On October 28, 2025, the closing ceremony for the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program "Comprehensive City Planning" was held, marking the successful completion of a five-week training program. This program was attended by 17 government officials responsible for urban planning and development from 14 countries. As the implementing partner, ALMEC was responsible for planning and preparation, program operation, and providing technical advice to enhance participants' learning and to assist in formulating their action plans.
This year, 17 government officials of 14 countries responsible for urban planning and urban development joined the program. The program provided a wide range of lectures on Japan’s urban planning and development projects, as well as transportation and disaster prevention. This year’s program also included a study visit to Hiroshima City, where participants learned about the city’s history and reconstruction from the damages of the atomic bombing, urban development with tram network, river management and utilization, and civic pride with local sport teams. Through these activities, participants gained insights from Japan’s experience and expertise, and considered what is needed to address urban issues in their home countries. Each of the 17 participants developed and presented an action plan targeting the specific challenges of their respective countries.
Some of participants in this program are counterparts in ongoing JICA technical cooperation projects or are expected to become future cooperation partners. Therefore, the program provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen a professional network that will contribute to advancing international cooperation in the urban sector.
During the closing ceremony, participants shared the knowledge and relationships cultivated throughout the program, reaffirming that this training serves as a catalyst for expanding opportunities for international collaboration.
ALMEC remains committed to working closely with JICA and stakeholders in partner countries to share Japan’s knowledge in urban planning with the world, contributing to sustainable urban development and the advancement of international cooperation. (Nov. 2025)

Area of business concerned: "02 RUrban Development Planning"

ALMEC held the seminar The Survey on Long-term Outcomes of the “Comprehensive Urban Development Programme in Hanoi Capital City” (HAIDEP) “ on November 6 in Hanoi, Vietnam. This seminar was organized as part of a study conducted by JICA’s Evaluation Department to assess the achievements and development process of the integrated urban development master plan (HAIDEP), which was formulated 20 years ago under a JICA technical cooperation project, and to draw lessons for future urban development. Approximately 70 participants attended, including officials from Hanoi City and central government agencies, as well as researchers from academic institutions.
The seminar opened with remarks from Mr. Dao Minh Tam, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Authority for Urban Planning and Architecture, and Mr. Yosuke Kobayashi, Chief Representative of the JICA Vietnam Office. Both speakers highlighted the significant contributions HAIDEP has made to Hanoi’s urban development and emphasized the continued relevance of its integrated planning approach even two decades after its formulation.
HAIDEP was designed as a pioneering master plan addressing urban structure, transportation, water environment, and living environment in a comprehensive manner. The current study confirmed that HAIDEP has played an important role in improving urban planning systems in Vietnam. It was also reported that several proposals under HAIDEP—such as the expansion of the road network and the development of drainage pump stations and sewerage systems—have been implemented, contributing to improvements in the city’s competitiveness and living and environmental conditions.
The public transport -oriented urban structure emphasized by HAIDEP continues to be the development policies of the Vietnamese government. In the second session of the seminar, the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) presented its ongoing efforts related to railway development and TOD (Transit-Oriented Development), which is followed by presentation of Japan’s experience. (Nov. 2025)

Area of business concerned: "02 Urban Development Planning"

Dr. Li from the Transport Planning Division, Overseas Department, has been selected for a two-year fellowship (2024–2026) at the Institute of Behavioral Sciences (IBS). His research theme is “The Development Process and Ex-Post Evaluation of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Systems in Taiwan.”
In Taiwan, three LRT lines have been developed and opened in two cities in recent years. In the first year, he reviewed relevant literature and conducted online interviews to summarize and analyze the planning concepts, development processes, urban policy measures, and urban development efforts associated with these LRT projects. An interim presentation of his first-year outcome was delivered in July 2025, followed by site visits and face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders in August. It was also confirmed that in Taiwan, transit-oriented development (TOD) and tax increment financing (TIF) schemes have facilitated private-sector development around station areas along the LRT corridor.
From the second year onwards, his research will extend to comparative studies with LRT systems in Japan, starting with Utsunomiya, in order to identify key challenges and lessons for future LRT development both domestically and internationally. He also aims to develop his findings into an academic paper for publication. (Oct. 2025)

Area of business concerned: "10 Research and Development"

The 16th Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) Conference 2025 was held in Surakarta (Solo), Indonesia, from September 1 to 4, 2025, and two of ALMEC members participated (see the link below) .
EASTS is an international academic society established in 1994 participated by transport experts of various countries and regions in Asia. At he international conference held every two years many professionals from academia, private sector, and government in the Asian region participate to exchange technology, knowledge, and information.
This year, 481 research papers were presented in oral and poster sessions. Among these, the paper "Study on Installation of Speed Humps as Traffic Safety Measures on Residential Roads in Bangkok" presented by Hiroto Sakai, our staff, and Specially Appointed Professor Atsushi Fukuda of the Department of Transportation Systems Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, was awarded the Best Paper Award.
ALMEC is a corporate member of EASTS-Japan.. ALMEC will continuously participate it to deepen and expand our knowledge and network.
ALMEC members presented the following papers at this year's conference. (Oct. 2025)

