The day the president realized membership had dropped alarmingly
Asahi: Membership sinks, suspicions rise at traffic safety groups
Looks like another "voluntary" levy which can be avoided with impunity.Membership has plunged among traffic safety associations...The mission of these associations, known as ankyo, is to organize campaigns to prevent traffic accidents and raise public awareness in traffic safety... Aside from the fees, which are paid voluntarily by drivers when they obtain or renew their licenses, the associations earn a commission by assisting in police duties for license renewal procedures or in the management of parking meters...But...the majority of workers in these associations are retired police officers, raising speculation the groups exist just to give retired officers extra income...According to Japan Traffic Safety Associations, the umbrella body of ankyo, the decline in membership is more conspicuous in urban areas. An official of the Hyogo Prefectural Traffic Safety Association, whose membership rate has fallen as low as 30 percent, said the situation is a "fateful crisis" ...more...
