Plug and Play Japan Joins Two Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Projects: 'COMmmmONS' and 'Project LINKS'

Plug and Play Japan (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Vincent Phillips) is pleased to announce its participation in two projects led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT): the regional transportation DX project "COMmmmONS" and "Project LINKS," which promotes the development, utilization, and open data initiatives within the land, infrastructure, and transport sectors. Through these initiatives, Plug and Play Japan will leverage its extensive domestic and international startup network, expertise in public-private partnerships, event design and operational capabilities, and ecosystem-building experience to address the challenges in regional transportation targeted by COMmmmONS and expand the scope of data utilization in the land and transport sectors as aimed by Project LINKS.

【Background】

Transportation is not merely a means for "movement"; it is the foundation supporting various economic and social activities, including commuting, medical visits, shopping, tourism, social interaction, and employment. The weakening of transportation networks can lead to reduced opportunities for consumption and employment, not just limited mobility and convenience. Furthermore, Japan's public transportation landscape has historically seen diverse private operators develop independently. This has resulted in fragmented services and data, leading to siloed business processes and persistent analog practices. Coupled with a declining birthrate, aging population, and labor shortages, it is recognized that maintaining the status quo is becoming increasingly difficult.

Given this situation, we recognize the need to view transportation challenges not just as "infrastructure issues," but as a foundation for regional economies that must be redesigned as a data-driven platform with a broader range of stakeholders. Through this engagement, we aim to create spaces and opportunities for diverse entities—including government, startups, large corporations, local municipalities, youth, the elderly, students, and women—to engage and participate.

【Project Overview】

・About COMmmmONS

COMmmmONS is a regional transportation DX project promoted by MLIT. It aims to overcome the "siloing of services, data, and business processes" in regional transportation. By integrally promoting digital utilization from the perspectives of (1) services, (2) data, (3) management, and (4) business processes, the project seeks to redesign regional transportation and implement it in society, thereby improving convenience, sustainability, and productivity.

COMmmmONS Website

・About Project LINKS

Project LINKS is a project that promotes the development, utilization, and open data initiatives within the land, infrastructure, and transport sectors. Its goal is to expand the potential of government-held data and lead to continuous, autonomous innovation. By integrating practical opportunities through events and workshops with continuous information dissemination, Project LINKS is expected to visualize concrete examples of data utilization in the land and transport sectors, thereby expanding the number of participants and use cases.