A widespread system failure across central Japan is ongoing after knocking out electronic toll collection (ETC) booths on major expressways on the morning of April 7.
As of 4 a.m., the disruption was confirmed at 106 toll booths across 17 routes in Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi and Mie, according to Central Nippon Expressway Co.
The system failure, which began around 12:30 a.m. on April 6, is not expected to be resolved anytime soon.
The operator believes that the malfunction was linked to the ETC system undergoing modification work the previous day.
In response to the disruption, the company is allowing drivers to pass through affected toll booths without paying and deferring the toll charges to be billed later.
This temporary measure will remain in place until the system is restored.
According to the transport ministry, ETC usage has surged from 1.6 percent in 2002 to 95.3 percent this year.
With an average of 7.74 million drivers using it daily, the system has become an essential part of the country’s transportation infrastructure.
According to a ministry official, the ETC system has become increasingly complex due to repeated upgrades, which is likely prolonging the restoration process.
AloJapan.com