Yamagata bullet train delays continue as cause remains unclear

Yamagata bullet train service remains limited after technical failures caused major disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers facing uncertainty and regional tourism struggling to recover during the peak summer travel season. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

JR East President Yoichi Kise apologized on July 15 and admitted that the company still lacks a clear explanation for the failures. Direct service between Tokyo and Shinjo now runs only once daily, forcing passengers to transfer at Fukushima Station.

The operator plans to increase the number of round trips to three from July 19. However, seat reservations remain suspended for the busy Obon period, leaving travelers and businesses unable to plan with confidence.

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Local tourism faces severe setbacks. Officials report more than 6,000 accommodation cancellations, particularly affecting the cherry-picking season. Business leaders criticize the lack of solutions, while residents fear being left behind as delays persist.

Impact of Yamagata bullet train disruption on tourism

Governor Mieko Yoshimura warned earlier that frustration is growing. Hoteliers in Ginzan Onsen express concern about declining bookings, fearing that Yamagata may disappear from tourist itineraries if the uncertainty continues through the summer.

The initial breakdown occurred June 17, when four E8 series trains suffered malfunctions mid-route. A fifth failure followed on June 30, signaling a possible systemic issue in the fleet introduced last year. Engineers traced each incident to a damaged semiconductor in the power supply unit, essential for cooling the motor system.

Yamagata bullet train failures linked to semiconductor issues

Investigators believe certain environmental conditions, such as extreme heat, combined with specific circuit board setups, triggered the problem. Yet, the root cause remains unidentified, and repairs are ongoing without a fixed timeline for full restoration.

Currently, only six E8 trains operate, limited to the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. Older E3 models cover the Yamagata route, but capacity remains insufficient. Up to 37 daily cancellations have disrupted more than 250,000 trips so far, clouding the outlook for regional recovery.

Source: www.asahi.com

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