View source for Expressways of Japan

{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{see also|National highways of Japan}}
{{Infobox highway system
| country    = JPN
| title      = Expressways of Japan<br>{{lang|ja|高速道路}}<br>{{lang|ja|自動車道}}
| markers    = [[File:JP Expressway E4.svg|70px|link=|alt=]] [[File:JP Expressway E4A.svg|93px|link=|alt=]] [[File:JP Expressway C4.svg|70px|link=|alt=]]
| caption    = Expressway number signs for the [[Tōhoku Expressway]], its parallel expressways, and the circular [[Ken-Ō Expressway]]
| map        = File:Japan National Expressway map.png
| map_alt    = 
| maint      = the Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency, through its subsidiaries ([[East Nippon Expressway Company|East]], [[Central Nippon Expressway Company|Central]], [[West Nippon Expressway Company|West]] Nippon Expressway Company Limited), the [[Shuto Expressway|Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited]], and others
| formed     = 1963
| length_km  = 10,021
| length_ref = <ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/03key_challenges/6-1.pdf |title=Toll and Toll-free Roads in Current Arterial High-standard Highway Network |author=Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport |access-date=2017-11-09}}</ref>
| notes      = 
| label1     = Expressways
| field1     = Enn Expressway (E1) <br /><small>(primary route)</small><br />EnnA Expressway (E1A)<br /><small>(parallel route)</small><br />Cn Expressway (C1)<br /><small>(circular route)</small><ref name="route_number2" />
}}

[[File:TOYOTA Interchange on TOMEI EXPWY and SHIN-TOMEI EXPWY.jpg|thumb|Junction of [[Tomei Expressway|E1]] and [[Shin-Tomei Expressway|E1A]], major expressways linking [[Tokyo]] and [[Nagoya]] in Central Japan]]

The {{nihongo|'''expressways'''|高速道路|kōsoku-dōro|lit. "high-speed road", also {{nihongo||自動車道|''jidōsha-dō''}}, lit. "automobile road", "freeway", "expressway", or "motorway"}} of [[Japan]] make up a large network of [[controlled-access highway|controlled-access]] [[toll road|toll expressway]]s.

== History ==
Following [[World War II]], [[Japan|Japan's]] economic revival led to a massive increase in personal automobile use. However the existing road system was inadequate to deal with the increased demand; in 1956 only 23% of [[National highways of Japan|national highways]] were paved, which included only two thirds of the main [[Tokyo]]-[[Osaka]] road ([[Japan National Route 1|National Route 1]]).<ref name="develop" />

In April 1956 the [[Japan Highway Public Corporation]] (JH) was established by the national government with the task of constructing and managing a nationwide network of expressways. In 1957 permission was given to the corporation to commence construction of the [[Meishin Expressway]] linking [[Nagoya]] and [[Kobe]],<ref name="develop">{{cite web| date=November 2005| first1=Fukunari| last1=Kimura| first2=Mitsuhiro| last2=Maeda| url=http://www.bnm.gov.my/microsites/rcicc/papers/s5.kimura.pdf| title=Transport Infrastructure Development in Japan and Korea: Drawing Lessons for the Philippines| access-date=2008-04-11| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121436/http://www.bnm.gov.my/microsites/rcicc/papers/s5.kimura.pdf| archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref> the first section of which opened to traffic in 1963.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/hist/hist2.html | title= History of Japanese Roads | author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport | access-date= 2008-04-11 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080424044715/http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/hist/hist2.html | archive-date= 2008-04-24 }}</ref>

In addition to the national expressway network administered by JH, the government established additional corporations to construct and manage expressways in urban areas.  The Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation (responsible for the [[Shuto Expressway]]) was established in 1959, and the Hanshin Expressway Public Corporation (responsible for the [[Hanshin Expressway]]) was established in 1962. By 2004 the lengths of their networks had extended to {{convert|283|km|mi|1|}} and {{convert|234|km|mi|1|}} respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/contents03/3-2-1.html | title= Roads in Japan - Metropolitan Ring Roads | author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport | access-date= 2008-04-11 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071209163254/http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/contents03/3-2-1.html | archive-date= 2007-12-09 }}</ref>

