Photo/Illutration An employee at JR Shin-Osaka Station uses a megaphone Aug. 14 to inform travelers about the suspension of Shinkansen services planned for Aug. 15. (Kazutaka Toda)

Typhoon No. 7 will halt parts of Japan’s main bullet-train networks on Aug. 15 during the Bon holidays when the powerful, slow-moving storm is expected to make landfall.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) announced late on Aug. 13 that it will suspend services between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line for Aug. 15, and substantially reduce the number of runs between Tokyo and Nagoya stations.

The company will not take reservations except for the Green Cars.

West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced early on Aug. 14 that it will suspend services between Shin-Osaka and Okayama stations on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line, and decrease the number of runs between Okayama and Hakata stations.

Although an overall suspension was not planned for the Tokaido Shinkansen Line on Aug. 14 and 16, JR Tokai said services may be canceled depending on the influence of the typhoon.

The railway disruptions have forced some people who returned to their hometowns during the Bon holiday period to cut back their plans.

Yuichi Hagihara, 44, a company employee who was staying at his parents’ home in Osaka, decided to return to Tokyo on Aug. 14, two days earlier than scheduled.

“It is a pity, but I have no choice,” he said at JR Shin-Osaka Station. “I am relieved that I was able to book a seat on the Shinkansen home.”

A 46-year-old woman who lives in Osaka Prefecture saw off her daughter and her husband as they headed back to Nagoya a day earlier than scheduled.

“Their homecoming was cut short to only three days, but family members have spent a relaxing Bon holidays together,” she said.

Japan Airlines Co. canceled 240 flights, mainly those to and from Osaka, on Aug. 15, as well as 19 flights to and from Osaka and Kyushu on Aug. 14.

All Nippon Airways Co. canceled 12 flights connecting Haneda Airport in Tokyo with Hachijojima island, south of the capital, on Aug. 14-15. The airline said more flights may be suspended.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for precautions against torrential rain particularly in the Tokai, Kinki and Kanto-Koshin regions as linear rain bands are expected to form in these areas from Aug. 14 to Aug. 15.

Very strong winds are expected along the Pacific coast from eastern to western Japan through Aug. 15.

JMA officials said gusts in the Tokai and Kinki regions could be powerful enough to overturn running trucks.

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