Operations of bullet-train lines in central and northern Japan were severely disrupted Sunday by rough weather and technical problems, affecting some 27,500 passengers bound for their hometowns during the yearend and New Year's holidays.
The Yamagata Shinkansen Line, linking Fukushima and Shinjo, Yamagata Prefecture, suspended 26 runs between Fukushima Station and Yonezawa Station in Yamagata Prefecture due to snow-removal work along the tracks, East Japan Railway Co. said.
After the halt started at around 8:30 a.m., the Tokyo-bound line resumed operation shortly after 11 a.m. while the outbound line restarted at 3 p.m., the operator said.
On the Akita Shinkansen Line, which connects Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, and Akita, nine runs were canceled and 24 runs were delayed up to three hours and 20 minutes due to strong winds, JR East said.
Troubles unrelated to bad weather also occurred on the Tokaido and Nagano Shinkansen lines.
A technical problem on a bullet train at Nagoya Station at around 9:30 a.m. caused it and the following four trains to be delayed, affecting some 2,000 passengers.
On the Nagano Shinkansen Line, the Asama 506 had trouble with its brakes at around 7 a.m. and became unable to move in a section in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture. Some 60 passengers were eventually asked to exit the train and board another at the trouble spot, JR East said.
