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Kyushu Shinkansen to Resume Between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro on September 18

white and black train on rail
Photo by Rikku Sama on Unsplash
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JR Kyushu has announced that the Kyushu Shinkansen will resume service between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro on September 18.

The line had been suspended after an earthquake damaged the tracks and other equipment in the Kumamoto area.

According to the company, the first train of the day on September 18 will mark the restart of the service.

JR Kyushu made the announcement at a press conference, where officials explained the situation.

The company said that some trains will run in a cautious operation mode, meaning they will travel more slowly than usual at first.

This careful approach is likely a safety measure while checks continue on the repaired sections.

Meanwhile, local train lines in the region remain out of service.

JR Kyushu is aiming to restart these conventional lines by mid-October.

The earthquake caused significant infrastructure damage, forcing the company to halt operations for repairs.

Crews have been working to repair the tracks and related facilities since the disruption began.

The restart of the Shinkansen is an important step toward restoring normal transportation in the region.

Residents and travelers have been waiting for updates on when full service would return.

JR Kyushu has not yet given a specific date for the full restoration of local train services.

The company says it will continue to update the public as repair work progresses.

Vocabulary6 words

Kyushu Shinkansen
a fast train line that runs through Kyushu, Japan
press conference
a meeting where a company gives information to news reporters
cautious operation
running trains slowly and carefully for safety
local train lines
regular trains that stop at many stations, not high-speed
conventional lines
normal train tracks, different from high-speed rail
infrastructure damage
harm done to roads, tracks, or buildings

Quiz

1. What caused the disruption to the Kyushu Shinkansen?
2. What does 'cautious operation' mean in this context?
3. When does JR Kyushu hope to restart local train lines?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

JR Kyushu has announced that the Kyushu _____ will resume service between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro on September 18.

The line had been _____ after an earthquake damaged the tracks and other equipment.

According to the company, the first train of the day on September 18 will mark the _____ of the service.

JR Kyushu made the announcement at a press _____, where officials explained the situation.

The company said that some trains will run in a _____ operation mode, meaning they will travel more slowly than usual.

This careful approach is likely a _____ measure while checks continue on the repaired sections.

Meanwhile, local train lines in the region remain out of _____.

JR Kyushu is aiming to restart these conventional lines by mid-_____.

The earthquake caused significant infrastructure _____, forcing the company to halt operations for repairs.

Crews have been working to _____ the tracks and related facilities since the disruption began.

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