Powerful Typhoon Shanshan makes landfall in Kyushu
Typhoon Shanshan made landfall near the city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture, at around 8 a.m. on Thursday as a “very strong” storm, bringing severe weather to a wide area. As …
shinkansen
JR West to retire 500 series Shinkansen in 2027
Osaka – West Japan Railway, or JR West, has said its 500 series Shinkansen bullet trains, which were once among the fastest trains in the world, will be retired in …
“Doctor Yellow” test shinkansen trains set for retirement
Iconic test trains nicknamed “Doctor Yellow,” used to monitor conditions of tracks and overhead wires for Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train lines while traveling, are set to retire due …
Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to be delayed beyond fiscal 2030
The planned extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo will be delayed until after fiscal 2030, informed sources have said. The Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency, or JRTT, …
Snake on a train: Discovery of serpent delays Tokyo-Nagoya shinkansen
Even small delays in Japan’s much-vaunted bullet trains are rare, and more unusual still are snakes on board holding up the speedy shinkansen services. On Tuesday evening, a passenger of …
JR Tokai gives up on 2027 maglev target date for opening
Central Japan Railway, or JR Tokai, is unlikely to meet its goal of opening the Chuo Shinkansen magnetic levitation line connecting Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027, President Shunsuke Niwa has …
Power outage halts shinkansen in eastern Japan
Many shinkansen services between Tokyo and stations in eastern and central Japan were suspended Tuesday due to a power outage, with their operator saying services will not restart soon. The …
Tight labor market puts Hokkaido Shinkansen 2030 goal in doubt
Sapporo – Unexpected construction delays and a tight labor market have made finishing the Hokkaido Shinkansen route to Sapporo by the end of the 2030 fiscal year problematic, although officials …
Bullet train lines to nix smoking rooms as health consciousness grows
Smoking rooms will no longer be provided aboard Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu bullet trains due to growing health consciousness among the public and a decline in smoking rates, the railway …
Four people injured in possible chemical leak on Tohoku Shinkansen
Sendai – A passenger on a Tohoku Shinkansen train arriving at Sendai Station at around noon made an emergency call on Monday, reporting that a child had been burned after …