KARUIZAWA, Nagano -- The municipal government of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, plans to propose a new shopping manner that will encourage its residents and people staying at vacation residences in the town to go shopping based on the last number of their car license plates, in an effort to prevent coronavirus infections and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
In July and August alone, about 3.5 million people, which account for 40% of the annual number of visitors to stores in Karuizawa, come from outside the town, causing traffic jams. As stores such as supermarkets and home improvement shops are often crowded, the municipal government intends to propose the "Karuizawa's new manner," a loose local manner to prevent crowds as well as help reduce CO2 emissions.
When residents and vacationers visit supermarkets, home improvement shops and other large stores closely related to daily life, those whose last number of their car license plates is odd will be encouraged to shop on odd dates, while those with even license plates will be asked to do so on even dates.
The municipal government will urge five stores, which will cooperate with this initiative, to put up notices. Besides that, it aims to make the new manner known through its public relations magazines and publications for vacation home owners. As it is difficult to inform tourists of the manner, they will not be subject to the manner. This new manner will be in place through the end of September.
"The manner isn't mandatory. It is also not intended to request people to refrain from going to the stores outside the designated dates. We want to ask for cooperation to the extent possible," said an official of the municipal government's environment section.
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