The latest issue of "Unso to Keizai" delves into the current state of US transportation, released July 7, 2026 (Tue)

The Institute for Transport Policy Studies (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Director: Shin Takahashi) will release the July issue of its specialized transportation research journal, "Unso to Keizai," on July 7, 2026 (Tue). The special feature theme is "The Current State of US Transportation - Approaching the 250th Anniversary of its Founding."

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. For the first time in 12 years, "Unso to Keizai" is dedicating a special issue to the United States.

The special feature examines transportation conditions, including public works by the two major parties, the macroeconomy, and cutting-edge mobility represented by autonomous taxis, as well as aviation and inland waterways, alongside various keywords describing American society such as "deaths of despair," "division," and "immigration."

This issue aims to deepen understanding of the changes in American society and transportation, and by looking towards the future, it serves as an opportunity to consider what implications these may hold for Japanese transportation.

Cover of "Unso to Keizai" July 2026 / Photos: Jun Kaida/PIXTA, Dogora Sun/PIXTA, Gabriele Maltinti Photography/PIXTA, gandhi/ PIXTA, iStock.com/BardoczPeter, photolibrary/yukiastheair, napitomo/photoAC

In the latter half of the journal, there are also serialized sections by a diverse range of contributors. Covering genres such as railway history, overseas case studies, literature, and economics, we recommend reading from whichever section interests you most.

Available for purchase on our institute's website and on Amazon.

About "Unso to Keizai": https://www.itej.or.jp/unkei

Official X (formerly Twitter) for "Unso to Keizai": https://x.com/ITEJ_unyukeizai

[Special Feature] Division and Confrontation in America: Impact on Transportation Policy

This special feature consists of a color frontispiece, an "Editor's Note" by the editorial committee members in charge, a "Special Interview" and a "Roundtable Discussion" with experts, six "Articles," and two "Columns."

In the special interview with Professor Maejima of Sophia University, we asked how societal changes symbolized by "cancel culture" and changes in administration affect public works, including transportation. America is in a state of "unprecedented division" and "unprecedented confrontation." We discussed the presidential election under these circumstances, the Trump administration's immigration policies, and transportation businesses in relation to both the Democratic and Republican parties.

In an article by Mr. Yokoyama of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, he provides an overview of the transportation situation on the US West Coast, where investment in new mobility is progressing, and considers points that should be noted for Japanese urban transportation and public transportation policy. The article introduces and discusses accidents and incidents involving autonomous taxis, and the feasibility of "flying cars," connecting to the content of "Unso to Keizai" June 2026 (Special Feature: The Future of Cars), which considered "The World Brought by Autonomous Vehicles."

The frontispiece includes a color-coded map of voting trends by state in the US presidential election, as well as color photographs related to the main content.

Purchase here

Table of Contents (Special Feature)

Table of Contents: Special Feature "The Current State of US Transportation - Approaching the 250th Anniversary of its Founding."

● Editor's Note "America the Great!" Kazunori Kato (Professor, Keio University)

● Special Interview "America on its 250th Anniversary: Policies and Public Investment of the Two Major Parties"

Kazuhiro Maejima (Professor, Sophia University)

Kazunori Kato (Professor, Keio University)

● Roundtable Discussion "The Current State of the US Economy and Transportation"

Toshiki Jishu (Professor, Kansai University)

Takeo Hanawa (Professor, Senshu University)

Kazunori Kato (Professor, Keio University)

● Articles

"Tech Transportation on the West Coast: Mobility Investment in Silicon Valley and the Future of Public Transportation" Kazushi Yokoyama (Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco)

"America's Never-Ending Commuting Debate ~Focusing on the New York Metropolitan Area~" Akihiko Reizei (Author/Journalist)

"The Significance of the 'Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act' ~Focusing on Amtrak~" Shunsuke Munakata (Associate Professor, Tokyo University of Technology Junior College)

● Column "The Twilight of an Immigrant Nation Born from Transportation Revolution: Examining the Current State of 'Freedom of Movement' on its 250th Anniversary" Hideyuki Shimotamai (Associate Professor, Meiji University)

● Articles

"US Aviation Conditions and Implications for Japan" Yoichi Hiroya / Fumihiro Honda (Daiwa Airborne)

"The Current State of Inbound Tourism Expanding in the Travel Giant USA" Masaru Matsumoto (Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO))

● Column "The History of Inland Waterways That Supported America" Masakazu Iizawa (Associate Professor, Kindai University)

● Articles

"Transportation Innovations from America ~Challenges and Current Status of New Mobility Values~" Kazuhiko Makimura (Research Center for Planning and Information, Professor, CoIU)

[Serial] Are There Kanto and Kansai Styles in Railways Too?

