A significant power outage paralyzed central Tokyo’s rail network during Friday’s morning commute after an electrical transformer fire erupted along critical tracks. The incident, occurring near Tamachi Station at approximately 8:00 AM local time, forced the complete suspension of East Japan Railway’s Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines—two of the world’s most heavily trafficked commuter routes.
Eyewitness footage from NTV network captured the dramatic scene as hundreds of passengers evacuated from stranded trains between stations, guided to safety along the tracks by emergency responders and railway personnel. The flames, originating from track-side electrical equipment, were largely contained within thirty minutes according to NHK public broadcasting.
The disruption impacted some of Japan’s busiest transportation hubs, including Shinjuku Station which typically processes 3.5 million daily passengers, and major terminals in Tokyo and Yokohama. Railway officials initially provided no estimated restoration timeline, leaving thousands of commuters seeking alternative arrangements during the peak travel period.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of urban mass transit systems to infrastructure failures, particularly in megacities like Tokyo where rail networks form the backbone of daily transportation. While no injuries were immediately reported, the event triggered widespread commute disruptions across the metropolitan area.