Japan is gearing up for significant traffic congestion as the year-end and New Year holidays approach, with authorities and organizations taking proactive steps to mitigate delays on the roadways. According to NEXCO Central Japan, traffic jams during this period are expected to surpass last year's, exacerbated by increased travel for family gatherings and traditional New Year activities.
The year-end holidays are projected to be particularly congested between December 28 and 30, with major highways seeing severe delays. Daisuke Hanada, a highway drive advisor at NEXCO, highlighted, "The year-end peaks are expected from December 28 to 30 and the New Year peaks on January 2 and 3." Holiday travel typically involves long journeys to popular destinations, particularly on routes leading to Osaka and the Ise Shrine, which could see up to 50 kilometers of disruption during peak hours.
Traffic is expected to be congested mainly on the Tōmei Expressway and the Ise Bay Line, especially as commuters head home after New Year festivities. Estimates suggest over 242 instances of delays longer than 10 kilometers this year compared to 166 last year, indicating the necessity for travelers to reassess their trip schedules.
To alleviate the congestion, authorities are urging drivers to adjust their departure times according to forecasts. The busiest days for traffic are expected to be around family travel times typically observed during New Year celebrations. Travelers planning to drive during these periods are encouraged to check for delays and weather conditions, particularly concerning snow and ice, which can lead to unexpected slowdowns on certain routes.
Further efforts are being rolled out at the regional level—specifically, the Kumamoto Prefecture has announced comprehensive plans targeting traffic issues exacerbated by increased industrial activity. Governor Seiji Kimura and Mayor Kazushi Onishi have initiated measures aimed at significantly reducing congestion across the Kumamoto urban area.
During discussions held on December 26, the officials agreed to tackle traffic problems through several measures within the next three years. Mayor Onishi stated, "Everyone has to do everything possible to tackle the worsening congestion due to industrial accumulation." The plans include promoting staggered work hours dubbed the '1万人のオフピーク通勤' initiative, which translates to '1-person off-peak commuting,' aimed at facilitating smoother travel during peak periods.
Traffic congestion due to rising traffic from businesses, particularly semiconductor industries, is prompting local officials to usher improvements swiftly. This effort entails renovating 30 specific intersections, as well as plans to double public transport usage from the current rate of 5.3% over the next decade, moving away from reliance on personal vehicles. Governor Kimura emphasized the importance of this goal, expressing, "We aim to double the proportion of public transport usage from the current 5.3%." The overall strategy also consists of enhancing public transport's appeal and reliability through increased capacity and efficiency.
They hope the impending changes will lead to incremental improvements on Kumamoto roads where around 230 traffic bottlenecks currently exist. The future vision is to repair about 80 of these locations over the next ten years, significantly improving flow and access for residents and visitors alike.
Overall, with various plans set to be enacted, travelers and locals alike are reminded to plan carefully around this busy season. This approach not only aims to smooth out what could be heavy congestion but also strives to set cleaner, more effective transportation habits moving forward. Monitoring conditions, adjusting travel times, and considering public transport can all contribute to more manageable travel—even during this peak holiday season.
These initiatives are not just limited to the immediate holiday period but represent broader objectives on how communities can respond to growing traffic challenges.
