"Shared Seat Block" on Express Buses: Reserving the Adjacent Seat and Then Canceling Last Minute—Where Does It Become Illegal? Measures by Operators and Guidelines for Users

1. What is Happening: The Tactics and Damage of "Shared Seat Blocking"

Reserving two seats (side by side) for one person and canceling one just before departure to leave the adjacent seat empty. Although it appears as a "normal cancellation," the repeated reservation and last-minute cancellation intended to leave the adjacent seat empty deprives other users of reservation opportunities, resulting in one extra empty seat on the actual vehicle, causing revenue loss and operational disruption. Such actions have been highlighted in the media as "shared seat blocking," and it has been pointed out that services that allow refunds for a small fee even at the last minute are being exploited. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and LawyersLivedoor News

2. Voices from the Field and Initial Responses from Bus Companies

JR Bus Chugoku acknowledged the existence of damage and, along with fare revisions from September 1, 2025, introduced deterrent measures such as strict refund fees for some services (e.g., 50% up to 2 hours before departure, 100% after 2 hours). Additionally, they are exploring countermeasures in collaboration with other companies, such as shortening the period from reservation to purchase and limiting the number of seats that can be reserved at one time. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and LawyersJR Bus Chugoku Co., Ltd.

A similar initiative of "automatic cancellation of unpaid reservations and advancing payment deadlines" has been implemented from July 1, 2024, on the **Shinjuku to Fuji Five Lakes Line (Keio & Fujikyu)**. To prevent unpaid "seat holding," the automatic cancellation deadlines for both phone and web reservations have been strictly enforced. Fujikyu Busfujiexpress.co.jpkeio-bus.com

3. Why is it Becoming More Serious Now? The Mismatch Between Demand Recovery and Supply Constraints

The demand for long-distance buses, which had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, is on a recovery trend, with some weeks reaching levels above pre-COVID averages, while the number of services remains below in some weeks, according to public data. While usage is returning, there is a shortage of vehicles and drivers, so even if there are last-minute cancellations and empty seats appear, there is no time to refill them, directly leading to a loss of actual revenue. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and LawyersMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and TourismMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Institute for Transport Policy Studies

4. Legal Issues: Civil (Tort) and Criminal (Fraudulent Obstruction of Business)

4-1. Civil Liability (Tort, Civil Code Article 709)

If someone reserves two seats without intending to use both and cancels one just before departure, causing the business damage exceeding the cancellation fee (such as loss of sales opportunities), tort liability may be established, according to lawyers. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and Lawyers

The general provision of tort (Civil Code Article 709) stipulates that a person who intentionally or negligently infringes the rights or legal interests of others shall be liable for damages. Law Search

4-2. Criminal Liability (Fraudulent Obstruction of Business, Penal Code Article 233)

Pretending to have the intention to use and repeatedly canceling at the last minute, thereby obstructing the business of seat sales may constitute fraudulent obstruction of business. The statutory penalty is imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Of course, the factual determination and intention of each case are key points, but it is certain that there are cases that cannot be dismissed as merely "moral violations." Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and LawyersLaw SearchConsult a Lawyer at Daylight Law Office

※The above are general discussions, and the final judgment depends on individual specific circumstances. Please consult a specialist in case of trouble.

5. Redesigning Reservation and Sales Rules: Keys to Effective Deterrence

• Advancing payment deadlines and automatic cancellation of unpaid reservations (eliminating "tentative seat holding") Fujikyu Busfujiexpress.co.jp

• Dynamic cancellation fees based on time (higher rates just before departure) JR Bus Chugoku Co., Ltd.

• Limiting the number of reservations per account and detecting multiple reservations on the same service (using logic similar to BOT and resale countermeasures)

• Automatically promoting the resale of empty seats just before departure (enhancing the UI for standby sales)

• Industry-wide common policies (minimizing "rule differences" between services)

6. UX that Saves "Legitimate Needs": Institutionalizing Adjacent Seat Options

It is also important not to lead the need of "not wanting anyone to sit next to you" into violations of regulations.

• Paid options for "adjacent seat reservation" (raising prices during busy periods to incentivize easing congestion)

• Expanding comfortable seats (1+2 arrangement) vehicles and single front-row seats

• Explicit lineup of **safe and quiet vehicles (night and women-priority, etc.)**

By organizing these as official products, the appeal of illegal shared seat blocking can be diminished, guiding people to lawful options.

7. Passenger Guidelines: Drawing the Line on What Not to Do

• Repeated "reservation → last-minute cancellation" for the purpose of securing adjacent seats can be considered tortious acts or obstruction of business and is strictly prohibited. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and Lawyers

• If a cancellation is unavoidable, try to cancel as early as possible to return the opportunity to other users.

• If you seek wider seats or a quiet environment, choose the official options or higher categories offered by the service provider.

• If you witness nuisance behavior, avoid escalating it into a conflict onboard and provide information to the service provider afterward.

8. Ending the "Cat-and-Mouse Game" with Rules and Data

JR Bus Kanto issued a warning on their official X before Golden Week, but there are voices saying that relying solely on the presumption of good faith has its limits. Along with considering policy and industry guidelines, by advancing the design of reservation, payment, and resale algorithms and developing adjacent seat options as part of the UX, the balance between freedom and fairness can be restored. X (formerly Twitter)Shueisha Online