Transportation & Infrastructure
Latest news and updates on transportation & infrastructure for expats in Japan
JR Joban Line Halted 7 Hours: 230,000 Commuters Affected by Cable Failure
JR Joban Line suspended service for 7 hours on January 30 due to severed cables at Ueno Station, affecting 230,000 commuters. Service resumed at 2:00 ...
January 30, 2026
Fatal Government Vehicle Crash and Violent Robbery Highlight Safety Concerns
A fatal government vehicle crash at 130 km/h and a 400-million-yen armed robbery disrupted Tokyo this week, while multiple morning train suspensions a...
January 29, 2026
Winter Weather and Incidents Cause Major Train Disruptions Across Japan
Major train disruptions hit Tokyo area on January 28 due to accidents, while heavy snowfall forecast through January 30 threatens wider transportation...
January 28, 2026
Winter Weather Cripples Hokkaido Transport as 330,000 Affected
Heavy snowfall in Hokkaido affected 330,000 rail passengers over two days, stranding 2,000 at New Chitose Airport overnight. Tokyo area commuters also...
January 27, 2026
Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Transportation and Daily Life Across Japan
Severe snowfall is disrupting transportation across Japan, with the Tokaido Shinkansen experiencing delays and highways affected. Peak snowfall expect...
January 23, 2026
Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Transportation Across Japan's Sea of Japan Coast
Heavy snowfall across Japan's Sea of Japan coast has triggered emergency warnings in Ishikawa and Shiga prefectures, causing major transportation disr...
January 21, 2026
Train Disruptions Hit Tokyo and Tohoku: What Expats Need to Know
Multiple train lines in Tokyo and Tohoku experienced service disruptions on January 17 due to accidents and fallen trees. Seibu lines and Akita Shinka...
January 17, 2026
Power Outage Halts Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku Lines for 8 Hours
A power outage halted Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines for eight hours on January 16, affecting 670,000 commuters. A related track fire near Tamachi S...
January 16, 2026
Power Outage Halts Tokyo Trains While Snowstorm Strands Drivers in Iwate
Power outages halted JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines on January 15, while heavy snow stranded dozens of vehicles overnight on Route 282 in Iwate P...
January 15, 2026
Railway Fare Hikes Hit Japan: What Commuters Need to Know in 2026
Multiple railway companies including JR East are raising fares in 2026 due to rising personnel costs. The increases affect commuters nationwide despit...
January 5, 2026
Holiday Travel Disruptions and Safety Concerns Mark New Year Period
Japan's New Year U-turn rush brought major transportation congestion, with train delays from a fatal accident on the Takasaki Line and a serious pedes...
January 4, 2026
Heavy Snowfall Causes Major Transportation Disruptions Across Japan
Heavy snowfall caused major disruptions across Japan, including 16-hour highway closures in western regions, stranded shrine visitors in Saitama, and ...
January 3, 2026
Major Train Accident Disrupts Tokyo-Area Commutes on New Year's Day
A train-vehicle collision on January 1 halted JR Utsunomiya and Shonan-Shinjuku Line services through day's end. Separately, Kyoto buses faced severe ...
January 1, 2026
Major Highway Pile-Up and Road Collapse Highlight Infrastructure Risks
A 67-vehicle pile-up on Gunma's Kan-Etsu Expressway killed two and closed the highway for three days, while Saitama's Yashio road collapse recovery co...
December 28, 2025
Fatal Highway Crash and New Bicycle Rules Signal Transportation Safety Push
A deadly 60-vehicle crash on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and upcoming bicycle traffic fines signal major transportation safety changes. New "blue ticket" ...
December 27, 2025
Heavy Snow Triggers Fatal Accidents and Travel Chaos Across Japan
Severe snowstorms caused fatal multi-vehicle accidents and widespread flight cancellations across Japan on December 26-27, coinciding with year-end tr...
December 26, 2025
Shinkansen Fee Disputes and Tokyo Expressway Toll Hikes Hit Travelers
Tokyo expressway tolls increase 10% to 880 yen from October 2025, while disputes over shinkansen lease fees could eventually impact bullet train fares...
December 24, 2025
Major Transportation Updates: Passport Fees Drop, System Glitches, and Safety Penalties
Japan announces 7,000 yen passport fee cuts from July 2025, while ANA and JAL face system outages and Tokyu Railway receives penalties after October c...
