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Benefits of Congestion Charge in Tokyo

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Benefits of Congestion Charge in Tokyo
Benefits of Congestion Charge in Tokyo

Since the 1940s, motorization has increased rapidly around the world, particularly private vehicles. The trend has created both economic and individual benefits. The development resulted in the prosperity of the metropolis, while regional areas declined steeply in scale. In Japan, the least number of vehicles per household by prefecture was Tokyo with 0.497(Automobile Inspection Association, 2009). Nevertheless, there are chronic enormous traffic jams in Tokyo. Congestion charging systems have been considered because many suburbanites have gathered to work, study and make a purchase in the city. As a result of the consideration, the new systems have been practised in many cities, such as Oslo, Singapore and London, to resolve urban traffic congestion. At the end of the 20th century, the issue of whether or not the congestion charging system is necessary for Japan, especially for Tokyo, has become a controversial issue (Obuchi, 2009). It might be maintained that the scheme brings several negative impacts to not only drivers and cities but also economies and businesses. In contrast, it could be illustrated that this innovative invention can solve environmental problems and recessions. This essay will discuss whether the congestion charge system is beneficial for Tokyo. It will argue both sides of the debate but will demonstrate that this system leads to positive effects on society. Firstly, economic aspects will be described, followed by environmental issues and finally, this essay will account for benefits on car businesses.

It is suggested that congestion charge causes negative impacts to the Japanese economy (Kamakura City, 2001). It is claimed that the new charging scheme should not be introduced to Japan because motorway charges were reduced in order to stimulate the Japanese economy (ibid.), in particular for travel industries and local economies. If the policy was announced, a considerable number of consumers could



Bibliography: Acoustical Society of America (2001). Community noise exposure and stress in children. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://www.i-med.ac.at/sozialmedizin/documents/evans-et-al.pdf Automobile Inspection and Registration Information Association (2009). Number of my cars per household. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://www.airia.or.jp/publish/pdf/happyou/2009_08setai.pdf ATN, Australian Transport News (2010). Greens want $23k B-double rego fees. [Online]. Retrieved on 8 August 2010 from: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/articleid/68764.aspx Central London Congestion Charging (2008). Impacts monitoring: Six annual report, pp.220. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/sixth-annual-impacts-monitoring-report-200807.pdf Environment of Tokyo (2010). Price pressure due to road pricing. [Online]. Retrieved on 8 August 2010 from: http://www2.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/jidousya/kotsuryo-taisaku/s9.html EST Advisory Committee (2008) Kamakura City (2001). Views of Road Charging. [Online]. Retrieved on 8 August 2010 from: http://city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/koutsu/documents/lorpra.pdf Nakamura,M http://133.250.202.65/opinion/chitekishisan/2010/pdf/cs20100302.pdf Obuchi,Y.(2009) http://sucra.saitama-u.ac.jp/modules/xoonips/detail.php?id=JOS-KJ00004176333 Sanno University (2009) The Ministry of the Environment (2009). What is Road Charging. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://www.env.go.jp/air/car/comm_mvte/s1-21-01/mat04.pdf The Ministry of Land (2006) Transport Committee (2005). The Road Pricing Next Steps: Sevens Report of Session 2004-05. [Online]. Retrieved on 8 August 2010 from: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmtran/218/218i.pdf United Nations (1998). Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf University of Tokyo (2004). Innovation Strategies and Environmental Control: MMRC Discussion Paper Series. [Online]. Retrieved on 2 August 2010 from: http://merc.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/mmrc/dp/pdf/MMRC6_2004.pdf

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