Stranded Overnight Due to Heavy Snow, Media Slams JR While Passengers Remain Grateful

Some passengers, unable to wait any longer, chose to walk away. (Photo / AP)

Japan’s Tohoku and Hokkaido regions often experience severe transportation disruptions due to weather conditions after winter sets in. Around 7 p.m. on the evening of the 11th of this month, a JR Shinetsu Line train became stuck between Tōkōji Station and Obiori Station in Sanjō City, Niigata Prefecture, due to heavy snow, and did not resume its journey until 10:25 a.m. the next day — meaning passengers spent 15 hours aboard the train.

Although JR promptly held a press conference to explain the situation, stating that the train should have been halted but the error in judgment led to the incident, Japanese media criticized JR for mishandling the situation and questioned why no shuttle buses were dispatched to assist passengers. Much of the criticism was directed at JR. However, the passengers actually on the train had completely opposite views.

Due to considerable public criticism toward JR, passengers who were stranded on the train that day spoke out online to express their gratitude toward JR, arguing that those who criticized simply weren’t there and couldn’t understand how hard JR employees worked. Both the conductors who managed the situation inside and outside the train, as well as the personnel clearing snow outside, went without rest or sleep for extended periods and endured far more hardship than the passengers.

It is understood that around 430 passengers were on the train. JR not only immediately sent personnel to clear the snow, but staff also collected supplies from nearby stations to distribute drinks and food to passengers. The electricity and heating inside the train cars remained fully operational. As for why shuttle buses were not deployed and passengers were asked to remain on the train, JR explained that the train was stuck in the middle of a field with no accessible roads nearby, and that considerations for passenger convenience and safety led to the decision not to send vehicles to transport them.