Kumamoto Earthquake Halts Kyushu Shinkansen, Restoration Seen Unlikely Before September
Kyushu Railway (TYO:9142) said the Kyushu Shinkansen between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo remains suspended until the end of the month following the July 28 earthquake in the region, according to a Tokyo bourse filing on Friday.It said the Kumamoto-Shin-Minamata section is expected to require extensive restoration work due to ground deformation at the Hinagu Fault intersection, making a resumption by the end of August unlikely.Conventional lines also suffered widespread damage, with the Kagoshima Main Line between Uto and Yatsushiro facing similarly prolonged suspension, though the Kumamoto-Uto segment is set to resume Aug. 2.Alternative bus services for affected sections remain uncertain due to road damage assessments and vehicle shortages while JR Kumamoto City station facilities are gradually reopening from July 31.The full financial impact is still being evaluated, with further disclosures to follow as assessments progress.
