The transport ministry is considering asking Japan Railways (JR) firms to speed up their plans for quake resistance work on Shinkansen lines -- plans that were formulated more than 25 years ago -- in response to the long-term suspension of Tohoku Shinkansen line services after a derailment caused by a powerful earthquake off Fukushima Prefecture in March this year, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
Seismic reinforcement work has been in progress on the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines operated by East Japan Railway Co., the Tokaido Shinkansen line operated by Central Japan Railway Co. and the Sanyo Shinkansen line operated by West Japan Railway Co.
