Why are specific airports chosen for the initial rollout of safety measures?

Question

Accepted Answer

Specific Airports Selected for Road Safety Rollout Due to High Concentration of Foreign Visitors and Right-Hand Traffic Origins

The initial implementation of road traffic safety measures targeting foreign visitors driving rental cars in Japan has commenced around three key airports: Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport, Fukuoka Airport in southwestern Japan, and Okinawa’s Naha Airport. These locations were strategically chosen due to a confluence of factors, primarily the comparatively high volume of foreign tourists who rent vehicles in these areas. Furthermore, the selection was influenced by the significant proportion of visitors originating from countries or regions where traffic conventionally flows on the right side of the road.
High Volume of Foreign Visitors Renting Cars

The chosen airports serve as primary entry points for a substantial number of international tourists who opt for rental cars to explore Japan. This high concentration of foreign drivers necessitates targeted safety interventions. For instance, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism noted that accidents involving rental cars driven by foreign motorists more than quadrupled between 2020 and 2025, reaching 212 cases. This surge underscores the need for immediate and focused safety enhancements in areas with a high density of such incidents.
Proportion of Visitors from Right-Hand Traffic Countries

A critical consideration in selecting these airports was the origin of the majority of foreign visitors. Japan, like the UK, drives on the left. However, a large global majority of countries and regions drive on the right. This means a significant number of foreign drivers arriving in Japan are accustomed to right-hand traffic, increasing the potential for disorientation and errors, particularly at intersections. This factor directly contributes to the higher accident rates observed, with many occurring during right turns.
Response to Increased Accident Rates

The rollout of these safety measures is a direct response to a marked increase in accidents involving foreign drivers of rental cars. This trend has become more pronounced following the recovery of inbound tourism. The transport ministry highlighted that accidents involving foreign motorists holding international driving permits or foreign driving licences saw a dramatic increase. The introduction of measures such as coloured road surfacing for right turns and rubber bollards aims to mitigate these risks and create a safer road environment.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why are specific airports chosen for the initial rollout of safety measures?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

2

0

0

Share with friends