News On Japan

Mt. Fuji Trials Electric Self-Driving Buses

YAMANASHI, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - An autonomous driving experiment for electric vehicle (EV) buses is underway in mountainous terrain for the first time in Japan.

The trial, conducted by Fujiyoshida City in Yamanashi Prefecture and other entities, is being held on the Fuji Subaru Line with the goal of reducing vehicle exhaust emissions, which have increased with the rising number of Mt. Fuji climbers.

The EV bus operates autonomously, with a driver only intervening when necessary, and its top speed is set at 35 kilometers per hour.

According to the mayor of Fujiyoshida City, there are plans to expand the service to buses circulating around the Fuji Five Lakes area in the future.

Source: ANN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Chiba Prefecture has announced a plan to revise the toll system on the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, currently being tested, by doubling toll fees during peak congestion hours from April next year.

The issue of diplomatic vehicles avoiding parking fines in Japan due to diplomatic immunity continues, with Russia reaching a record-high number of violations, accounting for 63% of the total.

The BBC has announced its 2024 edition of '100 Women,' celebrating individuals who have made a significant impact on society, selecting Japanese talent Naomi Watanabe (37) as one of the honorees.

Authorities in Osaka's Nishinari Ward carried out a contentious forced eviction at the Airin General Center, a facility once central to the city’s day-laborer community, sparking protests from residents and supporters who condemned the move as a violation of human rights and dignity, while officials cited safety concerns and legal rulings as justification for the operation.

The JR Group announced on December 2nd that it will end the sale of "round-trip tickets" by around March 2026. Additionally, "consecutive trip tickets" will also be discontinued during the same period.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has announced plans to load nuclear fuel into Reactor No. 6 of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture by June next year as part of efforts to restart the facility.

The latest model of Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite system, Michibiki, often referred to as the Japanese version of GPS, has been unveiled.

Digital human technology, set to be featured in a pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo next April, was unveiled by media artist Yoichi Ochiai.

A Japanese researcher behind the development of next-generation 'perovskite solar cells' expressed confidence that the product will be available to the public within two to three years.

An explosion and fire have halted a combustion test of Japan's new Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima. (NHK)

Cough medicine shortages have been ongoing for over a year in Japan, creating significant challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. Hospitals and pharmacies report dwindling stocks, with some relying on alternative solutions like medicated patches.

Japan is on the verge of using leftover cooking oil to power airplanes. Universal Studios Japan has already adopted biodiesel, made from used cooking oil, to fuel boats in its popular attractions, signaling a shift towards sustainable energy.

An international team led by a Japanese researcher says it has developed a new type of plastic that is durable but breaks down in seawater. It says the new plastic is recyclable and will help reduce environmental pollution and the accumulation of microplastics in the oceans. (NHK)