CivicSense

Scrolling through Instagram recently, a reel about Japan quietly captured my imagination—and challenged my assumptions about public behavior and integrity. Around April this year, a rare 38-hour system crash hit the electronic toll collection (ETC) network on Japan’s Tomei and Chuo Expressways, affecting 106 toll gates that serve some of the busiest routes in the country. For nearly two full days, an estimated 920,000 drivers were able to pass without paying, as the booths were left open to keep the traffic flowing smoothly.