Presentation Slides by Hiroto Sakai and Atsushi Fukuda (PDF)

Presentation Slides by Takayoshi Futose (PDF)

Area of business concerned: "10 Research and Development"

Bangkok, 27 June 2025 – The Project Orientation Meeting for the Study on the Development of a Master Plan for Integrated National Highway Connectivity (10-Year Plan: 2028–2037) was officially inaugurated at the Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. The event was chaired by Mr. Pongphan Junngern, Deputy Director-General of Academic Affairs of the Department of Highways (DOH), and attended by government officials from the Ministry of Transport, DOH, and related state agencies responsible for infrastructure development.
This project aims to formulate a comprehensive 10-year plan to enhance the national highway network, focusing on seamless connectivity and support for all modes of transportation. The plan seeks to improve efficiency and alignment with national development goals at all levels, positioning Thailand as a regional hub for transport and logistics. It also emphasizes promoting balanced growth across major cities, minimizing environmental impacts, and ensuring equitable access to transportation services for citizens.
A keynote presentation led by Assoc. Prof. Panatda Kasikitwiwat, Project Manager Assoc. Prof. Sarawut Jansuwan, Transportation Engineer, Dr. Tithiwach Tansawat, Acting project Manager/Master planning specialist, Mr. Kannetee Natirojanachaicharn, Highway Engineer, and Dr.Kasem Pinthong, Geographic Information System Specialist outlined the project details. The session included a project introduction video, an overview of the project, an explanation of the study approach on traffic and transportation to support the integrated highway development plan, and a presentation on the preparation of the project list and master plan.
The event also provided an opportunity for participants from various organizations, including the DOH and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), to share constructive feedback and valuable suggestions for the project’s implementation. Key points focused on the compilation and preparation of the project list, as well as the integration with other transportation systems. (Aug. 2025)

Project website (in Thai)

Area of business concerned: "07 International and Regional Transportation Planning"

In Metro Manila, two urban railway lines are currently under construction with support from the Japanese government. With railway development, there is a growing interest in transit-oriented development (TOD). In this context, JICA has conducted “the Project for Capacity Development Project for TOD in the Philippines” to promote TOD by fostering collaboration and mutual understanding among a wide range of stakeholders. Based on discussions during the project so far, a TOD Dissemination Seminar was held in Makati on June 5, 2025.
The seminar began with a presentation by the JICA Expert Team outlining the key project achievements. This was followed by presentations from key Philippine government agencies, including the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), sharing their respective TOD initiatives and efforts.
In addition, the Urban Renaissance Agency (UR) of Japan presented insights from Japan’s TOD experiences. A panel discussion then brought together government officials from both Japan and the Philippines to discuss how to promote TOD through collaboration with the Local Government Units (LGUs). Using Slido, an online survey application, participants’ questions and comments were reflected in the discussions in real time, creating an interactive and engaging atmosphere. (Jun. 2025)

We are currently involved in the “Data Collection Survey on Climate Change Mitigation Effects of Public Transportation Shift in Lima and Callao Metropolitan Area(Climate Action）”, which aims to introduce a Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) scheme for climate actions in the public transport sector.
During our field survey, we observed a unique form of tactile paving installed on sidewalks in the Miraflores District, a major business area in Lima. Known as SightWalks (Veredas que Guían), this system was developed by the local manufacturer Cemento Sol. Between the regular braille blocks, special blocks are installed in front of buildings that have 1 to 10 lines engraved in a different direction. The number of the vertical lines serve as codes to describe the types of facility as below:

• One vertical line indicates a restaurant
• Two vertical lines indicate a bank
• Three vertical bars indicate a grocery store

By counting the number of vertical lines, pedestrians with visual impairments can identify the type of facility in front of them. This simple and intuitive solution makes urban services more accessible to people with disabilities and is easy to implement in the short term.
However, we also found cases where tactile paving was blocked by fences or garbage bags. This reminded us that to build a truly inclusive society, we need not only innovation but also proper maintenance and respect for basic rules. (Jun. 2025)

As a part of “The Project for Urban Mobility Improvement in Kigali”, a technical assistance project funded by JICA, we have conducted the several pilot project to improve the city bus service in Kigali, Rwanda.

Pilot Project 1: Scheduled Operation of Bus Transport
From January 16 to 29th, the scheduled bus operation of the target route (#203: Nyanza- Downtown) was implemented. Traditionally, the buses don’t depart the terminal until the seats are fully occupied by passengers, therefore, the passengers can’t predict the travel time. The bus ridership has been gradually reduced due to the emergence of motorcycle taxi services.
According to the questionnaire survey we’ve conducted during the pilot project, over 90 % of the users are satisfied with the operation. On the other hand, the average load-factor in off-peak hours are much less than the capacity, showing the needs to improve the implemented operation schedule (10 minutes for peak hours and 15 minutes for off-peak, 20 minutes for weekends) . The result of the pilot project is a very important implication for the bus operation planning in Kigali.

