Wednesday 20 April 2011
Japan

Up-to-date information about JR East train operations

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East Japan Railways (JR East) have been making concerted efforts to restore the train networks following the earthquake which devastated Japan in March. In this context, JR East takes this opportunity to express its deep appreciation for the kind consideration and full support offered by UIC Members. On behalf of East Japan Railways, Mr Yoshio Ishida, JR East Vice-Chairman and UIC Chairman, and Mr Satoshi Seino, JR East President and CEO, would like to reaffirm the strong ties between JR East and UIC Members.

JR East is gradually restoring operations on the affected lines and is planning to resume its train operations on all the Shinkansen lines by the end of April. Regarding the conventional lines, JR East suffered a great amount of damage to various infrastructure facilities in more than 4,400 locations. However, there was no critical destruction and the restoration of the network is now going smoothly.

The train operation status as of 15 April is as follows:

  • Tohoku Shinkansen:
    Train operations between Tokyo and Fukushima station and between Morioka and Shin-Aomori station have already been resumed. All train operations are scheduled to be back to normal by the end of April.
  • Yamagata Shinkansen:
    Train operations between Tokyo and Shinjo station have already been resumed.
  • Akita Shinkansen:
    Train operations between Morioka and Akita station have already been resumed.
  • Joetsu & Nagano Shinkansen:
    Train operations are normal.
  • Limited Express “N’EX”（Narita Express）to/from Narita Airport:
    Train operations have already been resumed but some services are still suspended.
  • Rapid train “Airport Narita” to/from Narita Airport:
    Train operations have already been resumed.
  • Conventional Lines in Tokyo Metropolitan Area:
    All train operations have already been resumed.

JR East teams would be pleased to exchange on this disaster and share its experience with UIC Members to help improve the quality of concrete actions to be taken in these kinds of circumstances. They would also be pleased to welcome you again to Japan any time.

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Cherry Blossom season in Japan
Shiroishi River - Miyagi prefecture link during the Cherry Blossom season currently held in Japan (typically from mid to late April). There is a stretch of cherry blossom trees spanning about 8 kilometers, where it is said you can see a thousand cherry blossom trees at once. The view of the cherry blossom trees reflected in the river water is not to be missed, either (more information on the JR East website: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/)
Limited Express “Narita Express”