The City of Kumamoto held the first meeting of an expert panel on October 22 to discuss measures for revitalizing the city’s troubled tram system, which has faced frequent accidents and operational issues. The “Kumamoto City Tram Revitalization Project” panel includes specialists in transport safety and railway engineering and will compile recommendations by spring 2026. At the inaugural meeting, chaired by University of Tokyo Professor Takafumi Koseki, members reviewed current organizational and staffing challenges. Future sessions will address workforce management, maintenance, safety oversight, and ridership goals. Additional meetings are scheduled for January and March 2026, after which the city aims to finalize plans to restore public trust and stabilize operations in the historic tram network. Source: Kumamoto City / TKU
Stay informed with the latest Fukuoka & Kyushu news and events in English. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter today and never miss a beat. Opt out anytime, your privacy is our priority. Get the inside scoop with The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.