In 1966 a plan was formally enacted for a {{convert|7,600|km|mi|1|}} national expressway network. Under this plan construction of expressways running parallel to the coastlines of Japan would be given priority over those traversing the mountainous interior.<ref name="develop" /> In 1987, the plan was revised to extend the network to {{convert|14,000|km|mi|1|}}. In April 2018, completed sections of the network totaled {{convert|9,429|km|mi|1|}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/road/soudan/soudan_10b_01.html|title = 道路：道の相談室：道に関する各種データ集 - 国土交通省}}</ref>

In October 2005 JH, the Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation, the Hanshin Expressway Public Corporation, and the Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Authority (managing three fixed-link connections between [[Honshu]] and [[Shikoku]]) were privatized under the reform policies of the government of Prime Minister [[Junichiro Koizumi]]. These privatizations are technically converting the corporations into [[kabushiki gaisha|stock companies]] with no stock sold to the general public, since the [[Government of Japan]] hold controlling shares in the successor companies. The expressway network of JH was divided into three companies based on geography - [[East Nippon Expressway Company]] (E-NEXCO), [[Central Nippon Expressway Company]] (C-NEXCO), and [[West Nippon Expressway Company]] (W-NEXCO). The Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation transferred its authority to the Metropolitan Expressway Company, while the Hanshin Expressway Public Corporation transferred its authority to the Hanshin Expressway Company. The Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority became the [[Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company]], whose operations are planned to eventually be absorbed into those of W-NEXCO.<ref name="private" />

The act authorizing the privatization, the {{nihongo|''Act on Expressway Companies''|高速道路株式会社法|Kōsoku-dōro kabushiki gaisha-hō|Act No. 99 of 2004}}, was modeled on similar acts authorizing the privatization of the [[Japanese National Railways]] into the [[Japan Railways Group]] (JR Group). However, unlike the JR Group acts:

* The government (or, in the case of Metropolitan Expressway Company, Hanshin Expressway Company, and Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company, the government and local governments collectively) must own at least one-third of all shares; and
* The business goals of the companies are strictly defined.

==Finances==
[[File:Tomei-Expwy Atsugi.jpg|thumb|[[Tōmei Expressway|E1 Tōmei Expressway]] near [[Atsugi, Kanagawa|Atsugi]]]]
Japan's expressway development has been financed largely with debt.  It was intended to make the expressways free when they are paid off.  The [[Meishin Expressway]] and [[Tomei Expressway]] debt has been fully paid off since 1990.  It was decided in 1972 that tolls would be pooled from all expressways to provide a single source of operating funds, since some sections were little used.  Earthquake resistant construction methods have added to costs, as well as extensive [[soundwall]]ing. In March 2009 (then) Prime Minister [[Taro Aso]] unveiled  a plan to reduce tolls to ¥1,000 on weekends and national holidays. Tolls on weekdays would be cut by around 30 percent.  According to the National Expressway [[Construction]] Association, 4.41 million vehicles use the expressways daily, driving an average of {{convert|43.7|km|mi|1|}}.<ref>{{cite news|first=Kazuaki|last=Nagata|publisher=The Japan Times|date=December 16, 2008|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081216i1.html |title=A highway system that ever exacts toll}}</ref>

==National expressways==
[[Image:Mihakayamatunnel.jpg|thumb|A typical tunnel entrance for rural two-lane expressways with electronic speed limit and notice signs]]
[[Image:TagaSA.jpg|thumb|Taga Service Area]]
[[Image:Kinki Expressway Yao Toll Gate.jpg|thumb|right|Toll gate on the [[Kinki Expressway|E26 Kinki Expressway]]. The lanes under the arches are designated for [[Electronic toll collection|ETC]]-capable vehicles only.]]
[[File:Hokkaido Expwy near Eniwa.jpg|thumb|[[Dō-Ō Expressway|E5 Hokkaido Expressway]]]]
{{nihongo|'''National expressways'''|高速自動車国道|Kōsoku Jidōsha Kokudō}} make up the majority of expressways in Japan. This network boasts an uninterrupted link between [[Aomori Prefecture]] at the northern part of [[Honshu]] and [[Kagoshima Prefecture]] at the southern part of [[Kyushu]], linking [[Shikoku]] as well. Additional expressways serve travellers in [[Hokkaido]] and on [[Okinawa Island]], although those are not connected to the Honshu-Kyushu-Shikoku grid.