December 23, 2025
Transportation Costs Soar: Hokkaido Shinkansen Delays, US Car Import Rules Ease
Hokkaido Shinkansen faces ¥1.2 trillion cost increase, potentially delaying Sapporo extension. Meanwhile, US car imports become easier with simplified...
December 19, 2025
Honda Production Halts and Bus Driver Shortages Impact Japan Transit
Honda halts production at Japanese factories due to semiconductor shortages while Hokkaido tests inter-regional bus driver sharing to address critical...
December 17, 2025
Self-Driving Vehicles Launch at Japan's Major Airports and Cities
Japan launched driverless container tractors at Haneda and Narita airports in December 2025, while Nissan began autonomous vehicle trials for public t...
December 15, 2025
Severe Blizzards Paralyze Hokkaido Transportation, Flights Cancelled
Severe blizzards and hurricane-force winds hit Hokkaido on December 14, causing widespread flight cancellations at New Chitose Airport and dangerous t...
December 14, 2025
Multiple Transport Disruptions Hit Greater Tokyo and Global Air Travel
Rail disruptions hit JR Yokosuka and Keikyu lines on November 30th, while Airbus A320 technical issues cause global flight cancellations affecting int...
November 30, 2025
Airbus Software Glitch Grounds 95 ANA Flights, Disrupts Travel Nationwide
ANA canceled 95 domestic flights on November 29, affecting 13,200 passengers due to mandatory Airbus A320/A321 software updates. Long queues formed at...
November 29, 2025
Fatal Traffic Accidents and Rail Disruptions Highlight Safety Concerns
Recent fatal traffic accidents in Tokyo and Osaka, plus major JR rail disruptions, highlight transportation safety concerns for foreign residents navi...
November 27, 2025
Fatal Accidents Highlight Transportation Safety Concerns Across Japan
Recent fatal accidents in Tokyo and Fukuoka highlight ongoing transportation safety concerns. A stolen vehicle killed two in Adachi Ward, while a smal...
November 25, 2025
Japan-China Aviation Routes Suspended Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Twelve Japan-China aviation routes suspended on November 24 amid diplomatic tensions over Taiwan remarks. Expats face travel disruptions as South Kore...
November 24, 2025
Fatal Aircraft Crash and Highway Pile-Up Highlight Transport Safety Issues
A small aircraft crash in Fukuoka killed three people, while highway pile-ups in Hiroshima injured 21, including four young children. Both incidents h...
November 23, 2025
Japan Modernizes Transport: Face Recognition Gates and Fuel Subsidies
Tobu Railway launches face recognition gates across Tochigi's Utsunomiya Line, while government fuel subsidies begin lowering gas prices ahead of Dece...
November 13, 2025
Signal Failures and Wildlife Intrusions Highlight Japan Transport Safety Gaps
Railway signal configuration errors discovered at 15 stations across 10 operators following Kawasaki collision. Bear intrusion closed Hanamaki Airport...
November 12, 2025
JR East to Add QR Payments to Suica, Adjusts Shinkansen Schedules
JR East will add QR payment to Mobile Suica by fall 2026 and move Tohoku/Joetsu Shinkansen final departures up to 20 minutes earlier from spring 2026 ...
November 11, 2025
Transportation Disruptions Hit Tokyo and Kanagawa as Weather Warnings Issued
Major rail disruptions affect Tokyo-Kanagawa commuters with Yokohama Line suspensions for track inspections and Keio Line recovery after trackside fir...
November 9, 2025
14-Hour Fire Disruption Paralyzes Key Tokyo Railway Line
A fire in Mitaka City halted Keio Inokashira Line service for 14 hours on November 8, affecting thousands of Tokyo commuters. The incident damaged tra...
November 8, 2025
Japan Tests Facial Recognition Gates and Flying Cars as Transit Evolves
JR East trials facial recognition gates in Niigata, flying cars demonstrate in Kanagawa, and service disruptions remind expats to maintain backup tran...
November 7, 2025
Tokyo's Transport Evolution: Yamanote Line Celebrates Century as Linear Shinkansen Advances
Tokyo's Yamanote Line celebrates 100 years as a complete loop, while JR Tokai reveals its next-generation maglev train interior, showcasing Japan's bl...
November 2, 2025