Japan railway news
English-language news about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy and the supply industry in Japan.
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NewsMount Fuji light rail study highlights steep challenges
JAPAN: An interim report by Yamanashi Prefecture into a proposal to build a light rail line serving Mount Fuji has raised a series of questions about the infrastructure and rolling stock needed for a railway with gradients likely to be as steep as 8∙8%. Published in ...
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In depthComment: Delivery is the priority
One of the key messages of InnoTrans 2024 was that railways need to focus on delivery to justify the scale of investment and maintain the political support the industry is looking for.
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News‘If There Were No Shinkansen‘
BOOK REVIEW: With an introduction by Prof Roderick Smith of Imperial College, London, If There Were No Shinkansen is the work of former East Japan Railway Chairman Shuichiro Yamanouchi, who died in 2008. Subtitled High-speed rail experience from its birth to today in Japan, the book ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro shares jump after stock exchange listing
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on October 23 in Japan’s largest IPO since the listing of SoftBank’s mobile telecoms business in 2018. Prior to listing, the national government owned 53·4% of Tokyo Metro’s shares, with the remaining 46·6% held by the ...
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NewsN700S high speed trains with inspection capability to replace Dr Yellow
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway is to augment its fleet of N700S Shinkansen trainsets with a further 17 units, some of which will be fitted with infrastructure inspection equipment.
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NewsHumanoid robot to maintain Japanese railway infrastructure
JAPAN: A giant humanoid robot capable of undertaking tasks such as painting lineside structures, cutting back vegetation, lifting heavy objects and performing simple maintenance of overhead electrification equipment has been unveiled by developer Jinki Ittai Corp and West Japan Railway. The robot has two 12·2 m ...
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Metro Report InternationalJapanese local railway pilots facial recognition ticketing
JAPAN: Light rail and bus operator Yamaman Co has added facial recognition to the Jorudan Style Point&Pass ticketing system used on its 4·1 km six-station Yukarigaoka Line and local bus services. Passengers need to register online and provide a passport-style photo and credit card details to ...
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NewsJapanese high speed rail freight services expand
JAPAN: The increasing use of high speed passenger trains to carry light freight was highlighted by a fair at Tokyo station on May 17 where products now being transported to the capital by Shinkansen were available for purchase. The rail services have benefited from a national ...
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In depthPhilippines: A comprehensive package of Japanese know-how
Keisuke Fukui, Senior Representative of Japan International Co-operation Agency’s Philippines office, sets out how the bilateral financing body is providing support in a variety of fields to ensure effective delivery of rail and metro schemes in the country.
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NewsPrivate rooms to be revived on Tokaido Shinkansen
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has announced plans to reintroduce private compartments on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
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NewsChuo Shinkansen completion delayed until 2034
JR Central tested the maglev technology in Yamanashi prefecture (Photo: Kazumiki Miura). JAPAN: Central Japan Railway announced at the end of March that it no longer expects to start operating high speed superconducting maglev services over the Chuo Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027. Speaking ...
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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.