EAST Japan Railway Company (JR East) began scheduled operations at 320km/h on the Tohoku Shinkansen with the timetable change on March 16.

ALSTOM and Thales have been selected by JR East to negotiate a contract to install communications-based train control (CBTC) on the Ayase - Toride Joban Local suburban line in Tokyo with a view to awarding a contract to one of the companies in December. JR East plans to introduce CBTC on the line in about 2020.

THE International Union of Railways (UIC) has nominated Mr Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways (RZD) as its next chairman. The appointment will be ratified at the UIC's next general assembly in Paris in December. Yakunin will then serve as UIC chairman for two years.

JR East has selected Knorr-Bremse to supply braking equipment for its latest-generation E6 Shinaknsen trains, 23 of which will be delivered from next March for use on Tokyo - Akita services.

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) launched its latest radio-based train control system on October 10 2011. Takashi Kato, manager, and Kenji Fujita, deputy manager of electrical and signal network system department at JR East, highlight the merits and characteristics of the new system.

EAST Japan Railway (JR East) is to acquire a controlling interest in Japanese train manufacturer Tokyu Car Corporation, in a deal worth Yen 6.5bn ($US 85.4m) which will take effect on April 2 2012.

OFFICIALS from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, as well as representatives of JR East and JR Central, visited India's railways minister Mr Dinesh Trivedi last month, with the intention of promoting Japanese high-speed rail technology.

COMMERCIAL operation of JR East's Advanced Train Administration and Communications System (Atacs), started on the Senseki Line commuter route in Sendai on October 10.