Japan Railway Journal is a TV program from NHK World TV documenting rail transport in Japan that started broadcasting on March 8, 2015.

Japan Railway Journal
GenreDocuseries
Directed byKunugiyama Mikio
Presented by
  • Russell Totten
  • Takagi Ryo
  • Nathan Berry
  • Cathy Cat (2021 - present)
Theme music composerThe C-52's
Country of originJapan
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Ito Jun
  • Kojima Nobuo
ProducerWako Takehiro
CinematographyMuranaka Takeo
EditorMurakami Shuichi
Running time30 minutes
Production companyNHK World-Japan
Original release
NetworkNHK World-Japan TV
ReleaseMarch 8, 2015 (2015-03-08)

Overview

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The program showcases the charm and the cutting-edge technology of rail transport in Japan. New episodes are broadcast 1 to 2 times a month.

At first, many of the talking sections were filmed in a bar with a train diorama, "Bar Ginza Panorama" in Shinjuku. Now, filming these sections on-location at the featured rail facilities is more common.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NHK World has been showing Japan Railway Journal repeats in lieu of new episodes. The combination of studio presentation and on-site reporting makes it difficult for video production.

Broadcast times

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  • First broadcast: Fridays 0:30 - 1:00 JST on NHK World TV
  • Rebroadcasts:
    • NHK World TV (JST): Fridays 6:30 - 7:00 ; 12:30 - 13:00; 18:30 - 19:00
    • BS1 (JST): Wednesdays 3:00 - 3:30 (From 2016 - broadcasts may be cancelled due to sports programs)
      • Broadcasts outside Japan will come 5 days after Japan at the earliest, but on weeks with no new programs, older ones will be rebroadcast.

Actors

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  • Presenter: Miki Clark (2024-)
  • Presenter: Cathy Cat (2021-)
  • Commentators: Takagi Ryo, Ph.D. (Professor at Kogakuin University)[1] and various female tarento who like railways (see "Guest" column of the episode list)

Previous actors

  • Presenter: Nathan Berry (2018-2020)
  • Presenter: Russell Totten (until 2017)[2]
  • Assistant: Sarah MacDonald (in 2017)

Main topics

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Special Rail Report
Section which features that week's main topic.
Railway Topics
Short segment which features the latest themes in railways.
Hands-on Railway History
Russell Totten visits railway museums in Japan and presents railway history.
Avid Rail Communities
Russell Totten and a female guest showcase a community related to railways in Japan.

Episode list

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NHK World

First broadcast date
BS1

First broadcast date
Title Japanese Title Guest
1 March 8, 2015 March 11, 2015 The Railway Revival: 4 years after the Great Earthquake 大震災から4

よみがえる鉄路
-
2 April 9, 2015 April 18, 2015 The New Shinkansen: Technology and Economic Effects 北陸新幹線

その技術と経済効果
Jessica Claros
3 May 14, 2015 May 11, 2015 Isumi Railway: There's Nothing Here! いすみ鉄道

ここには、何もないがあります
Charlotte Kate Fox
4 June 12, 2015 May 31, 2015 Diesel Hybrid Trains: Japan's World-Leading Technology 世界をリードする

ハイブリッドディーゼル車両
Rei Kitada
5 July 10, 2015 June 7, 2015 Battery Hybrid Trains: Development of the Global Technology 世界が注目!

バッテリー電車最前線
Rei Kitada
6 August 14, 2015 July 5, 2015 Japan's Subway Technology in High Density Operation 世界に売れる日本の地下鉄 Rei Kitada
7 October 9, 2015 September 6, 2015 The Secret of Operating Preserved Steam Locomotives 動態保存SLの舞台裏 Rena Matsui
8 November 13, 2015 November 22, 2015 Special Preview - Hokkaido Shinkansen: Hopes and Challenges ひと足先に見せます

北海道新幹線 期待と課題
Rena Matsui
9 December 4, 2015 June 29, 2015 Yamanote Line: The Green Rotating Heart of Tokyo 東京の顔

“山手線”が変わる
Miki Murai [ja]
10 January 15, 2016 August 3, 2016 Seven Stars in Kyushu: The Local Revitalizing Cruise Train ななつ星in九州 Saya Ichikawa
11 February 12, 2016 August 30, 2016 Second Chances for Used Trains in Southeast Asia 東南アジアで人気!