===Features===
[[File:Shin Tomei exp JD19k11a.jpg|thumb|right|Variable speed limit signs used on expressways. Sign on the left denotes the limit for heavy trucks, motor vehicles with a trailer and three-wheelers; however, the speed limit for a heavy truck is since April 2024 raised from 80 to 90 km/h.]]
{{see also|Speed limits in Japan}}

Most Japanese expressways are [[dual carriageway]]s with 2-3 lanes per side, while in rural areas are constructed as undivided [[two-lane expressway]]. Two-lane expressway sections are built to a standard that allows for the addition of another parallel carriageway in the future.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Expressways in Japan
|author = <!-- not stated -->
|url = https://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/03key_challenges/6-1.pdf
|publisher = Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (国土交通省)
|access-date = 2025-02-25
}}</ref>

The default speed limit is 70 km/h (approximately 43.5 [[Miles per hour|mph]]) on a two-lane expressways, but 80 km/h (approximately 49.71 mph) if it is divided by a [[cable barrier]]. The speed limit is also always 80 km/h for a motor vehicle with a [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]] and a [[three-wheeler]], and also for trucks with a GVWR over 8 t and maximum load over 5 t, before April 2024, when the speed limit for heavy trucks was raised from 80 to 90 km/h (approximately 55.92341 mph). Otherwise, the speed limit on a divided expressway is (unless a lower speed is posted) 120 km/h (approximately 74.6 mph), except for a bus with a [[Gross vehicle weight rating|GVWR]] over 3.5 t, which is speed limited to 100 km/h (approximately 62.14 mph), and a truck  with a GVWR over 3.5 t and maximum 8 t, which is also speed limited to 100 km/h.

Vehicles unable to reach a speed over 50&nbsp;km/h (31.06856 mph), such as a [[tractor]] or [[moped]], are not permitted on an expressway.<ref>{{cite book
  | author = The Traffic Bureau of the National Police Agency
  | title = Rules of the Road
  | year = 2001
  | pages = 72–74
  | publisher = Japan Automobile Federation}}</ref> [[Variable speed limit|Variable speed limits]] are also in effect on most expressways and speeds are temporarily reduced due to adverse driving conditions.

Many rest facilities such as [[parking area]]s (usually only with toilets or small shops) and [[Rest area|service areas]] (usually with many more amenities such as [[restaurant]]s and [[gas station]]s) serve travellers along national expressways.

===Route numbering===
On October 24, 2016, the Japanese [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] had introduced a new format of [[route number|route numbering]] system for national expressways.<ref name="route_number1">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/sign/numbering/en/index.html |title=Japan's Expressway Numbering System |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] of Japan |access-date=2017-08-22 }}</ref> Expressway route numbers begin with the prefix '''E''' or '''C''' (for circular route) followed by their respective numbers. Expressway routes are numbered according to the parallel [[National highways of Japan|national highway]] routes; for example, the [[Tōmei Expressway|E1 Tomei Expressway]] runs parallel with the [[Japan National Route 1|National Route 1]]. However, there are exceptions in this rule, and some expressways that are assigned with the two-digit numbers greater than 59 which are not used for the national highway route numbers. The [[Tsugaru Expressway|E64 Tsugaru Expressway]] is an example of this exception as it parallels [[Japan National Route 101|National Route 101]].<ref name="route_number2" />

If more than one expressway runs parallel with a national highway route, the newer expressway within the corridor or one that deviates further from the national highway route may carry the suffix '''A''' at the end of its route number. For example, the [[Chūgoku Expressway]] and [[San'yō Expressway]] both run in parallel along the [[Japan National Route 2|National Route 2]] corridor. The San'yō Expressway is assigned the route code of '''E2''' for running closer to the path of National Route 2 through the coastal cities, and the Chūgoku Expressway which runs further inland is assigned the route number of '''E2A'''.<ref name="route_number2">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/sign/numbering/en/about/index.html |title=What is the Expressway Numbering System? |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] of Japan |access-date=2017-08-22 }}</ref>

===Tolls===
National expressways are often tolled, with the {{convert|325.5|km|mi|1|}} journey from [[Tokyo]] to [[Nagoya]] on the [[Tōmei Expressway]] costing ¥7,100 in tolls for an ordinary car.<ref>{{cite book
  |title=Zen-Nippon Dōro Chizuchō |script-title=ja:全日本道路地図帖 |trans-title=All-Japan Road Atlas
  | year = 2003
  | publisher = Tokyo Chizu Shuppan
  | page = 155}}</ref> According to the Japan Times, expressway tolls in Japan are three times as high as in France.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Japan's ever-increasing 'temporary' road tolls are here to stay |date=9 April 2016 
 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/09/business/japans-ever-increasing-temporary-road-tolls-stay/ 
  | publisher = The Japan Times}}</ref>

