Latest news with #TransportandTourism
The Mainichi
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Gov't to revoke Japan Post license for lax driver alcohol tests
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government on Thursday notified Japan Post Co. of its plan to revoke the company's license to operate some 2,500 of its freight delivery vans and trucks after many post offices failed to properly check if drivers had consumed alcohol. License revocation is the most serious administrative penalty available to authorities under the motor truck transportation business law. It is rare for a major operator to face such a severe punishment and it means Japan Post will not be able to reacquire the license for five years. The notification came after the Tokyo-based operator said in April that 75 percent of its 3,188 post offices nationwide had failed to properly conduct mandatory roll calls to check whether delivery drivers had alcohol in their system. A special audit conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism found many post offices subject to the probe were found to have falsified roll call records, according to sources familiar with the matter. The ministry's Kanto District Transport Bureau will hear opinions regarding the penalty from Japan Post on June 18. "It is a serious incident concerning the future existence (of our service). We will carefully examine the effects on our customers and businesses and promptly consider specific measures to be taken," said Japan Post, operator of the Yu-Pack parcel delivery service. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference that the case is "extremely regrettable, as it could jeopardize safe transportation." The ministry said it found 82 post offices had violated laws after inspecting 119 offices flagged by Japan Post for improper conduct. The ministry will also consider ordering Japan Post to suspend the use of approximately 32,000 vans and other vehicles. Some 83,000 motorcycles that are mainly used for mail delivery are not subject to the motor truck transportation business law. According to Japan Post, one driver was found to be intoxicated after consuming wine while on duty in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, while another crashed into a fence after drinking on the job in Saitama Prefecture.
Tokyo Reported
28-05-2025
- Tokyo Reported
American filmmaker suspected of using drone to shoot Tokyo Skytree without permission
American filmmaker suspected of using drone to shoot Tokyo Skytree without permission TOKYO (TR) – A video posted on social media earlier this month shows footage from a drone as it spins and plummets around Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward. The video was posted by a male American filmmaker, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism tells the Sankei Shimbun (May 28) that he did not gain permission beforehand to fly the drone. According to the land ministry, a person in charge of the Civil Aviation Bureau confirmed that the video was posted on Instagram by the U.S. videographer on May 19. Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles flying at altitudes of 150 meters or more above the ground or in densely populated airspace require permission under the Aviation Act, but the man had not obtained such permission. The video also shows the drone diving and flying close to the 634-meter-tall Skytree in Sumida Ward. A ministry official said, 'This may violate the rule of maintaining a distance of at least 30 meters from third-party property as stipulated in the Aviation Act.' The same person also posted a video on Instagram in May last year that was shot from a drone that circled Tokyo Tower and dove close to it. According to the ministry, no prior notification of that drone flight was filed then either. Fuji News Network contacted the filmmaker about whether he had obtained permission from the government to fly the drone. 'I used the unique perspective of a drone to explore the architectural beauty of Tokyo. The Skytree is a powerful symbol that symbolizes the horizon and spirit of Tokyo,' he said by email without mentioning permission. The land ministry is consulting with police about violations of the Aviation Act.
Hypebeast
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Japanese Government Releases Free 'Minecraft' Map
Summary The Japanese government has released aMinecraftmap modeled after one of its most renowned facilities. Dexertoreports that the free map was created by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). It's a reconstruction of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (G-Cans). The water infrastructure project was built to alleviate the overflow of water in the city's major waterways and rivers during heavy rain and typhoon season. It's also known as the largest underground flood water diversion facility in the world. The Minecraft map allows players to enter the G-Cans and explore the astonishing piece of infrastructure. The Japanese government explained that they created the map to educate players on infrastructures that help prevent disasters. 'We have realistically reproduced the huge shaft, epic-scale pressure-regulating tank, drainage pump equipment, and other features of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel,' Japanese government officials wrote. They added, 'When designing the world data, we based it on actual blueprints and created it for Minecraft, pursuing realism. In addition, the game also includes ways to enjoy Minecraft, such as checking out places and facilities that are normally off-limits.' Construction of the G-Cans finished in 2006 with a total of five large concrete containment silos. These silos are connected by 6.4 kilomteres of tunnels located 160 feet below the surface. There's also a water tank that measures at 83 feet tall, and has 59 pillars connected to pumps. It can pump up to 200 metric tons of water into the Edo River per second. Check out the map on theEdogawa River Office homepage.
Japan Forward
27-05-2025
- Japan Forward
Spider Deployed for Disaster Relief Efforts
このページを 日本語 で読む On May 21, the Noto Reconstruction Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) unveiled the "Spider" to the press. The reconstruction team is now using this specialized type of heavy machinery to rebuild roads in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, following the devastating 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake and record-breaking torrential rains. Equipped with four agile spider-like legs, the machine can navigate sloped terrain. During the demonstration, it climbed over large rocks and even cut and carried fallen trees. "We aim to make full use of the Spider's superior capabilities to accelerate reconstruction," said Tatsuya Minamitani, Section 3 engineering manager at the Noto Reconstruction office. The Spider climbs over large rocks in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The Spider is unveiled to the press in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on May 21. According to MLIT, there are around 20 Spiders in Japan. That includes units owned by private companies. Their interchangeable arms allow for various tasks, such as excavation and piling. They also came in handy for clearing tangerine orchards buried by landslides in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, after heavy rains hit western Japan in November 2024. The Spider can also transport fallen trees. Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on May 21. Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Sky News AU
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Sydney illuminates for 2025 Vivid festival
Some of Australia's most iconic venues were lit up on Friday night for the annual Vivid festival in Sydney. The threat of wet weather didn't dampen spirits — more than 3 million people are expected to hit the streets during the 23-day event. Transport and Tourism Chief Executive Margy Osmond joins Sky News Australia to discuss how the three-week festival showcases Sydney.
