January 1984, the time when Japan National Railways

 SL "Yamaguchi" in operation for Hatsumode (New Year's visit) 1/1

    SL "Yamaguchi" will be in operation for the first time in this season for the general public, with C581 in tow, until the 3rd.

Kabe Line [Discontinuation of Freight Business] Yokogawa-Kabe line (freight business completely discontinued) 1/1
The JNR Joetsu, Tohoku, and Tokaido Shinkansen lines are temporarily halted due to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake centered in the Kanto region. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, 49 trains on the upper and lower lines were delayed for 10 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes, affecting approximately 20,000 passengers. On the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines, 10 up and down trains were delayed 5 to 17 minutes 1/1
Series 01 prototype of the Teito Rapid Transit Company begins commercial operation 1/1
Nagoya Railway Mikawa Line [freight operations discontinued] 1/1
Tokyu Corporation Tokyu Hotel Chain completes contract with Tokyo Hilton and begins operations as Capitol Tokyu Hotel 1/1
Nisugi JNR's General Director gives New Year's greetings to 180 executives and staff members at the head office 1/4

    Appealed for "the united efforts and solidarity of all employees" to achieve the targets of the FY1960 management improvement plan, emphasizing the following four points

•  Ensure safe transportation
•  Putting passengers first
•  Self-help efforts through promotion of management efficiency and a bold business attitude
•  Encouragement of front-line employees by executives at every opportunity

New Year's Year Passenger Business Summary 1/5

    According to the passenger traffic report for the year-end and New Year holidays (December 28-January 4, 1958), the number of limited express and express passengers including Shinkansen passengers was 4.99 million, up 30,000 from the 33 major sections last year and 101% over the previous year, marking the second consecutive year that the number of passengers exceeded the previous year's result.
    Compared to last year, when there was a lack of snow, this year the number of skiing passengers exceeded that of the previous year by 6% due to early snowfall at ski resorts along the line, including those in the Joetsu area, and the overall transportation situation was also favorable. On the other hand, Hatsumode passengers were sluggish at 96% of the previous year's level, as all regions experienced sluggish growth.
    By major lines, the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines carried 2.1 million passengers (100% of the previous year's figure), the Tohoku Shinkansen line carried 490,000 (111%), and the Joetsu Shinkansen line carried 260,000 (119%), all of which were favorable, while the conventional lines carried 2.14 million passengers (97%), which was lower than the previous year.

The "Warmth of the Kuroshio Current on Tosa Road" campaign PART III has begun (until March 31).
Major private railway companies' New Year's transportation results summarized.

    The Japan Association of Private Railway Companies reports that 15 major private railway companies (Tobu, Seibu, Keisei, Keio Teito, Odakyu, Tokyu, Keikyu, and Eidan) have achieved a total of 15,000 passengers during the New Year's holiday season (March 6). Tokyu, Keikyu, Eidan Subway, Meitetsu, Kintetsu, Nankai, Keihan, Kikyu, Hanshin, and Nishitetsu) reported 2,527,000 non-scheduled passengers (down 3.1% from the previous year) and 4,795,542,000 yen in revenue (down 1.6%) for the first three days of the New Year, due to rain on the third. This is believed to be due to the cold weather throughout the country and "people refraining from going out for the first time on New Year's holidays and other occasions.

JNR decided on the draft timetable for the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines to be inaugurated in Ueno in the spring of 1960 1/7

    Including irregular trains, there will be 49 round trips on the Tohoku Shinkansen and 34 round trips on the Joetsu Shinkansen, an increase of about 60% from the current schedule, and a significant reduction in travel time due to speed increases, etc.

