Response to Proposals for City Administration in January 2025

18 days

In the Minamiyama area, there are roads that have become difficult to pass despite being planned roads. I would like to see guidelines established, such as drawing a central line, to create lines that serve as driving guides.

At the Inagi Station South Rotary Intersection (near Sakae ENT Clinic), there is a left turn congestion when heading from Koyodai to Minamiyama. Could you please adjust the timing between the pedestrian signal turning red and the bicycle signal turning red?

Regarding the central fence that has been in place to prevent illegal crossings between Inagi Station and Inagi Chuo Bridge, there have been numerous U-turns at the end of the central fence leading to Hongonegata Street, and it seems more appropriate to remove it and convert it into a right turn lane. I strongly request the improvement of pedestrian and vehicle flow.

Regarding the redevelopment of pedestrian pathways around the north side rotary of Inagi Station, there are too many pedestrians shortcutting diagonally across the roadway. This is a design flaw in the town, and I would like it to be corrected as soon as possible. Additionally, the drainage in this rotary emits a foul odor in both summer and winter, so I would like measures to be taken.

We apologize for the inconvenience regarding the crosswalks and traffic signals. The crosswalks, traffic signals, and lane regulations are managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, which is the traffic manager.
Regarding the installation of white lines for vehicle guidance at the T-junction in the Minamiyama area, the city has already installed intersection markings as a safety measure, so there are no plans for further white line installations. However, we will install warning signs to ensure further safety.
Next, concerning the traffic signals at the Koyodai and Park Street Inagi Station South Exit rotary intersection, we will request the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to adjust the timing for the vehicle signals to switch to red to create a smoother traffic environment. Additionally, regarding lane maintenance, we will monitor the changes in vehicle traffic volume on Koyodai and Park Street after the roads in the Minamiyama area open and will discuss lane maintenance with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Next, regarding the intersection of Koyodai and Park Street and Hongonegata Street, we have been requesting the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to install traffic signals at the intersection, including the removal of the central divider, to allow right turns from the Minamiyama area to Hongonegata Street. Unfortunately, the installation has not yet been realized, but we will continue to request the installation of traffic signals at the intersection from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Next, regarding the sidewalk installed along the west side of the Inagi Station North Exit rotary and the Inagi Station North Exit bicycle parking lot, there is no crosswalk that allows direct crossing of Hongonegata Street. However, to prevent traffic accidents, we will install warning signs at that location to encourage the use of the existing crosswalk, advising pedestrians to cross to the west first before crossing Hongonegata Street as a measure against diagonal crossing.
Finally, regarding the catch basin at the Inagi Station North Exit rotary that you pointed out, upon checking the site, no unusual odors or blockages were found at this time. We will continue to manage it appropriately.
 

Management Division Maintenance and Repair Section / Traffic Measures Section

Regarding the sidewalk on Shiroyama Street

There are a lot of bicycles running at high speed on the sidewalks of Shiroyama Street. Although warning signs and poles have been installed, they are not effective at all. I think it would be good to install metal bollards in several places so that bicycles cannot pass without dismounting.

Regarding the bicycle measures on the sidewalk of Shiroyama Street that you requested, the city is implementing warning signs, post cones, and colored pavement on the sidewalk.
As further traffic safety measures, in addition to installing warning signs to encourage bicycles to use the roadway, we will also consider the installation of physical barriers, such as arch-shaped bollards, to physically reduce the speed of bicycles using the sidewalk.

Traffic Measures Section, Management Division

About the bicycle parking at Inagi Station

I live in the Minamiyama area, but there is only a bicycle parking lot at the north exit of Inagi Station, so I have to pass the station, go down the slope, and take a long detour. It would be helpful if a bicycle parking lot could be established at the south exit as well.

Regarding access from the Minamiyama area to the Inagi Station North Exit bicycle parking lot, which you inquired about, due to the presence of a central median at the intersection of Hongone Nakata Street and Koyodai Park Street, it is not possible to make a right turn, and therefore, a detour is necessary.
At the same intersection of Koyodai Park Street and Hongone Nakata Street, we have been requesting the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to remove the central median and install traffic signals to allow a right turn from the Minamiyama area to Hongone Nakata Street. However, the police department has determined that due to the steep gradient of the road, it is not possible to remove the central median and create an intersection.
As a city, we will continue to request the installation of an intersection and traffic signals from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Additionally, regarding the request for a new bicycle parking lot at the Inagi Station South Exit, there are currently no plans due to the availability of space at the Inagi Station North Exit bicycle parking lot and the difficulty in securing land at the South Exit. However, we would like to keep an eye on the usage of the Inagi Station North Exit bicycle parking lot in conjunction with the progress of urban development in the Minamiyama area in the future.

Traffic Measures Section, Management Division

4

About Inagi Oshitate Nishi Intersection

When trying to turn right onto Ginkgo Avenue from the Higashi-Naganuma direction at the Inagi Oshitate West intersection, it is often difficult to see oncoming vehicles going straight due to the right-turning vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Since large trucks also frequently come off the highway, I would like measures to be taken, such as implementing a right-turn arrow signal, if possible.

