National Aug 11, 2022
Japan's summer holidays in full swing with lack of COVID-19 restrictions
Reserved seats for the outbound lines of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train, linking Tokyo and Osaka, were almost fully booked on Thursday morning.
Commentary / Japan Aug 10, 2022
Forget about Brad Pitt in his latest movie; the bullet train is the real star
by Gearoid Reidy
A new movie finally gives top billing to Japan’s most famous train. But it comes during troubled times for the fabled Shinkansen.
Business / Economy Aug 9, 2022
Tokyo taxi fares set for rare hike as inflation pressures mount
by Shoko Oda
The hikes are needed in order to improve the wages and working environment of drivers, as well as to cover for rising fuel costs, the transport ministry said.
National Jan 24, 2022
As omicron spreads in Japan, business continuity plans come into focus
by Kanako Takahara
Companies and local governments are drawing up measures to keep business going even if many staffers can't work due to infection or being deemed a close contact.
Lifestyle Apr 25, 2021
Ticket to ride: Disabled passengers face added burden from a lack of smart cards
Japan's disabled, as well as accompanying caregivers, are eligible for 50% discounts on train fares, but in the capital area, they are forced to queue at manned counters for paper tickets.
National Dec 7, 2020
Travelers to Japan are using public transit after arrival, and that's a problem
by Tomohiro Osaki
Lax enforcement of rules stopping travelers from overseas using trains and buses from airports is becoming a vulnerability in Japan's efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Business / Corporate Feb 5, 2020
Major taxi operator Nihon Kotsu Co. and information technology firm DeNA Co. will integrate their taxi-hailing app businesses April 1. With their integrated services, over 100,000 taxis will be available for hailing, the companies said Tuesday. The integration is intended to increase cost competitiveness, improve customer ...
National Jan 29, 2020
New Harajuku Station building unveiled ahead of March opening
The new Harajuku Station building in Tokyo's pop-culture hub, which is set to open on March 21 in time for the Tokyo Olympic Games, was unveiled to the media Wednesday by East Japan Railway Co. The new station facility, which is on the capital's busy ...
National Jan 28, 2020
Railway operators in final phase of preparing for Tokyo Games
Railway operators in the Tokyo area are in the final stages of preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, is scheduled to open a new station on its Yamanote Line for the first time in 49 years ...
Business Jan 27, 2020
Tracking the Wuhan virus outbreak's impact on business and travel
by Cecile Daurat
A rapidly spreading viral outbreak is disrupting travel and business in China, which has taken unprecedented steps to lock down cities with a combined 40 million people around the epicenter in Wuhan to try to slow its progress. For global corporations, Wuhan is an important ...
National Jan 27, 2020
Tokyo's taxi drivers brush up their English to cash in on Olympics
by Reito Kaneko
"There are many ways to ask your passengers to fasten their seat belts. The easiest is to say, 'Seat belt please,' but you should never add the word 'take' as it then means you want that to be stolen," an English teacher said in ...
National Jan 26, 2020
AI to assist railway companies combat problems with snow accumulation
Japanese railway companies are turning to artificial intelligence to help tackle potential problems for their shinkansen bullet trains caused by snow accumulation. West Japan Railway Co. is developing an AI system to gauge the amount of snow that collects on Hokuriku Shinkansen trains that travel ...