President Nisugi made his first regional visit to the Kansai region 1/10
Construction of Mizusawa-Eshashi and Shin-Hanamaki Stations on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line begins.
Taketoyo Line [Abolition of Freight Business] between Higashinariwa and Taketoyo 1/10
The Transportation Council is composed of 12 major private railway companies, Tobu, Seibu, Keisei, Keio, Odakyu, Keio Teito, and Seibu. Tobu, Seibu, Keisei, Keio, Odakyu, Tokyu, Keikyu, Kintetsu, Nankai, Keihan, Hankyu. Nankai, Keihan, Hankyu, Hanshin) report fare hikes 1/12

    The government approved the proposal on January 17, and Transport Minister Hosoda gave his approval on the same day. Implementation will begin on the 25th of this month. The government also approved increases in express fares for four companies (Tobu, Seibu, Odakyu, and Keisei), with an average increase of 12.7%.

Launch of the "Grand Alliance of Transport Industry Workers' Unions" (tentative name) approved 1/12.

    A joint organization of more than 1 million transport workers, centered on the ITF-affiliated unions, including the Seamen's Union of Japan, the Aviation League of Japan, the General Council of Trade Unions of Japan, the Federation of Private Railway Workers' Unions, and the purely neutral Transport Workers' Federation of Japan.

Utilizing self-supplied electric power to reduce costs 1/13

    As part of efforts to reduce costs, the scope of self-supplied power on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line was extended from the 8.4-kilometer distance between Tokyo Station and the Osaki Substation to 22 kilometers, an extension of 13.6 kilometers to the Tsurumigawa Substation.
    As a result, the 13.6 km of operating power (35 million kWh/year) that was previously supplied by TEPCO can now be supplied by the company's own power company. As a result, annual cost savings of about 180 million yen are expected to be realized due to the difference in electricity rates between TEPCO and cheaper self-supplied power, as well as a decrease in the purchase of insufficient power during the dismantling inspection of the Amishima and Nishisagami frequency conversion stations.

Mito Line 95th Anniversary Commemorative Train Operation 1/15

    Commemorating the 95th anniversary of the Mito Line, one round-trip train will run between Mito and Shimodate on the Mito Line, using an EF80 + 7 former passenger cars.

Ishinomaki Line [Discontinue freight operations] Ishinomaki - Watanoha 1/15

 Heavy Snowfall in Northern Japan 1/16

    Due to snowfall caused by a strong winter pressure pattern, four lines in northern Hokkaido, including the Haboro Line of Japan National Railways (JNR), were closed, causing trains to get stuck, and more than 140 trains in Hokkaido alone were suspended. In addition, many trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Tohoku, and Joetsu Lines were also delayed.

Authorities announce that JNR will hire only university graduates for new positions 1/17
JNR Participates in Establishment of Largest Hotel in Chugoku and Shikoku 1/17

    JNR establishes the Hiroshima Terminal Hotel (Hotel Grandia Hiroshima) adjacent to Hironatsu Station, jointly with Hankyu Corporation and others.

Sanriku Railroad Fares Determined 1/17

    The Transport Council reports on the proposal to establish passenger fares for Sanriku Railway, which will open in April, as submitted. The Ministry of Transport is scheduled to approve the new fares on January 18.

Hakone ropeway service suspended 1/17

    Hakone Ropeway will suspend operation between Owakudani and Togendai until early March for cable replacement, etc.

Nippon Express will not apply for an increase in its tolls (Japan National Railways' freight collection and delivery charges) and will continue to operate at a loss for the time being, in order to prevent customers from leaving Japan National Railways through higher rates.
JNR resumes hiring university graduates for the first time in 3 years.

    JNR decides to hire 150 new employees in FY1960 and reveals its specific hiring policy. According to the policy, the so-called "bachelor system," which had been used for speedy promotions at the head office, is abolished, the policy of integrating head office and local hiring is officially decided, and a new "personnel-oriented hiring system," which focuses on hiring people with character, is introduced.

Heavy snowfall on the Pacific Coast 1/19

    The snowfall caused by a low-pressure system extended to the Pacific coast, with the Kanto region recording its first snowfall in 15 years, and railroads in the Japanese archipelago as far as Kyushu were severely impacted. Related → Incidents and Accidents

Fukuoka Subway Begins One-man Operation 1/20

    The Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau began one-man operation of the city's 1000 Series trains on Lines 1 and 2 today, ahead of the rest of the country.