日本製中古車両
Miki Murai [ja]
12 March 11, 2016 April 27, 2016 Earthquake Safety: What 5 Years has Taught Us 震災の教訓を生かせ

鉄道の災害対策最前線
Miki Murai [ja]
13 April 8, 2016 April 13, 2016 Superconducting Maglev: The Extreme Speeds of Tomorrow リニア中央新幹線 Miki Murai [ja]
14 April 15, 2016 April 20, 2016 Ekiben: A True Rail Traveling Companion ニッポンの鉄道の名脇役Ekiben Atsumi Furuya [ja]
15 May 13, 2016 May 18, 2016 Premium Express Shimakaze: A Train of Dreams to Reality いざ伊勢志摩へ

しまかぜ”成功の秘密
Miki Murai [ja]
16 May 20, 2016 May 25, 2016 The Cat Stationmaster Who Rescued a Railway たま駅長”の再建物語

~和歌山電鐵~
Miki Murai [ja]
17 June 10, 2016 June 19, 2016 New Generation Express: Journey to Speed and Comfortability 次世代特急

スーパーあずさ”の実力
Miki Murai [ja]
18 June 17, 2016 June 21, 2016 The Future of Rail Freight Transport 内外から注目

見直される鉄道貨物最前線
Miki Murai [ja]
19 July 15, 2016 July 20, 2016 Light Rail Vehicles: Modern Trams Reshaping Urban Transit 次世代型路面電車最前線 Naomi Yano [ja]
20 July 22, 2016 July 27, 2016 Kyoto Railway Museum: The Story of Rail Transport in Japan 鉄道史が凝縮!

京都鉄道博物館の魅力
Naomi Yano [ja]
21 August 5, 2016 August 24, 2016 Keikyu: The Strive for World-Class Rail Operation 人間主導で安定運行実現

京浜急行電鉄
Miki Murai [ja]
22 September 16, 2016 October 4, 2016 World-Class Maintenance: The Backbone of Shinkansen Operations 新幹線を支える

メンテナンスの裏側
Naomi Yano [ja]
23 October 7, 2016 November 9, 2016 Railways Back on Track: Six Months after the Kumamoto Earthquakes 熊本地震から半

九州の鉄道復旧状況
Naomi Yano [ja]
24 October 14, 2016 November 23, 2016 Future Prospects Made in the Past: JR East's Steam Loco Strategy SL運行に勝算あり!

JR東日本の戦略
Momo Itō [ja]
25 November 11, 2016 December 11, 2016 Picking Up the Pace: JR Shikoku's Tactics for Survival 生き残りかけた高速化

JR四国経営戦略
Miki Murai [ja]
26 December 9, 2016 December 21, 2016 The Seeds of Success: Kyoto's Sagano Scenic Railway 嵯峨野観光鉄道

トロッコ列車成功の秘密
Tomomi Kuno [ja]
27 January 13, 2017 February 1, 2017 Turning Problems into Opportunities: The Tsugaru Railway's Strategy 津軽鉄道

危機を救った商社出身社長の戦略
Naomi Yano [ja]
28 January 20, 2017 February 8, 2017 Japan's World-Class Rail and Wheels 世界に誇る日本製レール

車輪の秘密
Miki Murai [ja]
29 February 17, 2017 March 1, 2017 Keihan Electric Railway: Advanced Technology that Dominated the Railway Hub 京阪電鉄

鉄道激戦区を制した先進技術
Miki Murai [ja]
30 March 10, 2017 March 15, 2017 The Long Winter of Discontent: One Railway's Battle against Snow 雪との闘い JR飯山線の長い冬 Tomomi Kuno [ja]
31 April 7, 2017 April 12, 2017 Dreams of a Texas Bullet Train: Future Plans for Japan's High-Speed Railways テキサス新幹線計画

