Japan Railway Journal

Japan's railway-related news, covered by NHK from July to December 2022. Join us as we look at news celebrating the 150th anniversary of the railway, rural railways that are recovering from the pandemic and advances being made in the rail industry. Plus, we say goodbye to some beloved trains. Also, in a move toward making a more diverse railway, meet JR West Kanazawa branch's first female diesel train driver.

In 2022, Ichibata Electric Railway in Shimane Prefecture celebrated its 110th anniversary. The railway is a vital means of transportation for locals, as well as a popular sightseeing route for tourist spots along the line. However, running at a loss since 1966, the railway has relied on financial support from the local government. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, the railway is working with the region to come up with new and unique ways to boost passenger numbers.

Many railway companies have suffered during the pandemic, but the Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture made a profit for the first time in six years in 2021. This is because 80% of their sales come from non-train operations, such as selling rice crackers, track ballasts, train sounds, auctioning station names and even producing a movie. Take a look at the unique ideas implemented by the company's president to keep the company on track.

JR East is working to reduce travel times by increasing the speed of the Tohoku Shinkansen to attract tourists and revitalize the region. The company is currently conducting tests using its test vehicle, the ALFA-X. They aim to realize a commercial operation with a maximum speed of 360 km/h by developing new rolling stock as well as supporting infrastructure. With the extension of the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen scheduled to open in the spring of 2031, the company is looking to compete with the airlines, which see around 10 million passengers per year. See the latest developments of the ALFA-X, as well as environmental measures to reduce noise pollution along the line.

Passenger numbers for local railway lines across Japan continue to fall as the population declines and more people opt to drive, putting pressure on railway company profits. In April 2022, JR West announced the income and expenditure status of 30 sections on 17 lines with a transport density of less than 2,000 passengers. According to the report, all 30 sections are in the red. The company is now planning to hold discussions with local governments along the lines to determine the best way forward. The section with the lowest income/expense ratio is the Geibi Line at 0.4%, followed by the Kisuki Line at 1.5% (both located in Hiroshima Prefecture). Take a look at how the local government and community are working to promote the use of the lines.

Yuri Kogen Railway, a third-sector railway in Akita Prefecture, averaged just 508 passengers per day in 2022 (a result of the declining population along the line). To increase passenger numbers and therefore boost revenue, the railway's president decided to drastically reduce the price of student passes by half. Take a look at the various initiatives currently being employed by Yuri Kogen Railway. And in "Tourist Trains in Style" see JR East's "KAIRI," which runs between Niigata and Yamagata prefectures.

Passenger numbers for local railway lines across Japan continue to fall as the population declines and more people opt to drive. Stations, meant to be hubs of vitality, are also seeing numbers fall. In response, private companies, NPOs and local governments, in collaboration with the railways, have begun utilizing some of these station buildings. In Chiba Prefecture, JR East's Emi Station became Japan's first combined station and post office. In Fukuoka Prefecture, Heisei Chikuho Railway's Yusubaru Station saw the installation of a university laboratory, and Nagai City in Yamagata Prefecture became home to the nation's first integrated station and government office building. Take a look at the efforts being made to revitalize the stations. And in "Tourist Trains in Style" see FUJI-SANROKU RAILWAY's "FUJISAN VIEW EXPRESS," which runs on the railway closest to Mt. Fuji.

Kagoshima Prefecture has been working to subsidize third-sector Hisatsu Orange Railway with support from all 43 of its municipalities, including those not serviced by the railway. The subsidies cover the cost of maintaining facilities such as tracks and overhead wires associated with the railway's operation. See how Kagoshima is working to preserve its regional transportation system; and the railway's efforts to attract tourists with its restaurant train.

See railway-related news from across Japan, covered by NHK from January to June 2023. See recent "Railway Events," the introduction of "New Rolling Stock," and "New Initiatives" being employed by the railway industry. In "New Rolling Stock," see JR West's Urara and Tobu Railway's limited express Spacia X. In "New Initiatives," see the logistics experiment being conducted with the Kyushu Shinkansen and test runs of an automatic operation on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Join us as we look back at a selection of railway news from the first half of 2023.

Located in the Tohoku region of Japan, the Iizaka Line is a small privately-owned railway line in Fukushima Prefecture that connects Fukushima City to Iizaka Onsen. Operated by the railway division of a bus company, the 9.2km 12-station line boasted an annual ridership of 2.4 million before the pandemic. Despite its small size, the line has remained profitable, setting the example for rural railways across Japan. See how the company continues to maintain and improve its services, making the line convenient for all passengers, young and old, to keep the business on track.

Severely damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake in April 2016, Minamiaso Railway finally resumed full operation after seven years and three months, in July 2023. Of the 17.7km line, 10.6km was destroyed, including bridges. At the time, restoration seemed hopeless due to the enormous repair costs. However, the railway company worked with the local community to bring the railway back online. Along with the restoration, the station buildings were renewed, a new car was introduced, and areas around the stations are currently being redeveloped. Minamiaso Railway also began a direct operation with the JR line for better access to JR Kumamoto Station, plus their popular trolley train made a full recovery. Join us as we take a look at Minamiaso Railway's road to recovery.

With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, the line will gain six new stations. The local governments along the line are eagerly awaiting the extension as improved access to the Tokyo Metropolitan area is expected to increase the number of visiting tourists and business travelers, boosting the local economy. In addition to new station buildings, efforts are underway to develop the surrounding areas, and systems are being made ready to handle the coming changes. See how regional developments are progressing along the line.

In recent years, JR Hokkaido has had to close a number of unprofitable lines as they became more and more difficult to maintain. Now, local residents and businesses are finding new ways to utilize the discontinued lines and facilities. While some sites were acquired and sold (with the tracks still in place) others have been proposed for use as camping sites, training grounds, storage facilities, art spaces and more. Discover the potential of JR Hokkaido's discontinued railway lines.

On August 26, a new streetcar "Haga Utsunomiya LRT" opened in Tochigi Prefecture. LRT is a next-generation transportation system that uses low-floor vehicles. See the current status and challenges.

Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture was the first to revive steam locomotives in Japan. See how the company has continued to operate despite typhoon damage and the pandemic.

JR Shikoku has suffered continued losses due to population decline and the expansion of a highway. See the initiatives the company is taking to aid recovery and revitalize the region.