Railway operators in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region are moving up the departure times of their last trains beginning Saturday.

The companies say they are responding to falling numbers of passengers traveling late at night due to the pandemic, and that the measure will also provide better working conditions for maintenance staff.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area, East Japan Railway says the last trains on 18 lines, including the Yamanote and Chuo lines, will leave earlier.

Tokyo Metro, Seibu Railway, Tobu Railway, Keio Corporation, Odakyu Railway, Tokyu Corporation and Sagami Railway will also move up the departure times of their last trains beginning Saturday, while Keikyu Corporation and Keisei Electric Railway will start on March 27th.

In the Kansai region, West Japan Railway says the last trains on 12 lines will leave earlier, and Hankyu Railway and Hanshin Electric Railway say they will also make similar timetable changes.

This will be the first time in about half a century that the departure times of last trains will be brought forward.