The average rate adjustment across all vehicle types was 8.1 percent. It has been decided to continue the “measures to expand discount rates for high-volume, high-frequency users”—which offer discounts of up to 45 percent—through the end of March 2031.
As previously announced, the rate per kilometer will increase by 10 percent starting October 1. For standard vehicles, the rate will rise from 29.52 yen/km to 32.472 yen/km, representing an increase of approximately 3 yen per kilometer. The minimum fare will remain at 300 yen (for standard vehicles), and the maximum fare will also remain at the current distance limit of 55.0 km.
On September 16, the Metropolitan Expressway Company held a regular press conference at its headquarters in Kasumigaseki. The speaker was President and CEO Yoshiyuki Aoki.
Toll Rate Revisions for the Metropolitan Expressway (ETC-Equipped Vehicles, Effective July 1, 2027)
Mid-size cars: 330 yen–2,310 yen → 330 yen–2,520 yen
Large vehicles: 400 yen–3,110 yen → 400 yen–3,410 yen
Extra-large vehicles: 550 yen–5,080 yen → 550 yen–5,570 yen
*Fees for medium- to extra-large vehicles will remain unchanged from October 2026 through June 2027.
During the press conference, President Aoki said he had “something in particular he wanted to share”—the topic of vehicle fires on the Metropolitan Expressway. The video footage shown captured a scene in which vehicles behind a burning car inside a tunnel passed it one after another. This incident had just recently become a hot topic following a video the company posted on its official X account (@shutoko_traffic) in July.
However, since smoke and heat tend to circulate easily during a fire inside a tunnel—and there is a risk of being caught in an explosion while passing the vehicle—authorities wish to reiterate two rules: “Do not pass a vehicle on fire; stop before it,” and “Stop at the traffic light just before the tunnel.”
According to the Metropolitan Expressway Authority, there were 26 vehicle fires within its jurisdiction in fiscal year 2025, marking a sharp increase—approximately 2.4 times the number—over the five-year period starting in fiscal year 2021. Regarding the reasons for this, the agency states that more than half (55%) of the vehicles involved in these incidents were older vehicles over 10 years old, and that the combination of age-related deterioration and harsh driving conditions was particularly pronounced in passenger cars and medium-duty trucks.
On the other hand, about 20 percent of fire incidents involved vehicles less than five years old, and the company believes these were caused by faulty wiring in aftermarket electrical components or poor maintenance.
President Aoki urged drivers to stop immediately, evacuate, and report the incident if they encounter a vehicle fire—or if they cause one themselves.
© Source travel watch