Japan is in its peak season with crowds of tourists flocking to it every day. Some of them, coming mainly from the gadget-loving Asia region, already encounter trouble upon entering the country because they arrive with electric suitcases that can be ridden.
Two major Japanese airports have already issued a demand for travelers not to travel with motorized luggage within their territory. According to the Kyodo news agency, the police even contacted local businesses and asked them to warn their customers about the strict laws regarding their use.
In recent years, motorized suitcases powered by lithium batteries have become more common among travelers. Those who follow gossip sites, must have seen Paris Hilton racing on one not too long ago.הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
But despite travelers' love for anything that makes their journey easier, Japan currently classifies electric luggage as "motorized vehicles that can be driven on roads only with the required safety equipment and a driver's license." Last June, a Chinese woman was even sued for driving without a license, after riding a three-wheeled suitcase on the sidewalk. According to traffic laws, the suitcase can travel up to 13 km per hour, so it is classified as a "motorized bicycle", which requires a license.
The Japanese's struggle with motorized luggage comes after traffic offenses related to electric scooters increased fourfold in the last six months. The reason for the dramatic increase stems from a series of concessions they gave just a year ago, allowing people over the age of 16 to ride them without a driver's license. Now, the Japanese will have to recalculate a route again and deal with the riders that flood the big cities.