Heavy Rain Disrupts Bullet Train Services Across Western Japan

Persistent heavy rainfall in western and southwestern Japan brought significant disruptions to Shinkansen bullet train services on Saturday, affecting thousands of travelers at the start of a long holiday weekend.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings for further rainfall, cautioning of potential flooding and landslides as the rain system moves eastward.

Early Saturday, all Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Hakata in southwestern Japan were temporarily suspended, including key connections from Osaka to Tokyo.

Central Japan Railway reported that rain gauges reached critical levels in Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, prompting immediate halts to ensure passenger safety.

Stranded travelers expressed frustration, with many noting that weather-related service suspensions have become increasingly frequent.

Among them, Kazuhiro Yamane, a 52-year-old resident of Yamaguchi Prefecture, said public transportation disruptions seem more common each time heavy rains occur.

Meanwhile, in Hiroshima, local authorities reported a missing elderly man who had ventured out to secure a boat on a river.

In Nagasaki Prefecture, the agency recorded over 300 millimeters of rain within 24 hours through Saturday morning.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has forecast improved weather by Sunday, though it continues to warn of possible river overflows and landslides in affected regions.