May 7, 2009

Japanese Traffic Jam

The Golden week finished yesterday. Companies, banks, public offices, and shops are started working.

Highway congested because 70 million of Japanese went out by car in Golden week. We call it "U turn rush". The worst was 57km congestion in Kyushu (southern island of Japan) area. It was nightmare. Japanese father have to drive long distance so that children and wife can enjoy the holiday!
The government enforced a new system "highway toll just 1000yen" in March, 2009. That system apply for users who have ETC (Electric Toll Collection) system, and for Saturday, Sunday and holiday. That was the biggest cause of traffic jam.

However, at amusement parks, hotels, and resorts were full of people. They spent much money and huge money moved. It was good for economy.

Well, Golden week finished.
Exhausted Japanese fathers got back to office.
I who was relaxed at home all day long started working, too.