THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
August 28, 2025 at 15:35 JST
A train on the Joetsu Shinkansen Line (Asahi Shimbun file photo
A man in his 50s sustained a minor burn to his hand after his mobile battery emitted smoke inside a Tokyo-bound bullet train on the Joetsu Shinkansen Line, causing a slight delay in the system.
According to police, the passenger noticed smoke coming from his carry-on suitcase, which was placed around his feet, at around 8 a.m. on Aug. 28.
The Toki No. 300 was traveling between Omiya and Ueno stations at the time.
He discovered that a mobile battery inside the case was emitting smoke.
It appears that the man was burned while trying to smother the smoldering battery with clothing. The battery was removed from the train at Ueno Station.
According to East Japan Railway Co., the 12-car Toki No. 300 from Niigata Station arrived at Tokyo Station with a delay of nine minutes.
The return service, the Toki No. 307, departed Tokyo Station 15 minutes behind schedule after being switched to a different train set.
(This article was written by Ai Asanuma and Jin Hirakawa.)
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