Japan’s year-end exodus continues

Japanese travelers are crowding highways, train stations and airports as they head to their hometowns and leisure spots for the New Year holidays.

Airline companies say domestic flights departing Tokyo’s Haneda Airport were near capacity on Friday.

Japan Railways Group companies say that reserved seats for outbound Shinkansen trains are almost fully booked for Saturday, and they say congestion is expected to continue throughout the day.

Expressway operators say traffic jams will likely continue in some areas on Saturday.

They say congestion of 30 kilometers on the Tomei Expressway, and 20 kilometers on the Kanetsu expressway, is expected for Saturday morning.

Source and image: NHK