Review Begins on East Japan Railway Fare Cap Change
Overview
Following a referral from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Transport Council has begun reviewing the petition concerning authorization to change the passenger fare cap for East Japan Railway Company. It has also decided to hold a public hearing to gather a wide range of views, scheduled for November 2026 in Tokyo. Details such as the date and application procedures will be announced later. The council plans to issue its recommendation after deliberations; deliberations other than the public hearing are closed to the public.
Key points
- The Transport Council has begun reviewing the petition.
- A public hearing has been scheduled to gather a wide range of views.
- The council plans to issue its recommendation after deliberations; deliberations other than the public hearing are closed to the public.
Overview
The case concerns a petition regarding authorization to change the passenger fare cap for East Japan Railway Company. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism referred the matter on October 7, 2026, and the Transport Council began deliberations the following day.
The Transport Council is described as a standing body that receives referrals concerning authorizations and other matters from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, considers views from various quarters, and issues fair and reasonable recommendations.
Details
To gather a wide range of views for its deliberations, the council decided to hold a public hearing under Article 23 of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It is scheduled to take place in Tokyo; the date, venue, procedures for applying to make a statement or attend as an observer, and media application procedures will be announced later.
The council plans to issue its recommendation after deliberations. Deliberations other than the public hearing will be held in private, and the distributed materials and meeting summaries are scheduled to be published on the council's website after the recommendation.
The authorizations covered by the petition are those associated with National Railway Affairs No. 247, dated August 1, 2025, and Kanto Railway Supervision No. 56, dated September 26, 2025. The latter is listed as authorization to change the passenger fare cap (changes to the calculation and application methods).