1. 12 Mar 2026 Administrative Guidance
| Authority | |
|---|---|
| Law / type | Railway Business Act / Administrative Guidance |
| Summary | On February 2-3, 2026, the Hokkaido Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Sorachi Resort City Co., Ltd. (corporate number 6430001046522) located in Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido. The audit revealed several issues requiring improvement: 1. The inspection ladder for the No. 2 support pillar of the Greenland Lift was found to be corroded and damaged, yet the inspection was marked as compliant without necessary repairs. The company is instructed to promptly repair the ladder and establish a proper maintenance system in accordance with the Ministry Ordinance No. 42. 2. Inspection records for the cable of the Greenland Lift and Greenland No. 2 Ski Lift were incomplete, with some records missing during the period before cable replacement. The company must properly retain inspection records and improve management systems. 3. During compliance inspections, certain inspection results were not recorded, including external abnormalities, weld cracks, tension wheel conditions, and safety device statuses. The company is advised to review and improve inspection record-keeping procedures. 4. The technical manager for the Greenland No. 2 Ski Lift was found to have less than two years of experience in cable car maintenance, and was not qualified under the Railway Business Act Enforcement Regulations. The company must ensure proper qualification and appointment of technical personnel. 5. Rescue training for cable car operators has not been conducted since fiscal year 2024. The company is instructed to implement necessary training and keep records. 6. Following a collision incident on January 23, 2026, the company failed to perform torque checks on adjustment nuts at the required intervals (50 operating hours or 7 days) in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The company must ensure the implementation of preventive measures. The company is required to report on the corrective actions taken by April 13, 2026. This guidance aims to ensure compliance with the Railway Business Act and the Ministry Ordinance on technical standards for cable car facilities. |
| Source | https://www.mlit.go.jp/nega-inf/cgi-bin/search.cgi?jigyoubunya=tetudou&EID=search&no=225 |