Latest news with #KotaroNagasaki
Japan Today
10 hours ago
- Japan Today
Authorities to push for rubber-tired Mount Fuji tram line
The Yamanashi prefectural government is pushing for the construction of a rubber-tired tram line ascending halfway up Mount Fuji, following survey results that deemed the plan "superior" compared with a previous proposal. "I want to gain understanding by creating opportunities for residents to speak" about the proposal, said Yamanashi Gov Kotaro Nagasaki. The prefecture said the cost of introducing the tram line could be less than 50 percent compared with that of the previously considered light rail tram plan. Rubber-tired trams with sensors enabling them to follow magnetic markers that can be placed on the existing roads would eliminate the need to build a new rail line, as well as have higher transportation capacity than buses, according to the survey. Authorities hope to develop the local transportation network and extend the tram line to a magnetically levitated bullet train station that is planned to be built in the prefectural capital of Kofu. According to the survey results, introducing a light rail tram line would cost 134 billion yen due to the need to construct tracks, while a rubber-tired tram line would cost just 61.8 billion yen. Transportation capacity was also estimated at 120 seats per carriage for the rubber-tired tram, as opposed to only 33 to 58 seats for buses. "We will continue to investigate the profitability of the project and the necessary facilities," a prefectural official said. The proposal to build a light rail ascending to Mount Fuji's 5th station, the starting point of a popular climbing trail that begins at an altitude of about 2,300 meters, was shelved amid public concerns over its environmental impact. Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic 3,776-meter mountain peak and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, attracts many climbers and tourists from home and abroad. But the rising popularity of the mountain, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, has led to challenges including "overtourism" and "bullet climbing," whereby climbers attempt to reach the summit in time to see the sun rise and then return without stopping to sleep. © KYODO
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Kyodo News
Authorities to push for "superior" rubber-tired Mt. Fuji tram line
KYODO NEWS - 20 hours ago - 22:04 | Feature The Yamanashi prefectural government on Thursday pushed for the construction of a rubber-tired tram line ascending halfway up Mt. Fuji, following survey results that deemed the plan "superior" compared with a previous proposal. "I want to gain understanding by creating opportunities for residents to speak" about the proposal, said Yamanashi Gov. Kotaro Nagasaki at a regular press conference. The prefecture said the cost of introducing the tram line could be less than 50 percent compared with that of the previously considered light rail tram plan. Rubber-tired trams with sensors enabling them to follow magnetic markers that can be placed on the existing roads would eliminate the need to build a new rail line, as well as have higher transportation capacity than buses, according to the survey. Authorities hope to develop the local transportation network and extend the tram line to a magnetically levitated bullet train station that is planned to be built in the prefectural capital of Kofu. According to the survey results, introducing a light rail tram line would cost 134 billion yen ($935 million) due to the need to construct tracks, while a rubber-tired tram line would cost just 61.8 billion yen. Transportation capacity was also estimated at 120 seats per carriage for the rubber-tired tram, as opposed to only 33 to 58 seats for buses. "We will continue to investigate the profitability of the project and the necessary facilities," a prefectural official said. The proposal to build a light rail ascending to Mt. Fuji's 5th station, the starting point of a popular climbing trail that begins at an altitude of about 2,300 meters, was shelved amid public concerns over its environmental impact. Mt. Fuji, Japan's iconic 3,776-meter mountain peak and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, attracts many climbers and tourists from home and abroad. But the rising popularity of the mountain, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, has led to challenges including "overtourism" and "bullet climbing," whereby climbers attempt to reach the summit in time to see the sun rise and then return without stopping to sleep. Related coverage: 3 Taiwanese climbers found safe on Fukushima mountain Local gov't mulls charging rescued hikers for Mt. Fuji helicopter use Local reaction to Mt. Fuji photo hunters causing major regrets
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Kyodo News
Authorities to push for "superior" rubber-tired Mt. Fuji tram line
KYODO NEWS - 11 hours ago - 22:04 | Feature The Yamanashi prefectural government on Thursday pushed for the construction of a rubber-tired tram line ascending halfway up Mt. Fuji, following survey results that deemed the plan "superior" compared with a previous proposal. "I want to gain understanding by creating opportunities for residents to speak" about the proposal, said Yamanashi Gov. Kotaro Nagasaki at a regular press conference. The prefecture said the cost of introducing the tram line could be less than 50 percent compared with that of the previously considered light rail tram plan. Rubber-tired trams with sensors enabling them to follow magnetic markers that can be placed on the existing roads would eliminate the need to build a new rail line, as well as have higher transportation capacity than buses, according to the survey. Authorities hope to develop the local transportation network and extend the tram line to a magnetically levitated bullet train station that is planned to be built in the prefectural capital of Kofu. According to the survey results, introducing a light rail tram line would cost 134 billion yen ($935 million) due to the need to construct tracks, while a rubber-tired tram line would cost just 61.8 billion yen. Transportation capacity was also estimated at 120 seats per carriage for the rubber-tired tram, as opposed to only 33 to 58 seats for buses. "We will continue to investigate the profitability of the project and the necessary facilities," a prefectural official said. The proposal to build a light rail ascending to Mt. Fuji's 5th station, the starting point of a popular climbing trail that begins at an altitude of about 2,300 meters, was shelved amid public concerns over its environmental impact. Mt. Fuji, Japan's iconic 3,776-meter mountain peak and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, attracts many climbers and tourists from home and abroad. But the rising popularity of the mountain, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, has led to challenges including "overtourism" and "bullet climbing," whereby climbers attempt to reach the summit in time to see the sun rise and then return without stopping to sleep. Related coverage: 3 Taiwanese climbers found safe on Fukushima mountain Local gov't mulls charging rescued hikers for Mt. Fuji helicopter use Local reaction to Mt. Fuji photo hunters causing major regrets
