Japan railway news
English-language news about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy and the supply industry in Japan.
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In depthJapan: Delays and demographic dilemmas hinder Hokkaido Shinkansen ambition
Geological difficulties have delayed the completion of the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo beyond 2030, while JR Hokkaido is considering the deployment of 160 to 200 km/h EMUs on its 1 067 mm network, as well as bus replacements for loss-making rural routes. Mike Bent investigates.
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In depthJapan: Autonomous Operation offers flexibility with fewer staff
Trials on the RTRI test track near Tokyo have verified the performance of onboard detection and decision-making systems that could form the basis for autonomous train operations.
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In depthComment: Demography is destiny
The demographic challenges facing many countries around the world mean that rail’s ability to cost-effectively deliver benefits in low-density regions such as rural Japan or much of France is in the spotlight, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley warns.
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NewsTokyo Metro to introduce GoA2·5 automated operation on the Marunouchi Line
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro is working to introduce what it calls ‘GoA2·5’ train control on the Marunouchi Line, the operator has told Railway Gazette International.
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NewsTrains to ’connect the sea, the city and the future’ enter service on Tokyo’s waterfront
JAPAN: The first of eight Series 71-000 electric multiple-units designed to ‘connect the sea, the city and the future’ has entered passenger service on Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit’s Rinkai Line.
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NewsJapanese railways invest in flying car company
JAPAN: Four railway companies are now working with lightweight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developer SkyDrive.
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In depthWorld Speed Survey 2025: China still ahead as Whoosh joins the club
Railway Gazette International’s biennial survey of the world’s fastest scheduled passenger trains finds that no less than seven countries now run trains at more than 300 km/h, but China is still the global frontrunner in the speed stakes. Jeremy Hartill investigates.
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NewsSpanish and Japanese operators collaborate on high speed rail
INTERNATIONAL: Central Japan Railway and Spanish national operator RENFE have signed a set of technical, operational and strategic collaboration agreements.
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Metro Report InternationalPrismo energy-efficient peoplemover announced
JAPAN: The battery-powered Prismo has been announced as the latest version of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Crystal Mover family of rubber-tyre Automated Guideway Transit peoplemovers.
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NewsAssistance tool aims to make Japanese railways more accessible
JAPAN: Transreport has launched an online tool to make it easier for anyone with assistance requirements to request support at Hankyu Railway’s 87 stations. The commuter operator runs trains serving the Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe areas.
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NewsAdvanced EMUs refresh the Tobu fleet
JAPAN: Tobu Railway has put its first Series 80000 EMU into revenue service on the Urban Park Line. Kinki Sharyo is supplying 25 Series 80000 trainsets, which are intended to operate as five-car formations. Seven are being built as such, but the other 18 will be supplied as four-car units to be augmented by one vehicle transferred from existing Series 60000 units, which are to be shortened from six to five cars.
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NewsBritish influence in JR East’s next Shinkansen rolling stock design
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has issued the first images of its E10 Shinkansen high speed trainset.
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Metro Report InternationalHiroshima AGT deliveries completed
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has competed deliveries of 24 six-car Automated Guideway Transit rubber-tyred light metro trainsets ordered for Hiroshima Rapid Transit Co’s Astram Line. The longest AGT route in Japan runs 18·4 km from Hondori station in central Hiroshima to Koiki-koen-mae station in Seifu Shinto ...
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Metro Report InternationalNew fleet boosts capacity on Nippori-Toneri Liner
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has completed the deliveries of a further 12 five-car Series 330 Automated Guideway Transit trainsets for Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation’s Nippori-Toneri Liner. Delivery of the lightweight aluminium alloy Series 330 trainsets has enabled the replacement of 16 ...
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Metro Report InternationalBaseball branded trainset to ‘raise excitement and enthusiasm’
JAPAN: Seibu Railway has ordered three Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rubber-tyre Automated Guideway Transit trainsets for use on its 2·8 km three-station Yamaguchi Line peoplemover which connects Tamako to Seibukyujo-mae in the greater Toyko area. The four-car sets are to be delivered in ...
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NewsAutomated wheel shape monitor to detect wear
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has developed a device that allows the shape of wheels to be measured while trains are passing over it at up to 80 km/h. Following a series of field tests, the equipment is being introduced on JR Central’s Tokyo – Shin Osaka ...
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In depthJapan: Understanding when to replace electronic signalling equipment
Using estimates for the service life of electronic signalling components, Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute has developed a method for choosing the ideal time to replace them.
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Rail Business UKRail cyber-resilience collaboration
INTERNATIONAL: A memorandum of understanding to collaborate on enhancing the cyber-resilience of rail operations was signed by rail cybersecurity specialist RazorSecure, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Mitsubishi Electric Europe and EKE Electronics during the 18th UK-Japan Rail Working Group hosted by the Department for Transport in London on ...
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NewsDouble-deckers enter service on Chuo Rapid line
JAPAN: East Japan Railway is to launch regular operation of double-deck cars on its busy Chuo Rapid line services between Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nakano and the capital’s western suburbs.
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Metro Report InternationalSaitama New Urban Transit trainsets delivered
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has completed deliveries of the 2020 Series Automated Guideway Transit light metro trainsets for Saitama New Urban Transit Co’s New Shuttle Ina Line in Greater Tokyo. MHI supplied five six-car sets in 2015-20 to replace older vehicles, and announced at the end ...