JR東海の戦略
Sarah MacDonald
32 April 14, 2017 April 19, 2017 Using Railways to Promote Local Tourism: Kyushu Railway Company's Strategy 鉄道は観光資源

JR九州の地域戦略
Sarah MacDonald
33 May 12, 2017 May 17, 2017 Toden Arakawa Line: A Hidden Gem for Tourists from Overseas 訪日外国人に人気!

都電荒川線の魅力
Sarah MacDonald
34 May 19, 2017 June 7, 2017 All the Comfort You Require: Onboard Services on Japanese Trains 進化する鉄道の車内販売 Sarah MacDonald
35 June 16, 2017 July 5, 2017 The Unsung Hero of Japanese Railways: Series Kiha 40 Diesel Trains 日本の鉄道の影の主役

キハ40系気動車
Sarah MacDonald

Wakako Miyamoto [ja] (reporter)
36 July 14, 2017 August 23, 2017 Airport Express Lines: How Competition is Improving the Ride into the City 成田関空アクセス鉄道 Sarah MacDonald
37 August 4, 2017 September 20, 2017 Prepaid E-money Cards: The Smart Way to Travel in Japan 世界に誇るICカード乗車券 Sarah MacDonald
38 August 11, 2017 September 27, 2017 HIGH RAIL 1375: The Tourist Train That Touches New Heights HIGH RAIL 1375の魅力 Sarah MacDonald

Wakako Miyamoto [ja] (reporter)
39 September 8, 2017 October 4, 2017 Train Suite Shiki-shima: The High-Tech Luxury Cruise Train トランスイート四季島 Wakako Miyamoto [ja]
40 September 15, 2017 October 11, 2017 A Long-Awaited Whistle: Tobu Railway's Steam Service Revival よみがえった汽笛

東武鉄道SL復活
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
41 October 6, 2017 October 24, 2017 Rediscovering Old Horizons: Preservation and Utilization of Railway Heritage 広がる鉄道遺産の保存と活用 Wakako Miyamoto [ja]

Miki Murai [ja]
42 October 20, 2017 November 8, 2017 Hankyu Corporation: A Leading Private Railway Company's Business Model 鉄道会社経営多角化のモデル

阪急電鉄
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
43 November 17, 2017 December 5, 2017 Advanced Urban Travel: Japan's Monorail Systems モノレール大国 ニッポンの技術力 Wakako Miyamoto [ja]
44 December 15, 2017 January 10, 2018 Safeguarding the System: Maintaining [ja] JR Central's Conventional Line 在来線の安全を守る JR東海 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
45 January 12, 2018 January 31, 2018 Driving Forward with Steam: Oigawa Railway's Strategy SL運行で活路を開く

大井川鐵道の戦略
Miki Clark
46 January 19, 2018 February 7, 2018 Hokuriku Shinkansen Update: Re-assessing the Effects and Challenges 3 Years On 北陸新幹線金沢開業3

効果と課題
Sarah MacDonald
47 February 16, 2018 February 21, 2018 JR OITA CITY: The Station Complex that Changed the Game 駅ビル開発 JRおおいたシティ Okada Naoka (緒方直加)

(NHK Ōita newscaster)
48 March 2, 2018 March 7, 2018 Enoshima Electric Railway: A Good Old 10km Ride 全線10キロの優良鉄道

江ノ島電鉄
Miki Clark
49 April 6, 2018 April 25, 2018 A New Generation of Commuter Train: Tokyu Corporation's Series 2020 次世代通勤電車 東急2020系新技術 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
50 April 20, 2018 May 9, 2018 The Ultimate in Comfort: New Limited Express Super Azusa 新型“スーパーあずさ” Miki Clark
51 May 25, 2018 June 13, 2018 Tobu Railway's Revaty Express: Moving Forward to a Better Nikko 新型特急でNikko活性化 東武鉄道 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]

