Japan’s “bus shortage alert” temporarily lifted; tour buses now allowed to operate across regions

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The earlier alertabout a potential bus shortage in Japan before the end of Mayhas now been temporarily resolved. The Republic of China Travel Agents Association confirmed on the 18th that Japan has notified local tour bus companies that they are permitted to operate across regions from now until the end of June.

▲ Besides cherry blossom season, Japan is also currently in the midst of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opening period!(Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Traveling to Japan has always been popular among Taiwanese, and with recent factors such as the depreciation of the yen and increased flight availability, coupled with the ongoing cherry blossom season and the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the number of travelers to Japan continues to rise. However, despite the surge in visitors, the local tour bus supply has struggled to meet demand due to regulations that restrict “cross-region operations.” This issue led to a bus shortage back in 2013, and the problem has resurfaced recently.

To improve the situation, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Republic of China Travel Agents Association, through multiple channels, engaged in repeated communication and coordination with Japanese authorities. Eventually, Japan agreed to allow cross-region bus operations, temporarily alleviating the bus shortage crisis.

However, some tourism operators have noted that although the ban on tour buses has been lifted, operating costs have risen. The cost per passenger for bus transport alone has increased by two to three thousand New Taiwan dollars, and hotel prices have also gone up. Since government regulations prohibit travel agencies from raising tour prices for customers who have already signed contracts, the additional costs must be absorbed by the agencies. With both accommodation and transportation costs increasing, it is expected that tour package prices for trips to Japan this summer will rise by 10 to 20 percent.