Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) together with Miyako Kyoei Bus LPC (“Miyako Kyoei Bus”), Yachiyo Bus & Taxi Corporation (“Yachiyo Bus & Taxi”), Chuo Kotsu, Inc. (“Chuo Kotsu”), NEC Corporation (“NEC”), and Putmenu Co., Ltd. (“Putmenu”) will begin a trial of Miyakojima Loop Bus, a bus service that will be routed through the main tourist sites and accommodations in Miyakojima, Okinawa.

With greater tourism, Miyakojima faces challenges such as a shortage of transportation to and from tourist sites, fewer taxis available during peak hours, and traffic congestion from higher numbers of rented vehicles on the road. Miyakojima has contracted Sojitz and its partners to conduct feasibility studies through this trial bus service to increase convenience of bus-based transportation—a primary mode of transportation on the island and to equip buses with contactless technology among other COVID-19 safety measures.

Sojitz and its five partners aim to increase convenience and mobility to accommodate the recent trend of increasing tourism from both Japan and abroad. At the same time, special fares will be established for Miyakojima residents in order to increase their eco-mindset and use of public transportation.

In response to the new normal under COVID-19, basic safety measures will be taken to prevent infection, such as requiring all passengers to wear masks and performing routine sanitation of buses. Contactless payment and boarding will be implemented as part of this bus service trial by the following two companies.
1) By NEC: Buses will be equipped with facial recognition technology ranked number one in the world five times by the U.S.’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
2) By Putmenu: Ticketless boarding will be instituted on the buses. In cooperation with the LINE app, Putmenu will make it possible for passengers to purchase bus tickets online.

Sojitz is already involved with Miyakojima’s Shimojishima Airport management business, and through this new Miyakojima Loop Bus project the company seeks to increase use of public transportation systems and to provide benefits to both the local community and tourists. Sojitz will consider plans to implement new mobility services in its pursuit of building a public transportation model in Miyakojima that is both safe and sustainable.

(※) NEC Face Recognition Technology Ranks First in NIST Accuracy Testing

■Business Scheme

■Overview of Operations
Bus Company: MIYAKO ISLAND LOOP BUS
Service Dates: Sunday, October 25^th, 2020 through Sunday, January 31^st, 2021 (Planned)
Bus Route (Main Transit Sites):
Matida Civic Theater (Miyakojima Cultural Center) ➔ Miyakojima City Hall ➔ Miyako Airport
➔ Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts ➔ Shigira Seven Miles Resort ➔ Aragusuku Beach
➔ Yoshino Beach ➔ Miyakojima Botanical Garden ➔ Matida Civic Theater (Miyakojima Cultural Center)

Buses travel in both directions on Miyakojima. For further details, please visit the Miyakojima Loop Bus website

■Bus Fares

Role of Each Company

Sojitz Corporation	General coordination and business feasibility studies for commercialization
Miyako Kyoei Bus LPC	Bus operations
Yachiyo Bus & Taxi Corporation
Chuo Kotsu, Inc.
NEC Corporation	Provision of boarding service using facial-recognition technology
Putmenu Co., Ltd.	Collaboration with LINE Corporation to offer a cashless and ticketless bus boarding service