Kamioka Railway established 1/20

    The inaugural meeting of Kamioka Railway Company, which will take over the Kamioka Line, was held at the Kamioka Mining Works of Mitsui Kinzoku Mining Co.
    Capitalized at 200 million yen, Mitsui Kinzoku Mining, a major shipper, is the largest shareholder with a 51% stake, with the remainder coming from Gifu and Toyama prefectures and other towns and villages along the line.
    The railroad operated between Inoya and Kamioka (20.3 km) for passengers and between Inoya and Kamioka-guchi (17.1 km) for freight.

Yahiko Line [Cargo operations discontinued] Yoshida - Higashi-Sanjo (~12.5km) 1/20
Akaya Line [Freight operations discontinued] All lines 1/20
National Railway Headquarters holds a meeting of Regional Motor Vehicle Bureaus and General Managers 1/20
FY59 Budget Draft of the Finance Bureau is announced 1/20

    Budgeted capacity of JNR is 345,000; first fare revision in 2 years (180 billion yen increase in revenue, 6.4% increase in revenue) approved as requested; construction work scale of 510 billion yen, 106 billion yen less than the previous year's budget; 628.4 billion yen in government subsidies compared to 682.1 billion yen; fiscal investment and loans 1,395 billion yen (down 4.2% from the previous year). The budget was also harsh at 164.9 billion yen, with borrowings of 2,543.5 billion yen, compared to 2,708.4 billion yen.
    Construction cost of 166.0 billion yen for the Railway Construction Public Corporation

National Conference of Presidents of Railroad Schools held 1/20
FY59 budget announced 1/20

    The Ministry of Finance has issued an unofficial notice of the FY59 budget to the various ministries and agencies.
    The Ministry of Finance announced its FY 59 budget to the ministries and agencies.

Four Private Railways Revise Fares 1/21

    Hakone Tozan Railway, Fujikyuko, Fukui Railway, and Kobe New Transit raise rail fares by an average of 10.5%, 12.3%, 8.3%, and 15.7%, respectively, effective today.

Toyohashi Railway's application for railway passenger fare hike 1/21

    Atsumi Line (rail line) 7.2%, Higashida Main Line (track) 7.5

Fukuoka City Subway becomes the nation's leader in one-man operation 1/20
Groundbreaking of the Kayagasaki Building 1/21

    Groundbreaking ceremony held for the station pill, bridge station building, and north-south free passageway, which are scheduled to open in spring 1960

Kushiro Line has a "Farewell Mixed Train" 1/22
Series 713 and 715 test-ride event 1/22

    JNR held a test-ride event for applicants to ride the Series 713 Ito train between Hakata and Sasebo, and the Series 715 train between Nagasaki and Saga, which will be in operation from the new schedule in February.

The Federation of Private Railway Companies of Japan (FIRC) decided that the major private railway companies will hold the first wave of strikes on April 8 in this year's Spring Strike.
Simplification of local management organization decided at Executive Committee and presented to related unions 1/23

    With regard to streamlining and simplifying the organization of administrative divisions, the Managing Directors' Meeting decided to consolidate and eliminate divisions, offices, and departments of the Railway Administration Bureau (including the Shikoku General Bureau), which has a small scale of management, and presented the decision to the unions concerned on the same day.

JNR decides to revise the organization of administrative divisions.

    In order to simplify and streamline the organization of administrative divisions, JNR officially decides to reduce 26 divisions and 53 sections at 10 administrative bureaus nationwide, including Asahikawa and Kagoshima, and presents the decision to the unions concerned.

Groundbreaking of Nara railcar yard 1/23

    A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Nara rail yard, which is scheduled to be partially completed in time for the electrification of the Nara and Wakayama lines scheduled to begin in October. All construction is scheduled for completion in March 1985.

