An order suspending operations was issued against 1 large vessel and 2 jet boats operated by 東海汽船, covering the 20-day period from the 9th through the 28th. The service between Tokyo and Oshima will switch to substitute vessels, and timetable changes are expected to affect island residents’ travel.
The Kanto Regional Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued orders suspending operations by 1 large passenger vessel and 2 jet boats operated by 東海汽船. The orders cover the period from the 9th through the 28th, with substitute services scheduled. On the Tokyo–Oshima route, the large vessel will be replaced by a smaller vessel, while jet boat service will be reduced from 2 sailings per day to 1, and operating times on each route are expected to change.
Island municipality assembly members and Taku Yamazoe (山添 拓), a House of Councillors member of the Japanese Communist Party, participated in an online hearing and pointed out the inconvenience this would cause island residents. Ensuring alternative transportation for wheelchair users and families with small children was raised as a concern.
Former House of Representatives member Toru Miyamoto (宮本 徹) appealed over the significant harm to island residents caused by the problems at 東海汽船 and pointed out inconsistencies in the system. An official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism responded that the ministry would take the opinions into consideration.
This report is based on reporting by Shimbun Akahata, which emphasized the inconvenience to island residents and the lack of alternatives.