Japan Railway Journal — Season 11

Aired 23 January 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 13 February 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 20 March 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 24 April 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 22 May 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 26 June 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 17 July 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 31 July 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 28 August 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 18 September 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 25 September 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 23 October 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 13 November 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 27 November 2025 • 28 min

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.

Aired 18 December 2025 • 28 min

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.