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: Extending the Hokuriku Shinkansen
JR West and JR East inaugurated a 125 km extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga on March 16. Mike Bent reports.
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NewsSeries E8 enters service on Yamagata mini-Shinkansen
JAPAN: East Japan Railway put its first Series E8 high speed trainsets into revenue service on the Yamagata Shinkansen on March 16.
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NewsTsuruga joined to Shinkansen network
JAPAN: ‘Today’s opening will touch the hearts of many domestic and international users and move the future forward’ said JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa at the inauguration of the Kanazawa to Tsuruga extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
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NewsJR Kyushu speeds up track inspection
JAPAN: JR Kyushu is using image processing with AI capabilities to automate high speed line track inspections, replacing the need for staff to go out on foot.
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NewsEast Japan Railway to work with University of Birmingham
INTERNATIONAL: East Japan Railway has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the UK’s University of Birmingham on innovative technology and staff skills development. Shunzo Miyake, Director General of International Affairs at JR East, said the partnership announced on February 19 aims to ‘develop railway ...
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NewsFootbath train launched to serve hot springs resort
JAPAN: Private train operator Kintetsu has modified one of its electric multiple-units to operate luxury tourist services between Nagoya and Yunoyama-Onsen, a hot springs resort in the Suzuka area of outstanding natural beauty.
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro privatisation could begin this year
JAPAN: Tokyo Metropolitan Government is likely to begin selling off its shares in Tokyo Metro in the 2024 financial year, Governor Yuriko Koike said on January 26. The current Tokyo Metro company was founded on April 1 2004 as part of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s policy ...
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NewsJR Central develops automated Shinkansen overhead line checks
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has developed an automated overhead line inspection system that can be fitted to series-built trains used on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Able to check the position of wires and the condition of fittings while trains are travelling at up to 300 km/h, the ...
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In depthJapan: Rural railways struggle against a changing climate
Recent storms have caused huge damage in parts of Japan, wrecking some rural railways and forcing others to close. Mike Bent examines how local lines can be revived against the odds.
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In depthJapan: Attracting traffic to rural lines
Imaginative initiatives are helping to ensure the survival of lightly used railways in rural Japan. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthResilient Infrastructure: Protecting Japan’s national network from earthquakes
The Railway Technical Research Institute is striving to find ways of making Japan’s railways safer and more secure against damage from earthquakes.
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In depthJapan: Challenge and change at JR Freight
Legislation limiting overtime worked by road haulage drivers comes into force next year, offering JR Freight an opportunity to win back lost traffic. Challenges include the need to adapt more of the 1 067 mm gauge network for 40 ft high cube containers and to develop wagons to carry them. Mike Bent reports.
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NewsTesting starts on next phase of Hokuriku Shinkansen
JAPAN: Trial running has started on the next section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which is scheduled to open for revenue service on March 16 2024.
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Metro Report InternationalUtsunomiya Lightline tramway opens
Source: Kazumiki Miura JAPAN: Celebrations on August 26 marked the opening of the Lightline light rail line in the city of Utsunomiya, 100 km north of Tokyo, as Japan’s first new-build tram line since the opening of a line in Takaoka in 1948. The 1 067 mm ...
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NewsJR Central to build Series 385 tilting train prototype
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway plans to replace the Series 383 tilting trainsets used on its Shinano ‘wide view’ limited express services operating mainly between Nagoya and Nagano with a fleet of Series 385 trainsets featuring more advanced body tilting controls. The company announced in August that ...
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NewsDriver-only EMUs unveiled in Hokkaido
JAPAN: JR Hokkaido has unveiled its first Series 737 EMUs, which are the railway’s first to be designed for driver-only operation.
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NewsSeibu Railway investment plan
JAPAN: Seibu Railway is to place an order for four more Kawasaki Heavy Industries Series 40000 EMUs as part of its ¥25·1bn investment programme for the current year.
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NewsBattery shunters to make J-TREC rolling stock deliveries
JAPAN: East Japan Railway’s rolling stock manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC has acquired two Hokuriku Heavy Industries ECOlogical MObility lithium-ion battery shunting locomotives. They are to be used for moving new vehicles from the company’s factory to Jimmuji station about 5 km away on the Keikyu-Zushi Line, where ...
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NewsJapanese railway to test biofuel
JAPAN: West Japan Railway is to test the use of biofuels to power diesel multiple-units on the Sanin Main Line between Shimonoseki and Nagatoshi.
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NewsTobu Railway launches Spacia X EMU fleet
JAPAN: Tobu Railway unveiled the first of 24 aluminium-bodied Series N100 EMUs on April 15, branding its new fleet as ‘Spacia X’.