Despite Japan’s toll system being down for 38 hours, 24,000 drivers still paid

Japan’s toll system once went down for more than 38 hours.

Yet more than 24,000 drivers still paid the toll.

The incredible story took place in April of last year.

And it became a symbol of the honesty and trust of Japanese drivers.

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Japan’s toll system malfunctions for 38 hours

The toll system is a fairly common feature across the globe and is common on most highways.

Drivers approach the toll while slowing down, pay the fee, and then pass through the gate.

As you might have guessed, Japan is a country that employs this system very diligently.

But Japan’s toll system works perfectly – because of its people.

April 2025 saw the release of an incredible report from Japan Today.

According to the report, Japan’s ETC (electronic toll collection) system failed and was out of commission for more than a day.

Across the country,106 toll gates on the Tomei and Chuo Expressways in Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie were unable to read driver’s cards.

So, Japan’s toll system was faced with a dilemma; how could it proceed?

It turns out that expressway operator Central Nippon Expressway Co, also known as NEXCO Central, decided to open all the toll gates to let the cars pass through.

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24,000 drivers offer to pay their tolls

But what happened next was even more incredible.

Once the system was back up, NEXCO Central received a surreal offer.

It turned out, by 10pm on April 8th, more than 24,000 drivers offered to pay for their toll.

The following month, Japan’s toll system announced that it was waiving all tolls for affected drivers.

NEXCO Central also announced that anyone who had already paid would be refunded.

Most social media users were amazed at the interaction.

Many of the comments highlighted the incredibly trusting and respectful nature of Japanese society.

“Japan is a high-trust society,’ said one user.

“I’d pay too if I was getting services like in Japan,” was the view of another.

“I drove in Japan last year. The system is so good. You didn’t even have to stop at the toll gates,” said a third.

It is an incredible story that showcases the culture of Japan’s drivers.