由利高原鉄道株式会社

Between August 27 and 29, 2025, the Tohoku Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Yurihonjo Railway Co., Ltd. (法人番号2410001005244), headquartered in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. The audit revealed that the company did not recognize the necessity of the special general inspection of the Maesugiyama Tunnel as stipulated in Article 61 of the Track and Civil Engineering Maintenance Standards, and thus did not perform it. The company is instructed to formulate an inspection plan for the Maesugiyama Tunnel, which had not been inspected, and to record defect developments on a defect development diagram to facilitate defect recognition. Additionally, the company must review its management system to ensure proper compliance with laws and standards for future tunnel maintenance. Furthermore, it was confirmed that inspections of the vehicle roof in the critical parts and general inspections, as specified in Appendices 3 and 4 of the Vehicle Inspection Standards, were partially not conducted. The company is required to take necessary measures to ensure the proper execution and management of inspections in accordance with these standards. The guidance requests the company to report on the measures taken by March 3, 2026. The guidance emphasizes the importance of investigating the root causes of deficiencies, implementing preventive measures, and ensuring the safety of transportation operations.

Between December 14 and 17, 2021, the Akita Prefectural Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Yurihonjo Railway Co., Ltd. (corporate number 2410001005244), headquartered in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. The audit revealed violations of the Railway Business Act, specifically regarding unauthorized changes to railway facilities and rolling stock, inadequate maintenance management, and unsafe infrastructure conditions affecting public safety. The bureau has issued administrative guidance, requiring the company to implement corrective measures, investigate underlying causes, and establish preventive procedures to prevent recurrence. The company must report on the measures taken by May 9, 2022. Key violations include: 1. Unauthorized modifications to railway facilities and vehicles without following the procedures stipulated in Article 12 and 13 of the Railway Business Act, such as changes to track materials, signaling equipment, and onboard wireless communication systems. 2. Inadequate maintenance and inspection of railway infrastructure, including failure to conduct periodic inspections of signaling power supplies, track alignment, ballast conditions, and structural clearances, despite exceeding maintenance standards. 3. Unsafe conditions at public facilities, such as leaning concrete lighting poles at Yashima Station, faded crossing signals at Iizawa and Kobadoto crossings, and fallen wooden poles at Kurozawa Station. 4. Lack of proper record-keeping for safety equipment inspections and repairs, including failure to document inspection results after repairs. The guidance emphasizes the importance of establishing a management system to ensure all procedures are properly followed and safety standards are maintained, including compliance with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's technical standards for railway safety.