The installation and management of traffic signals are carried out by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, which is the traffic management authority.
As a city, we will request the Tama Central Police Station, which oversees Inagi City, to install right turn arrow signals at the intersections where requests have been made.

Traffic Measures Section, Management Division

Suggestions about i-Bus

Inagi City, in light of the future demographic trends, particularly the rapid aging of the population, the presence of buses as a means of transportation will become a very important administrative issue in enhancing the value of the community.
Based on this situation, we would like to make the following proposals.

• Establishment of a non-profit organization specialized in bus operations
• Support companies for NPOs include Inagi City, railway companies, schools, supermarkets, hospitals, and more.
• As an operational policy, establish a shuttle transport system with each route being within 15 minutes one way. It will serve as a means of transportation connecting residential areas with railways, shopping areas, and medical institutions.
• Lay the shortest route connecting the railway, schools, supermarkets, and hospitals (with several stops placed as needed within that section)
• Establish the shortest routes connecting bus stops and railways for each residential area and condominium.

Regarding the issue of bus driver shortages, we will employ Inagi City employees with the same employment and salary system, while providing additional allowances for bus drivers and qualifications.
The ownership and maintenance costs of bus vehicles will be outsourced to bus companies such as Odakyu Bus.
The current i-bus has a long, single-route line with few buses. The fare system is rigid, and there are operational challenges such as the inefficiency of bus stop locations.

Regarding the "Proposal for i-Bus" that you inquired about, the establishment of an NPO specializing in bus operations supported by the city, is recognized as a form of transportation that falls under the category of "paid passenger transport by private automobiles" as defined by the Road Transport Act, specifically as "paid transport in transportation vacant areas."
When implementing this form of transportation, discussions will be held at the "Inagi City Regional Public Transport Council," which is composed of representatives from each Neighborhood Association, civic groups, bus operators, police, and other members, regarding matters necessary for realizing transportation services that reflect local conditions, as a statutory council based on the Road Transport Act. It will be necessary to thoroughly consider the utilization of buses and taxis operated by existing transport operators under the classification of "Passenger Automobile Transport Business" or "General Passenger Automobile Transport Business" as defined by the Road Transport Act, and if it is determined that providing transportation services is still difficult, safety measures such as operation management and maintenance management will be established, and registration with the transport bureau will be sought for utilization.
Furthermore, the prerequisite for "paid transport in transportation vacant areas" refers to areas where taxis are not dispatched within 30 minutes on a regular basis, and currently, there are no areas within the city that fall under the proposed paid operation.
Regarding the proposal on the "Current Issues of i-Bus Operations," to comply with the revised standards for improving the working hours of automobile drivers, which came into effect on April 1, 2024, there is a serious shortage of drivers for i-Bus, leading to requests for a review of the operation routes and frequency from Odakyu Bus, which operates the i-Bus.
The city will engage in discussions about appropriate bus operations within the city, taking into account the current situation surrounding existing bus operators, including the opinions proposed at the "Inagi City Regional Public Transport Council" explained earlier.

Traffic Measures Section, Management Division

21 days

About the Cultural Center's Refrigerator

Only the Central Cultural Center does not have the power outlet turned on in the refrigerators at each cultural center, and I have to contact them the day before to have the outlet turned on every time I use it.
The bottom freezer is dirty, so I would like it to be cleaned. Also, I would like the drawers that have items in them to be labeled so that they can be easily identified. Have the people using the refrigerator been informed that the power outlet is not turned on?

We sincerely apologize for not having turned on the power to the refrigerator in the Central Community Center practice room, despite your prior notification.
The location of the refrigerator and its cleanliness were checked by our staff, and it has been placed in a position that can be used without any issues. Additionally, we did not find any dirt, but we cleaned it just in case.
We also confirmed the labels on the dish cabinet in the practice room, and they were displayed in a way that makes the stored items clear.
Please note that, from an energy-saving perspective, we turn off the power to equipment that is not used regularly.

Lifelong Learning Division Social Education / Community Center Section

About the Consumer Affairs Center

What is the current monthly usage, and how much does it amount to annually? It seems that only the neighbors are using it, but is there no plan to relocate it to the Community Promotion Plaza or similar? There have been discussions about it being inconvenient to go there, and the number of buses has decreased, making it difficult to access, so I would like it to be closer to the Consumer Affairs Center.

The Inagi City Consumer Affairs Center has been established since 1996, renting part of the 3rd floor of the Pal System Cooperative Association Inagi Office located at 2111 Momura.
As facilities of the Inagi City Consumer Affairs Center, there are a lecture room equipped with a kitchen and a consultation room where consumer consultation staff are stationed. In the Fiscal Year 2023, the lecture room was used 28 times, and there were 441 consumer consultations, including phone consultations.
Regarding the relocation of the Inagi City Consumer Affairs Center, there is no room to establish the center in the proposed City Hall or Community Promotion Plaza, and it is difficult to open a facility with a lecture room and consultation room nearby City Hall at the same rental price (97,680 yen/month). Therefore, there are currently no plans for relocation. We appreciate your understanding of this situation and kindly ask you to continue using public transportation to access the Inagi City Consumer Affairs Center.

Citizen Collaboration Division Citizen Consultation Section