Miki Clark
52 June 8, 2018 June 27, 2018 Gakunan Electric Train: A New Outlook in the Foothills of Mt. Fuji 富士山と夜景で誘客

岳南電車の挑戦
Izumo Ayano (出雲あや乃)

(NHK Shizuoka newscaster)
53 July 13, 2018 August 1, 2018 Kominato Railway: The Strategy of a Quaint Local Railway 里山とレトロで誘客

小湊鐵道の経営戦略
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
54 July 20, 2018 August 8, 2018 The Golden Route to Hakone: Limited Express Romancecar and the Mountain Train 鉄道で行く箱根ゴールデンルート

ロマンスカー登山電車
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
55 July 27, 2018 August 15, 2018 New-Look Railway Museum: A Wonderland of Japan's Railway History 鉄道博物館

リニューアルオープン
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
56 September 21, 2018 October 16, 2018 Shinano Railway: Managing the Risks of the Next 30 Years しなの鉄道

30年後を見据えた経営戦略
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
57 September 28, 2018 October 24, 2018 Chartered Tour Trains: Special Times for Special Tours 時刻表にない観光列車

団体専用列車
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
58 October 19, 2018 November 7, 2018 Nagoya Railroad: Advancing with Easy Airport Access and a Famous Castle Town 空港特急と犬山観光でおもてなし

名古屋鉄道の観光戦略
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
59 October 26, 2018 November 14, 2018 JR Central: Enticing Tourists with Helpful Services & Events 観光列車ブームに頼らない

JR東海の観光戦略
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
60 November 9, 2018 December 5, 2018 Iwate Galaxy Railway: Launching Services for the Community IGRいわて銀河鉄道

地域密着サービスで乗客を増やす
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
61 November 23, 2018 December 12, 2018 Echizen Railway: Heading into the Future with the Community Onboard 地域が走らせる鉄道

えちぜん鉄道
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
62 December 21, 2018 January 16, 2019[3] Seibu Railway: Setting its Sights on the Chichibu Region ターゲットは秩父

西武鉄道の観光戦略
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
63 January 18, 2019 January 30, 2019 New Year Trains: Beginning the New Year with a Journey 新年の特別列車

初詣列車と初日の出列車
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
64 February 8, 2019 February 20, 2019 JR Gono Line: A Popular Local Line Worth the Journey 日本一乗りたいローカル線

JR五能線
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
65 February 15, 2019 March 20, 2019 Amaterasu Railway: A Tourist Attraction Making the Most of a Discontinued Line 廃線観光で復活!

宮崎県・高千穂あまてらす鉄道
Yokoyama Marina (横山真里奈)

(NHK Miyazaki newscaster)
66 March 29, 2019 May 1, 2019 Yamanote Line: Tokyo's Ever Evolving Loop Line JR山手線

進化を続ける東京の環状線
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
67 April 12, 2019 May 15, 2019 JR Hokkaido's Yubari Line: A Beloved Local Line Comes to an End 廃止に追い込まれるローカル線

JR石勝線夕張支線
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
68 April 26, 2019 May 29, 2019 Tokyo Metro: A Subway Network On Time & On Track 東京メトロ

世界に誇る正確・安全性
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
69 May 24, 2019 July 10, 2019 Nishi-Nippon Railroad: Fine Dining on an Even Finer Tourist Train 食にこだわる観光列車

西日本鉄道
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
70 May 31, 2019 July 24, 2019 Hiroshima Electric Railway: On Track on the Streets 都市輸送を担う路面電車

広島電鉄
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
71 June 28, 2019 August 21, 2019 Hankai Tramway: Osaka's One & Only Tram Network 大阪唯一の路面電車

阪堺電気軌道
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
72 July 12, 2019 September 18, 2019 Choshi Electric Railway: Finding New Ways to Get Back on Track 全線6.4kmの軌跡 銚子電鉄 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
73 July 26, 2019 October 9, 2019 JR Osaka Loop Line: Developing a Better, More User-Friendly Line 乗りたい路線に大改造

