Japan is said to be the world's most advanced market for parking businesses, including the use of vacant lots and parking spaces at homes. Meanwhile, many areas overseas still have staffed facilities, and Japanese-style parking businesses are also spreading in Taiwan.
In Japan, parking space is used efficiently at vacant lots near stations and in urban areas, sites awaiting building demolition, parking areas at existing buildings, and even private residences. Fees are collected through a range of methods, including cash, credit cards and smartphone apps. In recent years, systems that use cameras to recognize license plates and calculate parking time have also become more widespread.
Overseas, traditional fee collection by parking attendants remains common, and security risks associated with cash payments have been highlighted. In the United States and elsewhere, there has been a shift from old-fashioned parking meters to apps and ticket-based systems, although the role of privately and individually operated parking facilities differs depending on public-interest and security considerations.
Technological developments and differences in tax systems are said to influence the nature of parking businesses around the world, while demand for connectivity using vehicle location data is expected to increase. Taiwan, in particular, is reportedly seeing the gradual spread of Japanese-style parking businesses.
Japan's parking business is often regarded as being at the global forefront in light of conditions overseas. The efficient use of vacant land in Japan and the spread of advanced payment and recognition technologies will continue to attract attention.