Gunma's MaaS: A Step Towards Sustainable Public Transport

Feb 19, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - In an effort to move away from car-dependent society, Gunma Prefecture launched its version of MaaS (Mobility as a Service) last year. This service allows users to book and pay for various public transportation options, such as trains and buses, using just a smartphone.

We explored Gunma's initiative to understand its challenges and significance in maintaining public transportation infrastructure.

Gunma's MaaS, called "Gun-MaaS," offers a one-stop solution for public transportation, enabling users to search, book, and pay for different modes of transport. Despite the fact that 77.1% of commuters in Gunma use private cars, significantly higher than the national average of 48.2%, the introduction of Gun-MaaS aims to make public transport more accessible and convenient.

One of the key features of Gun-MaaS is the ability to book demand-responsive buses, which adjust their routes based on user reservations. This service has been particularly beneficial for residents in areas with limited public transport options, reducing travel time and improving mobility.

Additionally, Gun-MaaS offers discounts on demand bus fares for users who link their My Number cards to the service. This not only makes the service more affordable but also allows the local government to gather data on service usage, which can be used to further improve the system.

Interestingly, half of the registered users of Gun-MaaS are tourists from outside the prefecture. The service has also been adopted by the Watarase Keikoku Railway, allowing passengers to enjoy cashless travel through QR code ticketing. This move towards cashless transactions is expected to attract more tourists and enhance the overall travel experience in the region.

Gunma's MaaS initiative represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient public transportation system. By reducing the reliance on private cars and improving access to public transport, Gunma is paving the way for a more inclusive and environmentally friendly mobility future.

Source: TBS

Record Rain Triggers Level 5 Warning in Fukui

Record rainfall caused 19 rivers to overflow across Fukui Prefecture, flooding roads and homes, triggering landslides and temporarily forcing authorities to issue the highest-level heavy rain emergency warning from early Sunday morning.

Drones Deliver Supplies to Residents Cut Off by Landslide

Drones were used to deliver food and daily necessities to an isolated mountain community in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, on August 30 after torrential rain triggered a landslide that cut off road access, while volunteers continued flood recovery work in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture.

Typhoon No. 23 Overtakes No. 22 East of Japan as Both Head North

Two typhoons east of Japan were moving northward on August 30, with Typhoon No. 23 (Banlan) overtaking Typhoon No. 22 (Artau), although neither storm is expected to have a direct impact on Japan.

Nine-Minute Drone Video Shows Scale of Aeon Mall Damage

A 9-minute, 13-second drone video filmed inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto two days after the deadly explosion has provided a detailed view of the destruction, showing collapsed ceilings, heavy dust and widespread damage that may have affected between one-third and nearly half of the shopping center.

Conditions Ease as Typhoon No. 18 Passes Okinawa

Strong Typhoon No. 18 was moving northwest through the East China Sea on the night of August 26, gradually pulling away from Okinawa and the Amami Islands as lingering rain, strong winds and high waves were expected to ease. As of 9 p.m. on August 26, the typhoon was over waters north-northwest of Kume Island and moving northwest.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Toyota Targets Autonomous Driving From 2028

Toyota Motor plans to introduce passenger vehicles equipped with advanced automated driving technology from 2028, allowing drivers to travel with almost no manual operation, including taking their hands off the steering wheel on ordinary roads.

Tokyo Consumer Prices Rise 1.8% in August as Inflation Accelerates

Consumer prices in central Tokyo rose 1.8% in August from a year earlier, with the pace of inflation accelerating for a third consecutive month as higher food prices continued to put upward pressure on household costs.

Nikkei Rebounds as IT Shares Rise Before Jackson Hole

Tokyo stocks rose on August 28, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,405.56, up 273.58 points, or 0.41%, as information-technology, software, automaker and selected semiconductor-related shares gained after a U.S. technology rally, while investors remained cautious before Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech.

Japan's Toy Market Tops 1 Trillion Yen

Japan's toy market continues to expand despite the country's declining number of children, reaching a record 1.1664 trillion yen in fiscal 2025 as manufacturers increasingly target adults and introduce products reflecting social issues ranging from sustainability to investment.

Nikkei Slips as Nvidia Rally Fades Into Profit-Taking

Tokyo stocks slipped on August 27, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,131.98, down 130.18 points, as early buying in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares following Nvidia’s strong earnings forecast faded into profit-taking, while the broader TOPIX edged higher for a sixth straight session.

Seven-Eleven Installs Self-Service Shipping Machines

Seven-Eleven Japan and Yamato Transport announced on August 26 that they will introduce self-service shipping machines allowing customers to send parcels without lining up at a staffed checkout counter.

Nikkei Reclaims 66,000 as Nvidia Caution Keeps Trading Thin

Tokyo stocks rose on August 26, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,262.16, up 405.73 points, or 0.62%, as investors bought back selected semiconductor and financial shares, although trading was thin ahead of Nvidia’s earnings and uncertainty remained over artificial intelligence valuations, the yen and Bank of Japan policy.

Nikkei Falls as Nvidia Caution Hits Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on August 25, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,980.53, down 0.8%, as investors sold semiconductor and electronics shares ahead of Nvidia’s earnings while a weak yen, elevated bond yields and renewed U.S. pressure on Iran kept risk appetite subdued.

< 2 3 4 5 >