Society

Japan's railways plan to scale back shinkansen suspensions as COVID-19 epidemic wanes

May 23 (Japan Times) - Three Japan Railways Group firms said Friday they plan to scale back cancellations of regular bullet train services ahead of a recovery in travel demand expected from the government's lifting of the state of emergency in many areas of the country.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) will fully resume regular shinkansen operations on June 1 but extra services will remain suspended. The daily number of Nozomi trains on the Tokaido bullet train line will be down 30 percent on average from the year-before levels, compared with 60 percent at present, JR Central said.

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) and West Japan Railway Co. will also scale back major shinkanse suspensions.

Tokyo-based express bus operator Willer Express, which has fully suspended business, will resume daytime services on seven routes, including between Tokyo and Osaka, on June 1.

Ishiba Shigeru elected LDP leader

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. (NHK)

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

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New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

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Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

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New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

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