East Japan Railway Company suspended the Yokosuka Line between Tokyo and Shinagawa stations for all-day repairs on June 6 [3].
This shift toward continuous daytime and nighttime maintenance marks a significant change in how the company manages infrastructure. By moving work into the day, JR East said it aims to improve maintenance efficiency and implement a "work-style reform" for its crews [1].
The repair project focused on tunnel walls and the replacement of sleepers [1]. Work began after the final train departed on June 5 [1] and continued through the night and the following day. The operation concluded before the first train resumed service on June 7 [2].
The all-day shutdown on June 6 [3] impacted the segment between Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station [4]. The Narita Express also faced partial suspensions, specifically affecting the Tokyo–Shinjuku and Tokyo–Ōfuna sections [5].
JR East has scheduled similar suspensions for future maintenance dates. The company said it plans to repeat this continuous work model on Sept. 5 and Nov. 7 [6].
“JR East aims to improve maintenance efficiency and implement a 'work-style reform' for its crews.”
The decision to suspend service during daylight hours represents a departure from the traditional Japanese railway model of performing almost all maintenance during narrow overnight windows. By adopting a continuous work cycle, JR East is attempting to reduce the physical and mental strain on workers who typically operate under extreme time pressure at night, while potentially increasing the quality of tunnel structural repairs.
