Japan promotes mobility data and community aid to solve regional transport gaps

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) will host an online seminar on October 26 focused on utilizing mobility data to address regional transportation challenges. The event, part of the COMmmmONS project, aims to promote digital transformation (DX) and standardization to resolve “transportation deserts” caused by labor shortages and aging populations.

Speakers will discuss using data to improve productivity and value, including the use of social digital twin technology and regional public transport planning tools. The seminar aims to foster public-private partnerships to prepare for an autonomous driving society.

In a related development, Tokai Clarion has proposed that sustainable regional transport must rely on community mutual aid to combat the isolation caused by declining public services. The company is currently conducting autonomous driving cart trials on Tarama Island in Okinawa, where residents participate in operations. These trials have covered over 11,000 km since August 2024, testing models where local communities maintain their own mobility infrastructure.