La France Pears Shipped On Shinkansen

La France pears shipped on Shinkansen

"La France" pears, an autumn delicacy in Japan, have been shipped using Shinkansen bullet trains from northern Japan to the capital, Tokyo.

Yamagata Prefecture, a major producer of the so-called "Queen of fruits," and the East Japan Railway Company, which operates the Yamagata Shinkansen bullet trains, planned the project.

Summer Shinkansen Bookings Fall Sharply

Summer Shinkansen bookings fall sharply

More travelers have canceled their summer holiday bookings for Japan's iconic Shinkansen bullet trains as the coronavirus continues to spread.

East Japan Railway says Shinkansen bookings for between August 7 and 17 have dropped to just 16 percent of last year's levels. In late July, bookings for the period stood at 19 percent of 2019's level.

More Space Planned For Wheelchairs On Shinkansen

More space planned for wheelchairs on Shinkansen

The Japanese government wants Shinkansen bullet trains to have more space for passengers with physical disabilities.

The transport minister has suggested that the trains on the nation's busiest line connecting Tokyo and Osaka should each accommodate up to six wheelchairs.

Some Shinkansen Services To Be Suspended In March

Some Shinkansen services to be suspended in March

The operator of Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen line says it will reduce the number of its trains in late March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Central Japan Railway Company had planned to operate extra Nozomi bullet trains from March 19 through 31, when the number of passengers usually increases due to spring holidays.

Self-repairing Ceramic Eyed For Aircraft Engines, Shinkansen

Self-repairing ceramic eyed for aircraft engines, Shinkansen

Japanese researchers say they have developed a ceramic material that self-repairs cracks in just a minute and could drastically change manufacturing methods for the transportation industry.

The team from the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and Yokohama National University said the material could be used in plane engines to keep them operating even if they are damaged in collisions with airborne objects.