"Unso to Keizai" also features serializations by a diverse range of contributors in every issue.

In "The Full Picture of Tourist Train Business" (Part 4) by economic journalist Mr. Osaka, the JR West "Shinkansen 500 Series," which has remained highly popular since its debut in 1997, is featured, along with the Evangelion Shinkansen "500 TYPE EVA" and the Hello Kitty Shinkansen.

In "Cities, People, and Culture Created by Railways" (Part 28), railway researcher Mr. Iwanari writes on the theme of whether there are differences between Kanto and Kansai in "railways," not just in culinary flavors. He conveys the appeal of Kansai trains from a Kanto perspective, including crew and announcement characteristics, encompassing even the recent past.

Purchase here

Table of Contents (Serial)

Table of Contents: Serial

● The Full Picture of Tourist Train Business

"Evangelion, Hello Kitty... The Trajectory of Shinkansen 500 Series Character Trains" Naoki Osaka (Economic Journalist)

● European Railway Anecdotes

"Railway Network in Berlin, the Capital of Germany (Part 2)" Tomoyuki Hashizume (European Railway Photo Writer)

● Cities, People, and Culture Created by Railways

"Kanto and Kansai Styles of Railways" Masakazu Iwanari (Railway Researcher)

● Financial Strategies of Transportation Operators Explained Through Keywords

"Pricing Strategies for Enhancing Corporate Value (Railway Edition)" Ryota Himeno (J.P. Morgan Securities)

● Introduction to Transportation Economics

"The Mystery of the Initial Fare" Kenzo Takeuchi (Professor, Tokyo Woman's Christian University)

● Research Lab Introduction

"Resolution of Air Disputes - From National Conflicts to In-flight Troubles -" Mami Furuhata (Lecturer, Mukogawa Women's University)

● "From the Archives" of the Institute for Transport Policy Studies

● Japan Society of Transportation Studies [Summary of May Meeting, Kansai Chapter]

"Initiatives for Freight Transport Using Passenger Trains at Kintetsu" Shinichiro Hori (Kintetsu Railway)

"Current State of Ferry Services and Considerations for Maintenance" Haruhito Fukuda (Professor, Momoyama Gakuin University)

● Hachiya's Bookshelf - Transportation is Reading Material -

"Black Swan" Asumi Hachiya (Travel Writer)

How to Purchase "Unso to Keizai"

- Institute HP (https://trec.itej.or.jp/kounyu)

- Amazon (Purchase page on Amazon will be available after the release date of each issue)

- Shosen Grande (Jimbocho Station), Shosen Book Tower (Akihabara Station) (Latest issues are handled, but stock is limited). Please inquire at your nearest bookstore, as ordering may be possible.

About "Unso to Keizai"

A monthly specialized magazine on transport economics and management. Since its founding in 1947, it has contributed to the development of transportation research as a forum for presenting research and studies on all aspects of transportation. Aiming to help both academia and practice develop through mutual understanding and stimulation, we feature contributions not only from researchers but also from a wide range of people, including business operators and government officials.

Book Title: "Unso to Keizai"

Publisher: Institute for Transport Policy Studies

Publication Date: First day of each month

Specifications: B5 size / approx. 110 pages

Price: 1,100 yen (1,000 yen excluding tax)

Company Information

Company Name: Institute for Transport Policy Studies

Address: 34 Shinano-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Research and study projects, information services, secretariat of the Japan Society of Transportation Studies

HP: https://www.itej.or.jp/

Official X (formerly Twitter) for "Unso to Keizai": https://x.com/ITEJ_unyukeizai