trucks on a road near a shipping terminal in Yokohama. In 2024, the annual working hours of drivers of large trucks, who are mainly involved in long-distance cargo transportation, averaged 2,484 hours.
JAPAN
Feb 19, 2026
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.
Passengers will still be able to bring two power banks on flights, just not use them.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2026
Japan set to prohibit use of power banks on flights
Portable batteries have caught fire and emitted smoke on flights globally.
Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture is pictured crowded with inbound tourists in June 2025.
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2026
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
Japan Post has a total of some 32,000 delivery minivehicles at 3,188 post offices offering collection and delivery services across the country.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2026
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.
JR East Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Chiharu Watari speaks to reporters at the transport ministry on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 3, 2026
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 historical townscape in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, has been approved for tourism subsidies.
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2026
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.
A JR West shinkansen approaches Shin-Osaka station
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2026
Japan eyes higher leasing fees for shinkansen facilities
The transport ministry is looking to use the increased revenue for new new construction projects and renovations of aging infrastructure.
The government is asking municipalities to check the nationalities of residents of public housing to address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Japan begins survey over nationality of public housing residents
Identifying the dominant nationalities of foreign residents will help officials address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response, ministry officials said.
Foreign visitors from the combined countries of Europe, the U.S. and Australia were up 22% year on year.
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2026
Foreign visitors to Japan topped 40 million in 2025
Tourists, including droves from Asia and the U.S., continued to visit, as tensions with China failed to put a damper on the numbers.
Price increases for Tokyo taxis come amid a shortage of taxi drivers around the nation, which has been caused by the aging and retirement of drivers and a lack of people newly entering the industry.
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2026
Price hike eyed for Tokyo taxis
The transportation ministry plans to shorten the distance that passengers can ride taxis with the ¥500 base fare.
More facilities in Japan placing sanitary bins in men’s restrooms
A sanitary bin with an awareness sticker placed in a men's restroom in the Nagasaki Municipal Government building
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Reform panel calls for easing data center building standards
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized that the government will promote reforms of regulations and systems that fit the artificial intelligence era.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

New Logistics Consortium baton to accelerate trucking efficiency
New Logistics Consortium baton to accelerate trucking efficiency

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER