A battery under a Tokyu Toyoko Line train emitted smoke at Nakameguro Station on Saturday, causing a partial service suspension [1, 2].
The incident disrupted one of Tokyo's busiest commuter arteries, highlighting potential safety vulnerabilities in the under-floor battery systems of the rail fleet.
The disruption began around 3:30 p.m. JST [2], when smoke was detected coming from the first carriage of the train [2]. The Tokyo Fire Department said smoke emerged from a battery located under the floor of the vehicle [3].
Service was suspended between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka stations as emergency crews responded to the scene [1, 3]. Station staff said the fire occurred under the first carriage and the train stopped immediately [2].
Police said there were zero injuries, and no passengers reported feeling ill following the incident [2]. The Tokyo Fire Department handled the emergency response at the station located in Meguro-ku [2, 3].
Tokyu Corporation and local authorities are investigating the exact cause of the battery failure. Full line operations resumed later the same day after the safety threat was neutralized [1, 3].
“Smoke emerged from a battery located under the floor of the vehicle”
This incident underscores the critical need for rigorous monitoring of under-floor energy storage systems in urban rail networks. While the lack of injuries suggests effective emergency protocols, the failure of a battery in a high-traffic area like Nakameguro Station could prompt Tokyu Corporation to accelerate maintenance schedules or update battery housing specifications to prevent future smoke-related disruptions.
