Japan railway news – Page 6
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In depthHigh Speed: Sapporo in sight as tunnellers tackle Hokkaido’s hills
Construction of the 212 km second phase of the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo offers the prospect of a 5 h journey time from Tokyo once the line is completed in 2030-31. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsJapanese diesel railcar ready for dynamic testing
JAPAN: This month JR West is to begin dynamic testing of its prototype Kawasaki Heavy Industries DEC700 diesel railcar, which is designed for future conversion to battery-diesel hybrid operation.
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NewsThai and Japanese railway research organisations to co-operate
THAILAND: The National Scientific & Technology Development Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute covering co-operation on technical matters, human development and joint research to help improve the Thai railway network. Initially running until the end of June 2023, the ...
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NewsRed snow crabs by high speed train
JAPAN: Red snow crabs and turban shells harvested along the coasts of Akita, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures have been transported to Tokyo by high speed train as part of a campaign to promote domestic tourism in northern Tohoku. East Japan Railway’s Akita Shinkansen Komachi 16 high ...
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Metro Report InternationalGovernments mull funding of Tokyo metro extensions
JAPAN: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and the Governor of Tokyo have agreed in principle that Tokyo Metro Corp should press ahead with two short extensions to improve connectivity in the southeast of the capital.
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Metro Report InternationalFukuoka Subway orders sky and mountain liveried trainsets
JAPAN: Fukuoka City Transport Bureau has ordered four four-car Series 3000A trainsets to support an expansion of services when the Fukuoka Subway’s 12 km Nanakuma Line is extended by 1·6 km from Tenjin Minami to Hakata in 2022. Two of the 1 435 mm gauge, 1·5 ...
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NewsRolling stock HVAC testing flaws come to light
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Electric President & CEO Takeshi Sugiyama has announced his resignation, after an internal investigation found that rolling stock heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and air compressors supplied by the company had not been tested according to documented specifications. The company said there had been ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro’s Hanzomon Line trains unveiled
JAPAN: The first of 19 Series 18000 trainsets to operate Tokyo Metro’s Hanzomon Line was unveiled at Saginuma depot in Kawasaki city on June 2.
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Metro Report InternationalFirst Lightline tram arrives
JAPAN: The first of 17 three-section low-floor light rail vehicles being built to operate the Haga – Utsunomiya LRT was unveiled at the line’s depot on May 31, having been delivered a few days earlier.
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NewsSotetsu orders Hitachi EMUs to work Tokyo through services
JAPAN: As part of its ¥15∙7bn capital investment plan for the 2021 financial year, Yokohama-based Sagami Railway is to order four eight-car Series 21000 EMUs from Hitachi.
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NewsKeikyu banks on rotating seats
JAPAN: Yokohama-based Keihin Express Electric Railway Co has unveiled the two additional Series 1000 EMUs that are expected to enter service from May 6.
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NewsJR Central sets out ¥722bn spending plan to stimulate post-Covid recovery
JAPAN: JR Central has unveiled its investment priorities for the 2021-22 financial year, which began on April 1, as it seeks to recalibrate its business for the post-Covid recovery period, when restoring lost ridership will be a key priority.
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NewsJR East’s mobile maintenance unit takes to the rails
JAPAN: East Japan Railway’s GMAC mobile maintenance unit is to ready be deployed from a base at Mito, following delivery of the third vehicle, the railway announced on April 16.
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NewsSeikan tunnel Shinkansen speed-up saves 3 min
JAPAN: Selected Shinkansen services through the twin-track 53∙9 km Seikan Tunnel between Honshu and Hokkaido will be permitted to run at 210 km/h during the May 3-6 ‘Golden Week’ holiday period, saving 3 min on the trip between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
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NewsJR East’s driver-only Series 131 EMUs enter traffic on the Boso peninsula
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has put into service its fleet of Series E131 EMUs on the relatively lightly used lines serving the Boso peninsula in Chiba Prefecture with effect from the March 13 timetable change.
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro improves train crowding data
JAPAN: Following successful trials, Tokyo Metro has decided to roll-out the use of stereo depth cameras to provide real-time information on train occupancy. The system developed with Ueno Green Solutions and Cyber Core uses cameras with two closely-spaced sensors a known distance apart, and software which ...
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NewsJapan addresses level crossing safety
JAPAN: The Japan Transport Safety Board has published a series of recommendations to reduce the risk of level crossing accidents, with particular focus on the remaining crossings without barriers.
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NewsJoban Line ATO ready to launch
JAPAN: East Japan Railway expects to start automatic train operation in commercial service on March 13, when the equipment goes live for Joban Line (Local) services in northern Tokyo.
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Metro Report InternationalSeries 17000 EMUs enter service in Tokyo
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro put its first Series 17000 EMUs into revenue service on its 1 067 mm gauge Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines on February 21, with minimum publicity as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
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NewsSportswear from Japan to the UK by rail and sea
INTERNATIONAL: Operator Russian Railways and shipper Maersk have operated a first container train carrying Japanese goods bound for the UK along the Trans-Siberian route between Vostochny and St Petersburg. The train carried 40 40 ft containers of sportswear and equipment which had been transported by sea ...