Rail travel demand strong during Japan summer holidays

During Japan's summer holidays, rail travel demand remained strong, according to the Japan Railways Group. The six passenger service firms reported that approximately 13.21 million people utilized shinkansen bullet trains and limited express services between August 7 and August 14, a figure almost identical to the previous year. Passenger traffic on 46 major sections remained robust, primarily driven by business and tourism needs.

The Tokaido Shinkansen line, managed by Central Japan Railway, saw a 1% increase in passengers from a year earlier, reaching about 4.14 million. This rise was partly attributed to the addition of up to 13 Nozomi trains per hour on the line due to a timetable revision. On the Kyushu Shinkansen line, operated by Kyushu Railway, services between Kumamoto and Shin-Minamata stations, both in Kumamoto Prefecture, were suspended following a powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.

Passenger traffic between Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Station declined by 39.8%.

"The earthquake may have discouraged 'homecoming travelers' and tourists, but the extent of this impact on Kyushu Shinkansen passenger traffic remains unclear," stated a JR Kyushu official.

Airlines also released their passenger figures for the same period. Domestic flights saw a 7.7% decrease at All Nippon Airways and a 5.8% drop at Japan Airlines, likely due to typhoon-related flight cancellations. International flights experienced a 0.7% decline at ANA and an 8.1% drop at JAL.