JR大阪環状線
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
74 September 13, 2019 November 13, 2019 Kyoto Tango Railway: A Bus Company to the Rescue バス会社は鉄道を救うか

京都丹後鉄道
Ishii Maiko (石井麻衣子)
75 September 27, 2019 December 11, 2019 South Hokkaido Railway: A Tourist Train Developed by a Tour Company 観光列車

道南いさりび鉄道
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
76 October 11, 2019 January 8, 2020 Chizu Express: A Top Tier Third Sector Railway 三セク鉄道の優等生

智頭急行
77 October 25, 2019 February 26, 2020 Hitachinaka Seaside Railway: Pulling Together with the Local Community ひたちなか海浜鉄道 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
78 November 8, 2019 March 25, 2020 JR's Ekinaka Development Project: A New Lifestyle Below the Chuo Line 進化する“エキナカ”ビジネス

JR中央線
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
79 November 22, 2019 February 5, 2020 Introducing the N700S: JR Central's Next-Generation Shinkansen 次世代新幹線N700Sの全貌

JR東海
80 December 13, 2019 February 12, 2020 New Technology Opening the Future of the Railway 最新テクノロジーが開く“鉄道の未来”

鉄道技術展2019
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
81 December 27, 2019 February 19, 2020 Reviewing the New Trains of 2019 次代を映す新型車両2019 Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
82 January 17, 2020 April 20, 2020 Sunrise Seto and Izumo: The Last of the Overnight Sleeper Trains 生き残った寝台列車 サンライズ瀬戸出雲 Donna Burke
83 February 14, 2020 May 13, 2020 Echigo Tokimeki Railway: A Railway for Everyone 鉄道は赤字でも地域は黒字にできる

えちごトキめき鉄道
Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
84 March 27, 2020 June 10, 2020[4] A Guide to Tokyo's Airport Access Lines 最新情報!

成田、羽田アクセス線
Marie Yanaka
85 April 17, 2020 Kintetsu Railway's Hinotori: Challenging the Shinkansen with Comfort Yasuna Mizobata [ja]
86 May 1, 2020 May 26, 2020 Takanawa Gateway Station: The New Gateway to Tokyo 高輪ゲートウェイ駅の全貌
87 June 5, 2020 June 17, 2020 Securing the Future of Japan's Local Railways ローカル鉄道活性化への取り組み
88 July 10, 2020 July 29, 2020[5] The Blue Ribbon & Laurel Prize: Japan's Best New Trains ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞
89 July 31, 2020 Bicycle Onboard: Cycling with JR East Michael Rice
90 August 7, 2020 Heisei Chikuho Railway: A Tourist Train Recovering from the Pandemic Naoka Ogata

YouTube Playlist of all publicly available episodes[6] (This is not NHK official playlist. Please read playlist comment.)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Takagi, Ryo (7 June 2020). "高木 亮 (TAKAGI Ryou)". Kogakuin University. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ Totten, Russell (27 April 2016). "ラッセル トッテン" [Russell Totten] (in Japanese). Toyo Keizai. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. ^ "「鉄オタ選手権 京成電鉄の陣」の再放送など 1月第3週のテレビ番組" [Rebroadcast of "Railfan Championship: Keisei Electric Railway Campaign" and others: TV Programs in the 3rd week of January]. RailLab (in Japanese). 15 January 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  4. ^ "NHK「Japan Railway Journal」で空港アクセス線" [Airport Access Lines on NHK's "Japan Railway Journal"]. RailLab (in Japanese). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ "ジャパンレールウェイジャーナルでブルーリボン賞紹介 今週の鉄道TV" [Blue Ribbon Award presentation on Japan Railway Journal: This Week's Railway TV]. RailLab (in Japanese). 28 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Japan Railway Journal NHK - YouTube". YouTube. (This is not NHK official playlist. Please read playlist comment.)
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