A JR Kyushu train fitted with an automatic train operation system, photographed on November 20, 2025 in Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City. (©Sankei by Mayuko Ichii)
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Railway operators across Japan are moving forward with plans to introduce automated trains on both conventional lines and the Shinkansen. Following early adopters such as JR East and JR Kyushu, private railway companies are also expected to implement similar systems.
Regional railways, in particular, face mounting challenges, including declining ridership due to low birthrates and depopulation, as well as increasing difficulty in securing train drivers. Without structural changes, maintaining existing services is becoming increasingly difficult.
To address the major challenges of automation, including ensuring safety and controlling costs, railway companies are intensifying technological development and field testing.
On some loss-making local lines, municipalities and railway operators have already begun discussions on the future of rail services. Automation is seen as a way to improve operational efficiency, address long-term driver shortages, and help build a sustainable railway network.
JR Kyushu
Since December, JR Kyushu has introduced trains equipped with an automatic train operation support system on sections of the Kagoshima Line and the Nippo Main Line. While a driver remains in the lead car, acceleration, deceleration, and stopping are handled automatically. The driver's role is simplified to tasks such as activating the system, operating doors, and responding in emergencies.
JR Kyushu is leading the nation in introducing automated operations on lines with level crossings. The company began automation trials on the Kashii Line in Fukuoka Prefecture in 2019 and achieved commercial operation six years later. Safety has been validated through approximately 900,000 kilometers of cumulative operation, and trials have gradually expanded to busier lines with higher passenger volumes.
Grades of Automation
Train automation levels in Japan are defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under a six-tier framework known as GoA (Grades of Automation). JR Kyushu's Kashii Line has reached Level 2.5, in which a train attendant without a driver's license rides in the cab. On lines such as the Kagoshima Line, where automated operation began in December, a licensed driver remains on board while train control is handled by an automated system (Level 2). JR Kyushu plans to upgrade these services to Level 2.5 by the end of fiscal 2027.
JR East conducted Level 2 demonstration tests on the Yamanote Line from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2022 and aims to achieve Level 3, or driverless operation with an onboard attendant, around 2035. In Japan, Level 3 has not yet been introduced on lines with level crossings. Tobu Railway has announced plans to introduce Level 3 on the Daishi Line, while in the Kansai region, Nankai Electric Railway aims to reach Level 2.5 on the Takashinohama Line by fiscal 2027.
Automation is also advancing on the Shinkansen. JR East has announced plans to introduce what would be the world's first driverless Shinkansen operation on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Meanwhile, automated operations with drivers on board are expected to expand on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.
Infrastructure Costs
Automated train operation is already in practical use on new transit systems and some monorails. These systems are feasible because they run on elevated tracks or have platform screen doors, eliminating the risk of passengers accidentally entering the tracks.
In contrast, introducing automation on lines with level crossings, where vehicles may get stranded or pedestrians could enter the tracks, presents significant safety challenges and requires substantial investment. For regional and local railways facing declining ridership, these costs are a major barrier.
JR Kyushu says it is minimizing large-scale infrastructure spending by making effective use of existing facilities. By upgrading onboard equipment and installing trackside devices to prevent overspeeding, the company has reduced costs to roughly one-tenth of what entirely new safety systems would require. JR Kyushu plans to invest about ¥3 billion JPY ($19 million USD) in future automation initiatives.
Safety First
Nagano Electric Railway and electronics giant Toshiba are conducting demonstration tests aimed at achieving Level 2.5 automation without adding trackside equipment. According to Toshiba, safety is ensured through advanced onboard systems, including cameras and sensors to detect obstacles ahead, as well as satellite-based positioning technology for highly accurate location tracking.
The system has successfully detected obstructions up to 350 meters away, both day and night. The technology is expected to be applicable to a wide range of trains as automation expands. A Nagano Electric Railway representative said, "We want to contribute to technological development that will support the future of railways."
While expectations for automated train operation are rising, concerns about public acceptance remain. JR Kyushu President Yoji Komiya noted that beyond cost issues, uncertainty exists over whether passengers will accept driverless trains, emphasizing the need to prepare for responses to breakdowns and accidents. Similarly, Nishi-Nippon Railroad President Koichi Hayashida took a cautious stance, saying that while automation will be necessary in the long term, Japan's strong safety culture means accidents are simply not tolerated.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Mayuko Ichii, The Sankei Shimbun
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