The Kyushu Department of Transportation announced on January 24 that they will establish a new organization to help improve access to remote islands in the region. The decision was made in response to news that Goto Sangyo Kisen experienced severe financial difficulties and had to suddenly stop operating passenger ships in October last year. According to the Department of Transportation, a total of 88 routes connecting smaller islands across Kyushu’s seven prefectures to the mainland are currently in service. However, businesses fear that the declining population could have an adverse impact on their income and expenditure. The new organization consists of members from several different departments and will look to revitalize routes that are failing to attract interest. Source: Sankei News, 1/28/2019
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