Public transport project earns environmental award for YKK
Fastenings solutions provider YKK Corporation has received the grand prize in Japan’s Transportation Environment Awards. The award, presented by the country’s ministry for land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, is in recognition public transportation initiatives that YKK set up in Kurobe in central Japan, where the company has its global headquarters.
YKK began relocating corporate functions from Tokyo to Kurobe after a major earthquake in 2011. Its production and research and development headquarters were already in Kurobe.
Traffic problems followed because 90% of people travelled to YKK by car. “Traffic congestion on the roads around the YKK plant in the mornings and evenings, and the need to secure parking space had become problematic,” the company has said.
It then began working with the city authorities and transport companies to improve public transport. It set up a bus link for employees between the factory and the newly opened Kurobe-Unazukionsen train station in 2015. A year later, this service became part of the city’s public transport network, open to all citizens.
Later improvements led to the modernisation of bus shelters on the network and an electronic payment system.
Accepting the award, YKK executive vice-president, Shinichi Asano, said: “YKK will continue its efforts to create a sustainable society and contribute to local communities.”