With a few exceptions, tolls on national expressways are based on distance travelled. When entering the expressway, one collects a ticket, which can be inserted along with the fare into a machine or handed to an attendant upon exiting the expressway.  There is also an [[Electronic toll collection|Electronic Toll Collection]] (ETC) card system installed in many cars which automatically pays at the toll gate.  As of 2001 toll fees consist of a 150 [[yen]] terminal charge plus a fee which depends on the distance travelled.  The rate of this fee depends on the type of vehicle as shown in the following table.<ref name="develop" />

{| class="wikitable"
!Type of vehicle
!Rate in yen/km
!Rate in yen/mile
|-
|Light car and motorcycle
|19.68
|31.49
|-
|Ordinary passenger car
|24.60
|39.36
|-
|Small and medium-sized truck
|29.52
|47.23
|-
|Large-sized truck
|40.59
|64.94
|-
|Special large-sized full trailer
|67.65
|108.24
|}

Tolls are always rounded to the nearest 10 yen and include [[consumption tax]]. If there are two or more possible routes from the entrance to the exit, the toll will be calculated based on the shortest (cheapest) route.

Tolls collected from all routes are pooled into a single fund and are used to repay the entire network.<ref name="private">{{cite conference|first1=Fumitoshi |last1=Mizutani| first2=Shuji |last2=Uranishi |conference=46th Congress for the European Regional Science Association | year=2006 | location=Volos, Greece| url= http://www-sre.wu-wien.ac.at/ersa/ersaconfs/ersa06/papers/226.pdf | title= Privatization of the Japan Highway Public Corporation: Policy Assessment | access-date= 2008-04-11 }}</ref> It is expected that all national expressways in Japan will be fully repaid 45 years after privatization (2050).<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.jehdra.go.jp/english/framework.html | title= Framework of Agency's Business|publisher=Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency | access-date= 2008-04-13 }}</ref>

Some future national expressways are planned to be built according to the New Direct Control System, whereby national and local governments will absorb the burden for expressway construction<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-nexco.co.jp/activity/const/new_technique.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731003001/http://www.e-nexco.co.jp/activity/const/new_technique.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-31 |title=Cooperation on New Direct Control System Sections (新直轄方式区間への協力 Shinchokkatsu Hōshiki Kukan e no Kyōryoku) |access-date=2008-04-13 }}</ref> and operate toll-free upon completion.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/wordbox/display/539/ | title= New Direct Control System (新直轄方式) | publisher= Nishinippon Shimbun Wordbox | access-date= 2008-04-13 | language= ja | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090629124521/http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/wordbox/display/539/ | archive-date= 2009-06-29 }}</ref>

==Urban expressways==
{{Main|Urban Expressways (Japan)}}
[[Image:Shuto Expressway 01.JPG|thumb|[[Shuto Expressway]] in [[Tokyo]]]]
[[Image:Shutoko-YamateTunnel.JPG|thumb|[[Yamate Tunnel]] in Tokyo is the [[List of longest road tunnels|world's third longest road tunnel.]]]]
{{nihongo|'''Urban expressways'''|都市高速道路|Toshi Kōsokudōro}} are intra-city expressways that are found in many of Japan's largest urban areas. Due to the nature of urban expressways going through dense urban areas combined with weak [[eminent domain]] powers in Japan, urban expressways have much lower design speed compared to national expressways and are constructed as viaducts or as underground tunnels along existing arterial roads.

The two largest urban expressway networks are the [[Shuto Expressway]] in the [[Tokyo]] area and the [[Hanshin Expressway]] in the [[Osaka]] area. There are other smaller networks in [[Nagoya]], [[Hiroshima]], [[Kitakyūshū]], and [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]]. Each network is managed separately from each other (the [[Fukuoka Expressway|Fukuoka]] and [[Kitakyūshū]] Expressways are managed by the [[Fukuoka-Kitakyushu Expressway Public Corporation|same company]] but are not physically connected to each other).

