Another Section Of Tohoku Shinkansen Line Resumes Services After March Quake
The operator of a Shinkansen bullet train line in northeastern Japan has resumed services on another section after a major earthquake hit the region.
Some sections of the Tohoku Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and northeastern Japan were damaged and a bullet train was derailed by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake on March 16.
Services had been suspended between Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture and Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture.
East Japan Railway Company, or JR East, resumed operations on Monday between Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture and Ichinoseki following the reopening of the section from Koriyama to Fukushima on Saturday.
Commuters and tourists were seen getting on Shinkansen bullet trains at JR Sendai Station on Monday.
A man says he appreciates the resumption of the service as he can shorten his commuting time by about one hour by using a Shinkansen train.
JR East says about 60 percent of trains will be back in service for the time being on the newly reopened sections. Trains will be operated at a slower speed than usual to ensure safety.
Services between Fukushima and Sendai stations are still suspended. JR East aims to reopen this section around April 20.