NEWSWORTHY
M5.2 earthquake rocks southern Hokkaido but no tsunami warning issued
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 5.2 jolted Hokkaido on Friday morning, the biggest since a deadly quake rocked Japan's northernmost main island about a month ago, the Meteorological Agency said. The 8:58 a.m. quake, which occurred in a southern part of the island ...
Kawasaki Heavy admits flawed quality control led to shinkansen undercarriage cracks
The maker of a shinkansen undercarriage on which severe cracks were found last year offered an apology Friday over the incident, which could have caused a derailment, citing a vulnerability in its quality management system. "We have relied too heavily on the judgment and discretion ...
JR Tokai sets up unit in Texas with eye on orders for the state's bullet train project
Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Dallas in an effort to win orders related to a project to build a high-speed railway in Texas. JR Tokai, the operator of the Tokaido Shinkansen line linking Tokyo with Osaka, ...
JR East to equip bullet train staff with security equipment to defend against attacks
East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) will by the end of the year equip its bullet trains with shields and tear gas spray to be used by train crew in response to a deadly knife attack on a crowded shinkansen in June, the railway ...
After shinkansen stabbing, Japan bans unpacked knives on trains
Passengers will be prohibited from carrying unpacked knives on trains as part of new security measures sparked by last month's attack in a bullet train, the transport ministry said. The measures, announced Friday, allow station staff and conductors to forcibly evict passengers found carrying knives ...
Mobile services to be available in undersea Seikan Tunnel from next March
Mobile communications services will be available from next March aboard Hokkaido Shinkansen Line trains traveling through the undersea Seikan Tunnel, the communications ministry, Hokkaido Railway Co. (JR Hokkaido) and three major mobile phone carriers have announced. Currently, passengers cannot use smartphones or other communication ...
West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) showed a Hello Kitty-themed bullet train to the media Monday before its debut later this week. The white eight-car train, which is decorated with drawings of pink ribbons to mimic the look of the popular character created by Sanrio ...
Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) has increased the number of security guards on bullet trains in the wake of a knife rampage last weekend that left one passenger dead and two others injured, company President Shin Kaneko said Wednesday. The company also plans to ...
Free Wi-Fi to be offered in Japan on all shinkansen by March 2019
The government on Tuesday produced an annual action plan for tourism promotion, including a project to launch free Wi-Fi services on all shinkansen by the end of March 2019. The free Wi-Fi services are aimed at improving convenience for visitors to the country and attracting ...
Shinkansen stabbing raises alarm over security ahead of Rugby World Cup and Tokyo Olympics
The knife attack on a bullet train late Saturday night that left one dead and two injured has prompted experts to urge stronger safety measures for rail travel as Tokyo prepares to host major sports in the next two years. "I believe we're at the ...
Alleged shinkansen stabber handed to prosecutors after deadly attack
Suspect in Saturday’s deadly rampage on a Tokaido Shinkansen Line train handed to the Yokohama District Public Prosecutor’s Office on Monday on suspicion of murder.
Central Japan Railway Co. showed a new bullet train model to the media during a test run on Tuesday. The railway operator known as JR Tokai started daytime test runs of the new N700S series Monday, having conducted test runs at nighttime starting in March. The ...
