Japan railway news – Page 4
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NewsE131-600 EMUs take over Omiya branches
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has unveiled the Series E131-600 electric multiple-units which are due to take over two 1 067 mm gauge branches in its Omiya division from a timetable change on March 12.
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NewsJR West to order tilting EMUs
JAPAN: West Japan Railway plans to order four 11-car Series 273 electric multiple-units to replace the Series 381 trainsets used on Yakumo Limited Express services on the Hakubi line.
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NewsPrototype Hybari hydrogen multiple-unit ready for testing
JAPAN: East Japan Railway is to begin testing its prototype HYdrogen-HYBrid Advanced Rail vehicle for Innovation two-car hydrogen multiple-unit during March. Plans for the Hybari unit were announced in June 2019, and agreements for its production were announced in October 2020. The Series FV-E991 test train ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro extensions approved
JAPAN: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism has given Tokyo Metro the go-ahead to develop two proposed extensions to the capital’s metro network. The first would be an extension of the Yurakucho Line to serve areas at the northern end of Tokyo Bay that ...
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NewsRefrigerated goods from Japan to Europe by rail and sea
INTERNATIONAL: Russian Railways, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and FESCO have organised an initial delivery of refrigerated containers of Japanese cargo to Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway. The containers containing food, beverages and pharmaceutical products requiring special transport conditions were shipped from Toyama ...
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In depthJapan: Kintetsu plans a post-pandemic recovery
Regional operator Kintetsu is looking to refocus its business in the Kansai region with real estate and leisure developments aimed at changing lifestyles and reflecting new working patterns. Mike Bent investigates.
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In depthTicketing: Expanding the use of Japan's IC cards
Originally developed as a form of smart travel ticket, IC cards are now in widespread use across Japan. They can be used for many types of transaction, and further applications are being added as rail operators strive to make travel more convenient.
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NewsFoot crossing obstacle detection using AI
JAPAN: Seibu Railway is to start testing a newly-developed AI-assisted warning system for detecting obstacles on foot crossings at two stations on the Ikebukuro Line in the suburbs of Tokyo.
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NewsCableway heritage commemorated
JAPAN: Kintetsu’s Ikoma Cable Line has been certified by the Selected Civil Engineering Society as a Civil Engineering Heritage site, a designation created by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers to encourage the conservation of historic structures. With its lower terminus adjacent to Kintetsu’s Ikoma station, ...
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NewsRoad-rail services inaugurated in Shikoku
JAPAN: The start of regular road-rail services on the Asa Kaigan Tetsudo in southeast Shikoku was marked with a ceremony at Awa-Kainan-Bunkamura on December 25.
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In depthJapan: road-rail midi-buses on a rural railway
This month is expected to see the launch of commercial passenger services with ‘dual-mode’ road-rail midi-buses on a rural railway in southern Shikoku. Mike Bent reports.
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NewsRoad-rail midi-buses to start revenue service on December 25
JAPAN: The regional Asa Kaigan Tesudo in southeastern Shikoku is to start revenue operation using ‘dual-mode’ road-rail vehicles from December 25.
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NewsATACS to support ATO on Tokyo suburban routes
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has confirmed plans to install its ATACS radio-based train control on Tokyo suburban lines over the next decade, in order to support an expansion of driver-only and automatic train operation.
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In depthJapan: Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen nears completion
Due to open in autumn 2022, the 66 km Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen is isolated from the rest of Japan’s high speed network. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsTadami Line transfer brings vertical separation to Japanese passenger market
JAPAN: Part of the storm-damaged Tadami Line in central Honshu has been transferred from JR East ownership to management by the local prefecture, the Tohoku Transport Office within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism announced on November 30.
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NewsJR West to renew Okayama EMU fleet
JAPAN: On November 18 JR West announced plans to order a batch of two- and three-car EMUs for use on local services in the Okayama and Bingo areas.
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NewsJR East demonstrates automatic operation of high speed train
JAPAN: East Japan Railway demonstrated autonomous operation of a Series E7 high speed trainset to invited guests on November 17. Although a driver was present, his instructions were to keep his hands off the controls unless anything unexpected happened.
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NewsTobu Railway orders N100 units
JAPAN: Tobu Railway has awarded Hitachi Rail a contract to supply 24 six-car N100 six-car electric multiple-units with 212 seats, private compartments, lounge areas and a bar. The aluminium-bodied 1 067 mm gauge units from the manufacturer’s A Train family are to be produced at the ...
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NewsJR East uses AI to monitor overhead electrification
JAPAN: JR East has launched an AI-based monitoring system to enhance the quality of its overhead wire and catenary mast inspection process.
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NewsJR Central marks Chuo Shinkansen depot debut
JAPAN: Construction of the first of two maglev vehicle maintenance facilities for the Chuo Shinkansen began on October 14 at Nakatsugawa City in Gifu prefecture.