Is it Okay for Buses to Say "No Cash Accepted" Anymore? ── Is the Rapid Expansion of "Completely Cashless Operations" the Last Resort to Protect Japan's Transportation?

In Japan, "completely cashless operations" on local bus routes, where passengers can only use IC cards or contactless payments, are rapidly spreading. This shift is driven by a severe crisis of deteriorating financial conditions for bus companies and a shortage of drivers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism explains that eliminating analog tasks such as handling cash, providing change, and managing fare boxes can lead to cost reductions of several billion yen annually and alleviate the burden on drivers. Maintaining unprofitable routes is challenging for bus services nationwide, and if buses are reduced or discontinued, it would severely impact the lives of the elderly. Therefore, the priority is not to "preserve cash" but to "preserve the routes themselves." However, does this not pose significant challenges for tourists unfamiliar with Japan and elderly individuals without IC cards? From the perspectives of convenience, fairness, and the future of transportation infrastructure, it is essential to examine the pros, cons, and challenges of going cashless.