==Safety==
In 2019, there were 163 fatalities, 527 serious injuries and 11,702 minor injuries on all expressways, all of which were lower than in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.e-stat.go.jp/en/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00130002&tstat=000001027457&cycle=7&year=20190&month=0|title = Statistics about Road Traffic Annual report Yearly 2019 &#124; File &#124; Browse Statistics}}</ref>

{{Graph:Chart
|type=line
|x=2009,	2010,	2011,	2012,	2013,	2014,	2015,	2016,	2017,	2018,	2019
|y1=18,	19,	21,	21,	20,	18,	18,	16,	14,	14,	13,
|yAxisMin=0
|legend=Fatalities per 1000 kilometers of expressways
|y1Title=Fatalities per 1000 kilometers of expressways
|yAxisTitle=Fatalities per 1000 kilometers
|xAxisTitle=Year
|width=320
|height=180
|xGrid=1
|yGrid=1
}}
{{Graph:Chart
|type=line
|x=2009,	2010,	2011,	2012,	2013,	2014,	2015,	2016,	2017,	2018,	2019
|y1=179,   	191,   	217,   	225,   	227,   	204,   	215,   	196,   	169,   	173,   	163   
|yAxisMin=0
|legend=Fatalities on expressways
|y1Title=Fatalities on expressways
|yAxisTitle=Fatalities
|xAxisTitle=Year
|width=320
|height=180
|xGrid=1
|yGrid=1
}}

{{Graph:Chart
|type=pie
|width=160
|x=Front carelessness, Failure to confine traffic movement, Failure to make safety check, Driving at unsafe speed, Other violation of safe driving practices, 
Improper steering and/or braking,
Speeding,
Drunk driving,
Distance between vehicles,
Passage change,
Driving while fatigued
|y1=3304   ,1659   ,862   ,59   ,120   ,605,56  ,0   ,119  , 120   ,14   
|y2=9,9,9,9,9,8,7,7,7,7,6,6,6,6
|legend=Japanese traffic accidents on expressways by type of violation
|showValues=
}}


{{Graph:Chart
|type=pie
|width=160
|legend=Japanese traffic accidents on expressways by type of accident
|showValues=
|x=Multiple vehicle Rear-end collision at Passing,
Multiple vehicle Rear-end collision at Traveling,
Multiple vehicle Rear-end collision at Lane stop,
Multiple vehicle Rear-end collision at Shoulder stop,
Other Multiple vehicle Rear-end collision,
Multiple vehicle Collision contact,
Other Multiple vehicle accident,
Single vehicle with Guard fence ...,
Single vehicle with Central reservation ...,
Other Single vehicle,
Person and vehicle
|y1=61  , 
1817   ,
2952  , 
19   ,
266   ,
747  , 
717 ,  
172,
99,
{{#expr:444-172-99}},
71
|y2=9,9,9,9,9,9,9,8,8,8,7
}}

==Others==
[[Image:Japan road sign 325.svg|thumb|This sign indicates entrances to expressway-standard roads.]]
All roads in Japan that are built to expressway standards (including national and urban expressways themselves) are known as {{nihongo|'''Roads for motor vehicles only'''|自動車専用道路|Jidōsha Senyō Dōro}}. If a road for motor vehicles only cannot be classified as a national or urban expressway, it may be classified into one of the following categories.

*{{nihongo|'''[[National highways of Japan|National highway]] for motor vehicles only with national expressway concurrency'''|高速自動車国道に並行する一般国道自動車専用道路|Kōsoku Jidōsha Kokudō ni Heikōsuru Ippan Kokudō Jidōsha Senyō Dōro}}
**Roads in this category are built to facilitate future incorporation into the main route of a national expressway. Examples include the [[Michinoku Toll Road]], the [[Higashi-Mito Road]] and the [[Futtsu Tateyama Road]].
*{{nihongo|'''National highway for motor vehicles only'''|一般国道の自動車専用道路|Ippan Kokudō no Jidōsha Senyō Dōro}}
**Roads in this category are national highways built to expressway standards as designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Examples include the [[Ken-Ō Expressway]] and the [[Tōkai-Kanjō Expressway]].

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050528081500/http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/index_e.html Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Road Bureau]{{in lang|en}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060513151538/http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/contents03/3-1-2.html Map of expressway routes] {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.driveplaza.com/ 全国の高速道路ガイド]　{{in lang|ja}}

{{Expressways of Japan|state=expanded}}
{{Motorways in Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Expressways Of Japan}}
[[Category:Expressways in Japan|*]]
[[Category:Lists of roads in Japan]]
[[Category:Transport systems]]