Farewell ceremony held for Japan Monopoly Corporation's Odawara Plant's dedicated line 1/23
With the revision of the 59/2 timetable, JNR Osaka and Tennoji managements agree with unions to cut 3768 positions in the freight division as proposed. 1/24
FY59 gov't budget plan approved. 1/25
Fares revised for 12 major private railways 1/25

    The 12 major private railway companies, excluding Meitetsu and Nishitetsu, raise railroad fares simultaneously for the first time in 3 years and 9 months by an average of 13.7%. At the same time, they introduced a transfer fare discount system that offers a 10 yen discount per company when boarding at 18 stations in the Tokyo area and 12 stations in the Osaka area that cross over to another company or at stations with no ticket gates.

Tohoku Shinkansen snow endurance tests begin 1/25

    JNR begins snow endurance tests of the 240km/h Tohoku Shinkansen as part of the long-term endurance tests that began last fall.

JNR begins investigating the cause of the damaged rail joints on the Chuo Rapid Line 1/25
Seibu Railway revises fares. The minimum normal fare is 90 yen 1/25
Odakyu Electric Railway passenger fares revised. 1/25

    First-ride passenger fares for Odawara and Enoshima Lines are 90 yen for adults and 50 yen for children.
    Tama Line: 110 yen for adults, 60 yen for children

FY1999 budget, government draft decided 1/26

    Japan National Railways will raise passenger fares by an average of 8.2% from April 20, and introduce region-specific fares. The company plans to increase revenues by 180 billion yen per year. Although property and personnel expenses were drastically reduced, interest payments and borrowings still increased substantially, and the deficit for FY1959 is expected to increase by 24.8 billion yen from the previous year to 1,713.8 billion yen. Fiscal investment and loans to Japan National Railways will be 1,139.6 billion yen (down 19.8%), almost the same amount as at the beginning of FY58; subsidies will be restored by 20.4 billion yen to 648.8 billion yen (down 54.2 billion yen from the previous year); construction expenses will be increased by 56.3 billion yen to 566.4 billion yen, a total of 45 sparing yen; and construction expenses for the Iron Construction Corporation will be 190.5 billion yen.

Japan National Railways Restructuring Supervisory Committee approves the government's draft budget for FY1959.
Rationalization negotiations related to the Feb. 1 timetable revision lead to a general agreement between the Japanese National Railways authorities and five labor unions concerned. 24,000 employees, mainly in the freight division but also in the passenger and operation divisions, are employed.
The Hokkaido section (14.7 km) of the Seikan Tunnel attachment line is penetrated through the No. 2 Yunosato Tunnel (1618 m) 1/26
Groundbreaking ceremony for Shin-Mizusawa Station (tentative name) on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line is held.

    Japan's first station on a Japanese National Railways Shinkansen line to have all construction costs borne by the local government, with the aim of opening in the spring of 1960.

Tarumi Railway established 1/26

    Establishes Tarumi Railway, which takes over and operates the Japan National Railways Tarumi Line from October.
    Capitalized at 100 million yen, with Sino Railroad as the largest shareholder with 51%, and Sumitomo Cement as the consignor, Gifu Prefecture, and municipalities along the line providing the remainder of the capital.
    Passenger trains will continue to operate between Ogaki and Mino Kamiumi (24.0 km), and freight trains between Ogaki and Mino Honzu (16.3 km).

