Access Partnership and the International University of Japan’s Centre for Global Communications (GLOCOM) Release Economic Study on Enhancing Mobility in Japan
Targeted mobility innovations can unlock JPY5.8 trillion in economic value annually, supporting Japan’s long-term economic resilience and demographic challenges.
Read the full report below:
Authors: Abhineet Kaul (Access Partnership), Swee Cheng Wei (Access Partnership), Chailyn Ong (Access Partnership)
Advisors: Dr. Tomoaki Watanabe (GLOCOM), Dr. Masato Ito (GLOCOM), Tatsuo Tanaka (GLOCOM)
Background and Summary
Japan’s transportation system has long been a global benchmark for efficiency and reliability. However, evolving societal needs, including an aging and shrinking population, require a fundamental rethink of mobility solutions to ensure continued economic vitality and accessibility for all citizens. In response to these challenges, global policy consulting firm Access Partnership and the International University of Japan’s Centre for Global Communications (GLOCOM) have released a new economic impact study, quantifying the benefits of improving mobility across Japan. The findings highlight the critical role of innovative transportation solutions, including ridesharing, micro-mobility, and autonomous vehicles (AVs)—in enhancing connectivity, increasing economic participation, and maintaining affordability for businesses, residents, and tourists.
A Transportation System at a Crossroads
The results of a survey conducted among the general population, businesses, and tourists in Japan are as follows, highlighting the potential that can be achieved from improving access to mobility.
- Gaps in accessibility: While Japan’s transportation infrastructure remains world-class, nearly 50% of surveyed residents reported difficulties in travel over the past six months, with 7% of the respondents (translating to 8 million Japanese) experiencing mobility challenges at least once a week.
- Business and economic growth at risk: 40% of businesses in Japan—especially those in rural areas—believe their operations would improve if more flexible and accessible transportation options were available.
- Tourist mobility gaps – A missed opportunity: 62% of visitors to Japan faced mobility challenges during their trip, and 80% believe Japan’s transportation system would benefit from services like ridesharing, signalling strong demand for more flexible travel options.
The Need for a Strategic Mobility Transformation
Japan faces a pivotal moment in shaping the future of its mobility ecosystem. Policymakers must balance affordability, accessibility, and efficiency, ensuring that transportation infrastructure evolves to meet the needs of rural and urban communities alike, while balancing affordability, access, and efficiency.
- Consider new mobility services to maintain ensure access to transportation: Given Japan’s demographic challenges, there are limitations to maintaining and expanding traditional mass transit services such as buses and trains. Targeted transportation reforms, including those that consider more flexible and technologically-driven solutions, should be explored. Solutions such as on-demand buses, ride-sharing, mobile consumer services, and AVs can drive economic participation for the elderly, rural populations, and businesses, ensuring that the country remains globally competitive.
- Develop regulations for new modes of transport: Regulations must be adapted to enable innovation, particularly in shared mobility and ridesharing, which have already been successfully integrated into transportation systems in Singapore and Taiwan.
- Significant economic opportunity: Addressing these mobility gaps could generate up to JPY5.8 trillion in annual economic benefits (Exhibit 1), including JPY0.9 trillion from ridesharing alone (16% of total). Beyond economic gains, enhancing transportation options can also bring about broader societal benefits such as better health and well-being, more optimal sustainability outcomes, and time savings through reduced congestion.
Exhibit 1: JPY5.8 trillion of annual economic benefits for stakeholders in Japan
Evidence-Based Policymaking to Strengthen Japan’s Transportation Future
The study underscores the urgent need for an open and evidence-based approach to transportation policy. As Japan navigates an era of demographic and economic transformation, embracing data-driven mobility solutions will be crucial to sustaining economic growth and ensuring equitable access to transportation for all.
“This study aims to assess transportation-related challenges and future opportunities”, said Dr. Tomoaki Watanabe, researcher and professor at the Centre for Global Communications at the International University of Japan, “I hope it provides essential data to advance discussions on this critical issue in Japan among a wide range of stakeholders”.
