Central Japan Railway changed guidelines for rain-related delays on the Tokaido Shinkansen line starting June 1.

The railway company has increasingly implemented planned suspensions to prevent confusion ahead of forecasted major weather events such as rain and snow.

JR Central previously used rain gauge set along railroads to measure precipitation levels and assess operation safety.

However, during the downpour that affected Shizuoka Prefecture in August 2024, the bullet train saw disruptions across a three-day period affecting many travelers.

JR Central made the decision to switch from rain gauge measurement to soil water index as torrential rain over extended periods of time has become more common.

The soil water index assesses the rain’s effect on shinkansen safety more accurately, allowing delayed trains to return to operation faster in some cases.

The change to Tokaido Shinkansen will affect many domestic and international travelers as the line acts as a major artery connecting much of Japan.