On Jan 31, 7:31 am, B Anderson <a...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Tokyo seems to have a highly extensive network of canals. Almost
> everyone in Tokyo would live near a waterway of some sort.

In part of Tokyo yes. How well maintained the canals are I'm not sure.
I see barges etc sometimes, but usually only near the bay.

> Why don't they use them for transport, in such a congested city?

Well "they" do - where it is viable. There are water buses and water
taxis, mainly on the sumida etc. Probably not exactly suitable for
commuters though.

> You could have small boats taking people (and goods) to their
> destination quickly and conveniently. There would be no traffic to
> compete with.

It wouldn't be possible to compete with road and rail transport in
comparable terms.