CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

Passengers get off a train with the help of railway company personnel and firefighters after a power outage halted their train between JR Tamachi and Takanawa Gateway stations in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

Passengers get off a train with the help of railway company personnel after a power outage halted their train between JR Tamachi and Takanawa Gateway stations in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

Passengers get off a train with the help of railway company personnel after a power outage halted their train between JR Tamachi and Takanawa Gateway stations in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

Passengers get off a train with the help of railway company personnel after a power outage halted their train between JR Tamachi and Takanawa Gateway stations in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

CORRECTED: Power outage stops train in Japan

Passengers get off a train with the help of railway company personnel after a power outage halted their train between JR Tamachi and Takanawa Gateway stations in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

New cat stationmaster

KINOKAWA, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - Calico cat Yontama is pictured after being appointed the third feline stationmaster alongside a feline apprentice recruit, Rokutama, at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025. Yontama succeeded Nitama, the second stationmaster who died in November, continuing a nearly two-decade tradition that has boosted tourism and helped save the line from financial trouble. (Kyodo)

New cat stationmaster

New cat stationmaster

Calico cat Yontama (R) is pictured after being appointed the third feline stationmaster alongside a feline apprentice recruit, Rokutama, at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025. Yontama succeeded Nitama, the second stationmaster who died in November, continuing a nearly two-decade tradition that has boosted tourism and helped save the line from financial trouble.

New cat stationmaster

New cat stationmaster

Wakayama Electric Railway Co. President Mitsunobu Kojima holds Yontama, a calico cat appointed as the third feline stationmaster at Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026. Yontama succeeded Nitama, the second stationmaster who died in November, continuing a nearly two-decade tradition that has boosted tourism and helped save the line from financial trouble.

Strong quakes hit western Japan

Strong quakes hit western Japan

JR Yonago Station in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, is closed after railway services were suspended following a series of earthquakes in Tottori and Shimane prefectures, western Japan, on Jan. 6, 2026.

Funeral for cat stationmaster

KINOKAWA, Japan, Dec. 14 Kyodo - A funeral for cat stationmaster Nitama is held at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025, following the cat's death in November at age 15. (Kyodo)

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

A JR Hachinohe Line train arrives at Hon-Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 30, 2025, as the railway fully resumes service following a suspension after a powerful earthquake hit the region on Dec. 8.

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

Passengers disembark from a JR Hachinohe Line train at Hon-Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 30, 2025, as the railway fully resumes service following a suspension after a powerful earthquake hit the region on Dec. 8.

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

JR Hachinohe Line fully resumes service

Passengers disembark from a JR Hachinohe Line train at Hon-Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 30, 2025, as the railway fully resumes service following a suspension after a powerful earthquake hit the region on Dec. 8.

JR Hachinohe Line partially resumes service

JR Hachinohe Line partially resumes service

A man boards a JR Hachinohe Line train at Kuji Station in Kuji in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, as the railway partially resumes service following its suspension after a powerful earthquake hit the region on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Funeral for cat stationmaster

Funeral for cat stationmaster

A funeral for cat stationmaster Nitama is held at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025, following the cat's death in November at age 15.

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=October 30,2025,Japan

Transport robot demonstration at central Japan station

Transport robot demonstration at central Japan station

A prototype robot automatically transports heavy objects during a demonstration by Central Japan Railway Co. at Nagoya Station in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 24, 2025.

Transport robot demonstration at central Japan station

Transport robot demonstration at central Japan station

A prototype robot automatically transports heavy objects during a demonstration by Central Japan Railway Co. at Nagoya Station in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 24, 2025.

Hanoi urban railway construction starts

Hanoi urban railway construction starts

A groundbreaking ceremony for an urban railway project financed by Japan's yen loans is held in Hanoi on Oct. 9, 2025. The 12-kilometer railway project, which includes a subway section, is backed by Japanese railway technology.

Hanoi urban railway construction starts

Hanoi urban railway construction starts

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Naoki Ito speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for an urban railway project financed by Japan's yen loans in Hanoi on Oct. 9, 2025. The 12-kilometer railway project, which includes a subway section, is backed by Japanese railway technology.

