OKINAWA, Japan -- The Government of Japan will begin charging tolls at all the Okinawa Expressway toll booths mid-June, according to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The expressway, along with portions of the Aomori and West Kyushu Expressways in mainland Japan, has been operating toll-free under a pilot program implemented June 28, 2010.

The toll-free program was designed to fulfill a government campaign promise of reducing Japan’s costly tolls, but is being reversed to generate funds in the aftermath of the deadly March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, according to officials from MLIT.

Tolls will be 50 percent of the original fee on the weekdays, while travel on weekends and holidays will remain free of charge, said Kaori Martinez, the community relations officer for G-5 Division, Marine Corps Bases Japan.

“There was already some discussion on re-starting toll charges due to the constant congestion on the expressway, especially during the weekdays,” said Martinez. “Money from the reinstituted charges will go toward rebuilding infrastructure and assisting those who are still struggling in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.”

A specific date has not yet been set for the switch but service members and their families will be informed when tolls take effect, said Martinez.

“We will pass down word as soon as a concrete date is provided,” said Martinez. “Signs will also be posted in Japanese and English at expressway entrances so drivers are aware of the change.”

Government vehicle drivers from all commands will again utilize the U.S. Forces Japan 19 EJ certificate for transit of toll roads, as stated in USFJ Instruction 31-205 Motor Vehicles and Traffic Supervision.

Unit supply officers not in possession of toll passes must contact Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Yokosuka to place an order, as the Defense Automated Printing Service here no longer provides that service, according to Yoshimitsu Higa, a document services coordinator with the Defense Logistics Agency here.

Units can speak with Mr. Kazuo Sakaba (kazuo.sakaba.ja@fe.navy.mil) or Mr. Akira Niikura (akira.niikura.ja@fe.navy.mil) in FISC Yokosuka’s customer service department to place their order, said Higa.

Drivers who receive a temporary loan vehicle from Garrison Mobile Equipment here will be supplied with passes.

The USFJ 19 EJ certificate is a controlled form. The handling, issuance and utilization of the form must be in strict adherence with the USFJI 31-205. This instruction is clarified by MCBJ Order 11240.35E.

For more information, call GME at 645-2640.