On April 6, long queues formed at toll booths in Hachioji, western Tokyo, due to a system failure that affected the electronic toll collection (ETC) system. This disruption commenced around 12:30 a.m. and resulted in the closure of 106 toll booths across 17 routes in various regions, including Tokyo and several prefectures such as Kanagawa, Yamanashi, and Aichi.

The operator, Central Nippon Expressway Co., reported that the issues were resolved by 2 p.m. on April 7, after implementing a temporary fix to the ETC system. Currently, efforts are ongoing to develop a more permanent solution to prevent future incidents. The failure is thought to be connected to prior modifications made to the system, which has undergone many upgrades, contributing to the complexity that may have hindered a quicker restoration.

In light of the disruption, drivers were allowed to pass through the affected toll booths without upfront payment, with charges to be billed later. The transport ministry noted a significant increase in ETC usage, jumping from 1.6 percent in 2002 to 95.3 percent this year, showcasing the system's critical role in Japan's transportation network, with approximately 7.74 million drivers utilizing it daily.