NAHA, Okinawa Pref. -- A middle-aged cabby here says he has never seen a train in his life except on television, much less ridden one. His story, however, does not surprise locals.
In a country that boasts a modern public transportation network, Okinawa is the only prefecture with no railway.
Instead, it relies on a road network and cars -- as is common in the United States. Locals use their cars to commute, shop and do all their other errands. The low price of gasoline when compared to the mainland -- thanks to a shock-absorbing tax break introduced when the U.S. returned the prefecture to Japan -- has also encouraged residents to drive.