The latest advance [on / in] suitcase technology is [causing / casing] problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit [in / on] them, and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming [increasing / increasingly] popular. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan. More and more people there are [ridden / riding] their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage is [classy / classed] as a motorized vehicle [under / over] Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider needs a helmet, a driver's license, and [insure / insurance] . Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have [the / a] rear-view mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked [tourists / tours] to pull rather than ride the suitcases.
Electric luggage has been around [since / for] 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's slogan was "the carry-on that [carries / cares] you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become [popularity / popular] with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and [media / medium] personality Paris Hilton have all [pasted / posted] online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make [rules / rails] for the new way of getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be [removal / removed] because the batteries are a fire [risky / risk] . Kyodo News spoke to transport expert Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new [cases / forms] of transport will continue to emerge." He added that new laws will always be [need / needed] .
