熊本市

Since January 2024, the Kumamoto City transportation bureau has been requested to investigate causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence for numerous incidents, including accidents and major incidents. Despite efforts to improve following safety audits (notably on September 20, 2024), a vehicle collision at Kumamoto Castle and City Hall station on March 25, 2025, resulted in multiple injuries. The investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board is ongoing. In response, safety audits conducted from March 27 and April 15-18, 2025, identified new areas needing improvement, leading to further directives. These include verifying and revising driver training and knowledge verification procedures, ensuring proper vehicle abandonment protocols (such as carrying the lever handle), and confirming the accuracy and reporting of pre-operation vehicle inspections. The bureau is instructed to establish management systems for these procedures, conduct staff education, and report on measures taken by August 18, 2025. The overarching goal is to strengthen safety management systems, ensure accurate operational procedures, and prevent future incidents.

On September 20, 2024, the Kumamoto City railway operator was instructed under the Railway Operation Regulations by the Kyushu Transport Bureau to ensure proper safety management following a safety audit (document No. 19). Despite these instructions and ongoing improvements, a vehicle collision occurred around 8:31 AM near Kumamoto Castle and City Hall station, injuring six passengers and one driver. This incident is considered serious as it undermines public trust in the public transportation system. The authorities emphasize the importance of recognizing the severity of the incident, conducting a prompt and thorough investigation into the cause, and implementing necessary measures to prevent recurrence. The operator is required to submit a written report detailing the cause and specific preventive actions. This constitutes administrative guidance issued by the Kyushu Transport Bureau.

On September 20, 2024, the Kyushu Transport Bureau issued an improvement directive based on safety audits conducted on Kumamoto City's railway operations under the Railway Act. Kumamoto City submitted an interim report on October 21, 2024, detailing corrective measures, and is working towards a final report. Despite these efforts, incidents continued, including a derailment on December 31, 2024, between Kumamoto Castle/City Hall and Hanabatake-cho stations, believed to be caused by track gauge widening. Post-accident track maintenance revealed new gauge widening near the site, affecting passengers due to service suspensions. The bureau has instructed Kumamoto City to re-verify the safety of all tracks, review current maintenance methods, investigate underlying causes, and develop measures to prevent recurrence, ensuring proper safety management of transportation operations. The city is also required to promptly report on measures taken.

Since January 2024, the Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau has experienced multiple incidents, including trains operating with open doors and signals being ignored despite showing stop indications. Despite directives from authorities to investigate causes and prevent recurrence, a derailment occurred on July 26, 2024, between Tamazaki Bridge and Nibongi stations. An audit conducted from July 10-12 and August 5-7 revealed deficiencies requiring corrective measures. The bureau must verify and improve its safety management system, focusing on safety supervisors, and address issues such as staff training, health assessments, and track maintenance. Specific issues include lack of training plans, insufficient skill and health checks, inadequate pre- and post-shift mental and physical condition checks, and failure to maintain track gauge and level standards. If the bureau fails to implement necessary improvements or if violations recur, the authorities may order business improvements based on relevant laws, citing risks to transportation safety and public interest.