Japan Railway Journal

Railway news from the latter half of 2024. Join us as we look back on the Tokaido Shinkansen's 60th anniversary, the introduction of new vehicles and more exciting railway news from across Japan.

Private railway companies in Greater Tokyo are redeveloping areas along their lines. See how they are focusing on community growth over more traditional developer-led models.

Despite the rise of transfer apps, around 100,000 timetables are printed each month. Discover the charm of Japanese train timetables as we speak to the editors and the foreign residents who use them.

In June 2024, Torizuka Akira became Oigawa Railway's new president. With half the line still closed due to typhoon damage, see how the company is striving to recover.

Across the country, Japan's railways are working towards a shared goal: carbon neutrality. See the efforts being made to shift away from diesel power and to improve energy efficiency overall.

Echigo Tokimeki Railway and Hokuetsu Express, both third-sector railways in Niigata Prefecture, have struggled since the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Kanazawa. See their efforts to survive.

2025 marks the 110th anniversary of Nagasaki Electric Tramway, which has long been a vital means of transportation for both residents and tourists. Discover the charm of Nagasaki's streetcars.

Railway news from the first half of 2025. From new technologies to farewell runs, join us as we take a look at the latest railway trends and major stories from across Japan.

A unique project along Tokyo's JR Ome Line is turning the area's empty homes into "hotel rooms" - with one station currently acting as the "front desk." See how tourism is revitalizing the community.

In March 2025, a new shopping complex opened inside Hiroshima Station, and in August, trams began running from the second floor. See how this bustling new city hub is being developed.

Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture posted its first loss in four years, as reported in June 2025. See the company's plans to survive this time, following its previous triumphs over crises.

The JR Joban Line, severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, fully reopened in 2020. See how station areas in Fukushima Prefecture are being redeveloped along the restored route.

The JR Geibi Line has begun running extra trains as talks commence regarding the line's future. See the local governments' response to the added trains and their efforts to keep the line open.

Amid financial struggles, local railways are increasingly turning to vertical separation (dividing the ownership of infrastructure and operations) in order to survive. See how it works in practice.

Recently, many railway companies have been adopting AI to improve efficiency and safety. See examples from Mass-Trans Innovation Japan 2025 that show how AI is being applied across the industry.