Spring Seasonal and Temporary Train Schedule Announced 1/27

    The spring seasonal and special train schedule has been announced, with a total of 7,754 Shinkansen and conventional limited express and express trains scheduled for the period from March 1 to June 30, an 11% increase over the previous year. The breakdown of the number of Shinkansen runs is as follows: 2,699 runs for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (112% of the previous year), 824 runs for the Tohoku Shinkansen (229%), 180 runs for the Joetsu Shinkansen (243%), and 4,051 runs for the limited express and express services on conventional lines (96%), placing emphasis on the increase in Shinkansen runs.
    By line, the Tokaido and Yamato Shinkansen lines increased the number of "Hikari" services on Friday evenings, which are the busiest days of the week; the Tohoku Shinkansen line also focused on "Yamabiko" services; and the Joetsu Shinkansen line increased the number of "Asahi" and "Toki" services in anticipation of spring skiing passengers.
    On conventional lines, "Salon Express Odoriko" limited express trains operate between Tokyo and Izukyu Shimoda during spring vacation and "Salon Express L/Soyokaze" limited express trains between Zushi and Karuizawa during Golden Week.
    In the Osaka area, the "Salon Car Meisei" night limited express train operated between Osaka and Nishi-Kagoshima during the Golden Week holidays using European-style passenger cars.

JNR has finalized the framework for revising the "Management Improvement Plan" formulated in FY56 before the final year of FY60.

            Trunk line division, which was targeted in the original plan to break even in FY60, is expected to post a surplus of 20-30 billion yen.
            Profit and loss from general operations in the transportation business also achieved a surplus.
            However, due to increased losses on local lines, the overall balance will deteriorate by more than 300 billion yen from the original plan.

    In addition, the revised plan officially changed the number of personnel from 350,000 to 320,000 for the first time.

Transportation Council decides to discontinue freight operations on JNR's Gono Line (Goshogawara to Kawabe).

    The decision has been made to discontinue freight operations on 38 lines and 58 stations. Implementation will begin on February 1.

The Transport Council approves a discount of up to 10% on freight rates for eight freight forwarders, including Nittsu, that handle cargo at 23 "Container Freight Depots" across Japan, due to the rationalization of JNR's freight division.
Keihin Tohoku Line and Negishi Line switch to ATC between Kamata and Ofuna 1/29

    Began using automatic train control (ATC) on Keihin Negishi Line train section between Urada and Ofuna from the first train
    (Omiya - Kamata and Yamanote Line sections were already in use in December 1981.

Chikuho Round Trip" runs 1/29

    The three locomotive wards of Wakamatsu, Gyuhashi, and Gotoji, and the Nogata Freight Car District, which will be abolished with the February schedule revision, mainly operate a special group train departing Wakamatsu at 10:18 and arriving at Wakamatsu at 15:30 via Iizuka, Buzen-Kawasaki, Tagawa-Gotoji, Gyuhashi, Tagawa-Ida, and Nogata.

Hidaka Maru (2nd generation), Tokachi Maru (2nd generation), and Watashima Maru end service 1/31 JNR Bus Kinan Line (41.6 km between Shingu, Kumano City, and Omata-Okubo), a 41-year local transportation service, is discontinued 1/31
Sobu Nagareyama Electric Railway Direct handling of freight cars with JNR is discontinued. Joint use contract of Mabashi Station cancelled 1/31
Feb. 55 Osaka District Court orders compensation of 21.8 million yen to a boy who left stones on a Keihan train in an accident in which the train derailed and overturned due to stones left on the tracks 1/31
Beppu Railway discontinued 1/31

    The Beppu Railway is unavoidably closed due to the downsizing of Japan National Railways' freight transportation system. The railroad had been a tasteful railroad with small passenger cars.

Another Heavy Snowfall 1/31

    Heavy snowfall in various areas on the Pacific side of Japan caused all 10 Shikoku lines to suspend operations from the morning, and many sections were closed in the Okayama and Oita areas. 317 trains were cancelled due to accidents such as pantadalafs becoming stuck under the weight of snow and frozen points on 12 lines including the Kokuden, Chuo Line Rapid, Yamanote Line, Tokaido Line, and Joban Line Rapid in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The situation was so severe that 317 trains were cancelled and 1,096 trains were delayed, leaving 700,000 passengers without a train. The Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines were also disrupted throughout the day, affecting 180,000 passengers and causing 40,000 refunds amounting to 120 million yen. 397 flights were cancelled, depriving approximately 38,600,000 people of their transportation.