News On Japan

Passengers Evacuated From Smoking Tokaido Shinkansen

GIFU, Aug 16, 2025 (News On Japan) - The Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama was halted and partially suspended on Friday night after white smoke began pouring out from under the train's carriage between Maibara and Gifu-Hashima.

According to police and Central Japan Railway (JR Tokai), at around 9:45 p.m., the conductor of the upbound Kodama No. 764, traveling between Maibara and Gifu-Hashima, noticed a burning smell. White smoke was then confirmed coming from beneath the train.

The train stopped at Gifu-Hashima Station for inspection, where about 250 passengers evacuated and transferred to a following service. One passenger reported feeling unwell.

A strong burnt odor lingered around the station as passengers and bystanders watched the scene.

The outer wall of car No. 9 in the 16-car formation was found to be damaged by heat. JR Tokai is investigating the cause.

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed normal operations from the first train on August 16th.

Source: Nagoya TV News

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Large Typhoon No. 25 (Dujuan) formed near the Mariana Islands at 9 p.m. on September 16 and is forecast to strengthen as it moves north, potentially approaching the Izu Islands, eastern Japan and the Pacific coast of Tohoku during the first half of the Silver Week holiday period.

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft went missing over international waters about 50 kilometers north of Tottori Prefecture on September 15, with floating debris and oil later found in the area where communications were lost.

GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu said they aim to launch Japan's first commercial fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo during 2027, using Level 4 autonomous vehicles that can operate without a driver on board under specified conditions.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

Tokyo Disney Resort will launch its annual Disney Halloween event on September 16, with a special parade previewed ahead of the opening and visitors allowed to enjoy the parks in costume during the event period.

Visitors can climb to the top of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, about 300 meters above the sea, for sweeping 360-degree views of the Akashi Strait, Kobe, Awaji Island and, in clear weather, as far as Osaka.

A mobile battery caught fire inside a Tobu Isesaki Line train in Saitama Prefecture on September 14, leaving a high school student with minor burns before another passenger extinguished the flames.

GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu said they aim to launch Japan's first commercial fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo during 2027, using Level 4 autonomous vehicles that can operate without a driver on board under specified conditions.

Kajima Corp. has unveiled the construction site of KAJIMA TREE, a roughly 60-meter wooden tower being built for the International Horticultural Expo that will open in March 2027.

A new helicopter service linking Kansai International Airport with central Kyoto in about 25 minutes each way will begin operations on September 15, offering travelers a faster alternative to rail and bus connections that take at least 75 minutes.

Climbers who get into trouble on Mount Fuji during the official closed season could be charged for rescue by disaster-prevention helicopters under new safety measures being considered by Yamanashi Prefecture.

A 220-meter suspension bridge billed as the longest of its type in Japan opened at Biwako Valley in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on September 14, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Biwa.