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- The Mainichi
Authorities to push for 'superior' rubber-tired Mt. Fuji tram line
KOFU (Kyodo) -- The Yamanashi prefectural government on Thursday pushed for the construction of a rubber-tired tram line ascending halfway up Mt. Fuji, following survey results that deemed the plan "superior" compared with a previous proposal. "I want to gain understanding by creating opportunities for residents to speak" about the proposal, said Yamanashi Gov. Kotaro Nagasaki at a regular press conference. The prefecture said the cost of introducing the tram line could be less than 50 percent compared with that of the previously considered light rail tram plan. Rubber-tired trams with sensors enabling them to follow magnetic markers that can be placed on the existing roads would eliminate the need to build a new rail line, as well as have higher transportation capacity than buses, according to the survey. Authorities hope to develop the local transportation network and extend the tram line to a magnetically levitated bullet train station that is planned to be built in the prefectural capital of Kofu. According to the survey results, introducing a light rail tram line would cost 134 billion yen ($935 million) due to the need to construct tracks, while a rubber-tired tram line would cost just 61.8 billion yen. Transportation capacity was also estimated at 120 seats per carriage for the rubber-tired tram, as opposed to only 33 to 58 seats for buses. "We will continue to investigate the profitability of the project and the necessary facilities," a prefectural official said. The proposal to build a light rail ascending to Mt. Fuji's 5th station, the starting point of a popular climbing trail that begins at an altitude of about 2,300 meters, was shelved amid public concerns over its environmental impact. Mt. Fuji, Japan's iconic 3,776-meter mountain peak and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, attracts many climbers and tourists from home and abroad. But the rising popularity of the mountain, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, has led to challenges including "overtourism" and "bullet climbing," whereby climbers attempt to reach the summit in time to see the sun rise and then return without stopping to sleep.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Hydrogen Production Group Leads Major Japanese Project
The Yamanashi Prefectural Government in Japan and Washington, D.C.-headquartered SGH2 Energy have formalized an agreement to promote green hydrogen-related initiatives in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The area near Mount Fuji is a world-renowned tourist destination celebrated for its natural beauty. The companies on Feb. 13 said the collaboration "marks a pivotal step in the ambitious plan to transform the area into a sustainable 'green metropolis,' setting a benchmark for future urban development globally." SGH2 Energy, a multinational company focused on the gasification of waste into hydrogen, will develop and implement a state-of-the-art carbon-negative hydrogen (C-nH2) production facility. Using local biomass and biogenic waste feedstocks from Yamanashi, the facility will produce green hydrogen to power e-mobility fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) systems, replacing diesel-powered tourist buses, and supplying clean energy to meet the demands of local industries. The agreement underscores the commitment of both parties to advance innovative solutions in green energy and sustainability. The agreement, drafted in both English and Japanese, was signed by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture; Dr. Hiroshi Tasaka, Chairperson of the Fuji Five Lakes Metropolis Forum; and Robert T. Do, CEO of SGH2 Energy Global Corp. Do said, "This partnership represents a groundbreaking step toward addressing the global climate crisis. By combining our expertise in carbon-negative hydrogen technologies with Yamanashi Prefecture's visionary leadership, we aim to establish the Fuji Five Lakes region as a global hub for innovation and sustainability. The integration of green hydrogen into local industries and transportation will serve as a model for the world." The companies said the partnership between Yamanashi Prefecture and SGH2 Energy is a milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Its utilization of local biomass and biogenic waste feedstocks to produce carbon-negative hydrogen could be a blueprint for green energy integration in transportation and industry. "Our collaboration with SGH2 Energy demonstrates our unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable future," said Nagasaki. "The development of a carbon-negative hydrogen production facility is a significant milestone in our efforts to combat climate change, and it showcases the Fuji Five Lakes region as a pioneer in sustainable tourism and clean energy innovation." Nagasaki is a distinguished politician in Japan. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo and Cornell Law School. His career includes significant roles in the Ministry of Finance and as a member of Japan's House of Representatives. Tasaka is a globally recognized philosopher, visionary, and author. He has a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and an extensive career in academia, advisory roles, and thought leadership. His Fuji Five Lakes Green Metropolis Forum aims to establish a sustainable urban model in the Fuji Five Lakes area. The Forum's vision includes pioneering social experiments and fostering global collaborations through initiatives such as the Fuji Green Hydrogen Community Consortium, which combats climate change by advancing green hydrogen technologies. It also spearheads the Fuji Five Lakes Global Village Consortium and WISE Government Consortium, which drive innovative governance and community development practices. —POWER edited this content, which was contributed by SGH2 Energy's communications team.
