Local News

Ayame Murakami, the first female bus guide in Japan, died of old age in Beppu, Oita Prefecture on March 30th. She was 98 years old. After graduating from high school in 1928, Ms. Murakami was hired by a local company to serve as a female conductor, the forerunner of today’s bus guides. The bus on which she worked toured local hot springs areas. She held the job for six years. Ms. Murakami was so well-liked, a group of her admirers plan to hold a special party in her honor at a Beppu hotel on April 26.