42 Charter Bus Operators Receive Top Four-Star Safety Rating in Japan

The Charter Bus Operator Safety Rating Certification Committee has certified the safety of 1,918 charter bus operators under the Charter Bus Operator Safety Rating Certification System administered by the Japan Bus Association.

A total of 42 operators received the highest four-star rating. There were 772 three-star operators, 355 two-star operators, and 749 one-star operators. The total number of certified operators stands at 1,918, meaning that more than half of all charter bus operators in Japan had been certified as of the end of September. A total of 127 operators were newly certified.

The operators receiving the highest four-star rating are Jotetsu, Nakazato Kotsu, Rias Kanko, Toyoma Kanko Bus, Shorei Kotsu, Winds Travel, Tsubasa Kotsu Corporation, Iwaki Taxi (Iwaki Kanko Bus), Haccho Taxi, Kashima Bus Kotsu, Shinsei Kanko Bus, Kaburagi Ken’zai Kogyo (Nikko Kaburagi Kanko Bus), Toei Unyu (Toei Kanko Bus), Sanritsu Kanko Bus, Auto Will, Orient Kotsu, Hokuto Kanko Bus, Sanei Kotsu, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu, Japan Green, Tokyo Passenger, Kanachu Kanko, Kusakabe Kanko Bus, Niigata Daiichi Kanko Bus, I.K. Alliance, Chubu Kanko, Enshu Railway, Shizutetsu Joy Step Bus (Shizutetsu Kanko Bus), Owa, Miyuki Kanko Bus, Kojaku Kotsu, Hankyu Kanko Bus, Kansai Kokusai Kanko Bus, Oue Kanko Bus, Okayama Electric Tramway, Kimita Kotsu, Okawa Jidosha (Okawa Bus), Mitoyo Chuo Kanko Bus, Yanagawa Kanko Bus, Tsukushino Kanko Bus, Ryujos Kanko, and Seihi Kanko.

The evaluation criteria were revised in 2025, along with the certification mark. The new criteria include stricter standards for operational management and other areas; assessments of advanced safety initiatives such as health management and advanced safety vehicles; and compliance with regulatory revisions, including mandatory recording of roll calls and the use of digital tachographs.

One-star certification is awarded to operators scoring 60 points or higher. Two-star certification is awarded to operators that have maintained a one-star rating for two years and scored 80 points or higher. Three-star certification is awarded to operators that have maintained a two-star rating for two years and scored 80 points or higher. Four-star certification is awarded to operators that have maintained a three-star rating for two years and scored 90 points or higher.