Fukuda sensei visited the Traffic Safety Project in Okinawa
At the end of June, Dr. Fukuda participated in the Yui-Maru Project in Okinawa. The Yui-Maru Project is a collaborative initiative led by the Toyota Mobility Foundation involving the Okinawa Prefectural Police, the University of the Ryukyus, and the University of Tokyo. It aims to address the frequent accidents caused by tourists driving rental cars.
Toyota Rent-a-Lease Okinawa was inspected during the visit, and various traffic danger spots were identified. Having driven a rental car in Okinawa, I recall the challenges of navigating the intricate and narrow streets of the old town.
Our laboratory frequently addresses tourism policies related to overtourism in Okinawa and other regions in our students’ graduation research. With Okinawa’s population estimated at 1.46 million (as of June 2024) and 8.53 million tourists in 2023 (domestic and international combined), the need for a safe and comfortable coexistence between locals and tourists is evident. This figure highlights the significant impact of tourism on the region.
Reflecting on this, it becomes clear that addressing these challenges from a traffic engineering perspective is essential to ensuring the safety and comfort of both residents and visitors.
Reference:
Okinawa Prefecture Planning Department Statistics Division (Updated June 1, 2024). “Estimated Population”. Accessed July 12, 2024.
Nikkei Newspaper article (May 2, 2024). “Okinawa’s Fiscal Year 23 Tourists, Domestic Visitors Reach Record High of 7.26 Million”. Accessed July 12, 2024.
