Photo/Illutration An E235 series train runs on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo’s Minato Ward in May 2018. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Sections of the Yamanote loop and Keihin-Tohoku lines in Tokyo will be suspended Nov. 16 for construction work related to the opening of Takanawa Gateway Station next spring.

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) said the Yamanote Line will be suspended for stations between Ueno and Osaki sandwiching Tokyo from the first train until about 4 p.m.

Operations will be reduced to around 70 percent on the line, with outer loop trains ending at Ueno and going back to Osaki, while inner loop trains end at Osaki and going back to Ueno.

The Keihin-Tohoku Line will be down all day between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations.

Trains heading north from Ofuna Station will go to Shinagawa and back, while trains heading south from Omiya Station will go to Tamachi or Higashi-Jujo stations and back, with no limited express service.

The construction work involves adding switch equipment to connect the lines to Takanawa Gateway in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

In addition to increasing train service on the Ueno-Tokyo Line and other lines during the suspension, JR East will allow passengers to use alternative lines including subways operated by Tokyo Metro Co. or Toei Transportation.

It is the first time that the Yamanote Line has been suspended for construction work since 1987 when JR East was launched.

The partial suspension is expected to affect about 560,000 passengers.