Pilot Project 2: Bus Terminal Improvement
The main objective of the pilot project is to enhance the convenience and safety of the bus terminal. In Remera Bus-Park, one of the main bus terminals in the city, the bus and car parking space is successfully optimized and thus the vehicle and passenger flow are improved through soft measures such as installing lane markings, cones, guide signs, and information boards, without huge civil works.
According to the questionnaire survey we’ve conducted, over 50% of the users answered that there were improvements in various aspects. Especially, more than 90% of users answered that “Overall Satisfaction”,” Information Provision”, and “Visibility” are improved. These findings and lessons learnt can be utilized for other bus terminal. (Jun. 2025)

The New Times: Rwanda: What Commuters Make of Kigali's Scheduled Public Transport System

On May 26, Dr. Varsolo C. Sunio and four students from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in the Philippines visited ALMEC Corporation as a part of their technical visit to Tokyo. The visit aims to provide students with a valuable opportunity to learn from Japan's cutting-edge academic institutions and global companies, and to utilize this opportunity in their future career development.
During their visit to ALMEC, in addition to an overview of the company profile, we introduced our experience in implementing overseas and domestic projects.
In the presentation on overseas projects, we touched on the overview of Japan's international cooperation scheme and introduced efforts by showing photos in various countries mainly in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Through exploring the actual situation of each region, we have been providing development support to address the diverse challenges and to propose measures that are tailored to local characteristics.
Moreover, when introducing the case of urban planning and transport planning projects in Japan, in particular, the barrier-free measures drew much interest from the participants, and they exchanged their experiences during the Q&A session.
We are very pleased that this visit was a meaningful opportunity for participants to learn directly from the field in Japan. ALMEC will continue to contribute to global human resource development through such international exchanges. (May 2025)

ALMEC actively joins JICA internship program. During internship program, interns attend project meetings, go site visits, collect relevant information, and conduct research according to their interests. Through these experiences, they gain valuable insights into our work and the realities of urban and transport development in emerging countries.
In the summer of 2024, we hosted two interns at our Manila office as part of the " Project for Capacity Enhancement for Transit Oriented Development in the Philippines". One of our interns, Mr. Junpei MARUNO (a third-year student at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Saitama University at that time), has published an article on the JICA Partner website. In the column, he details his motivations for applying for the internship, his experiences in Manila, and the key takeaways from the program. We highly encourage you to read his insightful article. (Apr. 2025)

JICA Partner website (Japanese only)

Three ALMEC experts are participating in the on-going “The Project for Introduction of Urban Transport Management in Kathmandu Valley” of JICA, where they are responsible for areas such as intersection improvement, road safety awareness activities, behavior change, and gender considerations.
In Kathmandu, behaviors such as ignoring traffic signals or crossing roads without using pedestrian crossings remain widespread due to ingrained habits, weak enforcement, and low risk perception. Despite continuous safety campaigns by the Kathmandu Traffic Police, traffic violations by drivers and pedestrians still occur. Moreover, the Kathmandu Traffic Police rely heavily on manual traffic control, which in many other countries is handled by automated traffic signals, leaving limited resources available for enforcement.
ALMEC’s road safety expert has supported the capacity building of the police by delivering seminars and training sessions introducing successful case studies from other countries, proposing improvements in enforcement strategies, emphasizing the importance of gender considerations in traffic, and facilitating discussions on how to respond to various enforcement scenarios. The presentation was also featured on the Kathmandu Police's official Facebook page.
In addition, the project is currently conducting pilot projects to install traffic signals. It is expected that with the future expansion of signal installation, the police will be able to shift their focus from manual traffic control to traffic enforcement. (Apr. 2025)

The Kathmandu Police's official Facebook page

Area of business concerned: "03 Urban Transportation Planning"

As a new initiative in urban transport in the Solomon Islands, the JICA project titled "Advisory Project for Urban Transport Management in Honiara" has been launched.
The project aims to improve the road traffic environment in the capital city of Honiara and to help establish a safe and convenient public bus system.
Three experts from ALMEC are participating in the project, providing support in the formulation of policies for public transport, proposals for roles and regulations related to bus operations, standards for road signage, and parking management strategies.
The kickoff meeting held with the counterpart organizations, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and Honiara City Council (HCC), was widely featured in local government communications and covered by the local media.
In Honiara, all public buses are privately owned. Due to the lack of sufficient regulation by public authorities, many buses do not follow designated routes. This has led to a decline in service quality, as well as urban transport issues such as traffic congestion.
We will continue to share updates and progress from our side, and through this project, we aim to contribute to making mobility in Honiara more comfortable and sustainable, ultimately supporting the growth and development of the local community. (Apr. 2025)

Solomon Islands government official website page

Area of business concerned: "03 Urban Transportation Planning"