Heavy rain in northeastern Japan

Heavy rain in northeastern Japan

Debris that accumulated in a railway underpass in the northeastern Japan city of Semboku, Akita Prefecture, on Aug. 20, 2025, is pictured following heavy rain.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People check evacuation information at JR Kamakura Station in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, on July 30, 2025, following the suspension of railway services after a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency in the wake of a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Women check evacuation information in front of the closed JR Hakodate Station in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 30, 2025, following the suspension of railway services after a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency in the wake of a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Passengers stand in front of Sanriku Railway's Miyako Station in Miyako in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after railway services were suspended following a tsunami warning. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the warning for the country's Pacific coast in the wake of a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Japan: Record Rainfall Hits Tokai Region, Train Services Disrupted

Heavy rain battered the Tokai region on Thursday, July 17, causing widespread flooding and disrupting train services, including Tokaido Shinkansen. Kuwana in Mie Prefecture recorded 144.5 mm of rain in just three hours by 1 p.m., the highest on record. This video shows a train stranded on the tracks due to severe weather.

Japan: Record Rainfall Hits Tokai Region, Train Services Disrupted 2

Heavy rain battered the Tokai region on Thursday, July 17, causing widespread flooding and disrupting train services, including Tokaido Shinkansen. Kuwana in Mie Prefecture recorded 144.5 mm of rain in just three hours by 1 p.m., the highest on record. This video shows flooded streets in Kuwana City.

Retired "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

NAGOYA, Japan, June 15 Kyodo - Video taken on June 14, 2025, shows a "Doctor Yellow" T4 series diagnostic shinkansen bullet train at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya, central Japan. Public display of the yellow shinkansen train, which examined tracks and overhead lines on Japan's bullet train routes, began the same day after it retired in January. (Kyodo)

Retired "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Retired "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 14, 2025, shows the cockpit of a "Doctor Yellow" T4 series diagnostic shinkansen bullet train at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya, central Japan. Public display of the yellow shinkansen train, which examined tracks and overhead lines on Japan's bullet train routes, began the same day after it retired in January.

Retired "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Retired "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 14, 2025, shows a "Doctor Yellow" T4 series diagnostic shinkansen bullet train at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya, central Japan. Public display of the yellow shinkansen train, which examined tracks and overhead lines on Japan's bullet train routes, began the same day after it retired in January.

"Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 7, 2025, shows a "Doctor Yellow" T4 series diagnostic shinkansen bullet train at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya, central Japan. The yellow shinkansen trains, which examine tracks and overhead cables on Japan's bullet train lines, were transported to the museum earlier in the day for public display from June 14, after they retired in January.

"Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" diagnostic shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 7, 2025, shows a "Doctor Yellow" T4 series diagnostic shinkansen bullet train at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya, central Japan. The yellow shinkansen trains, which examine tracks and overhead cables on Japan's bullet train lines, were transported to the museum earlier in the day for public display from June 14, after they retired in January.

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway's sightseeing express “Aoniyoshi”.=May 2,2025,Japan

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway's sightseeing express “Aoniyoshi”.=May 2,2025,Japan

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway's sightseeing express “Aoniyoshi”.=May 2,2025,Japan

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway Sightseeing Express Aoniyoshi

Kinki Nippon Railway's sightseeing express “Aoniyoshi”.=May 2,2025,Japan

[Breaking News]20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

AMAGASAKI, Japan, April 25 Kyodo - West Japan Railway Co. President Kazuaki Hasegawa speaks during a memorial ceremony at the site of the 2005 fatal train derailment in the western Japan city of Amagasaki on April 25, 2025, its 20th anniversary. A rush-hour commuter train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line derailed and crashed into a condominium building, killing the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony=April 24,2025,Japan

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony=April 24,2025,Japan

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony

Kinki Nippon Railway BlueSymphony=April 24,2025,Japan

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. President Kazuaki Hasegawa speaks during a memorial ceremony at the site of the 2005 fatal train derailment in the western Japan city of Amagasaki on April 25, 2025, its 20th anniversary. A rush-hour commuter train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line derailed and crashed into a condominium building, killing the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo)

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. President Kazuaki Hasegawa speaks during a memorial ceremony at the site of the 2005 fatal train derailment in the western Japan city of Amagasaki on April 25, 2025, its 20th anniversary. A rush-hour commuter train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line derailed and crashed into a condominium building, killing the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo)

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

20th anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. President Kazuaki Hasegawa (C) observes a moment of silence at the site of the 2005 fatal train derailment in the western Japan city of Amagasaki on April 25, 2025, its 20th anniversary. A rush-hour commuter train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line derailed and crashed into a condominium building, killing the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo)