Visually Impaired Plaintiffs Oppose JR Kyushu’s Unstaffed Stations After Blind Woman’s Death

From News Dig TBS

August 11 2025

Oita City – A briefing session was held regarding the lawsuit over JR Kyushu’s move to make stations unstaffed, in which the plaintiffs once again shared their view that unstaffing stations lowers safety.

This lawsuit concerns JR Kyushu’s unstaffing of stations in Oita Prefecture, with people who have physical or visual disabilities seeking damages.

On the 11th, the plaintiffs held a briefing session, looking back on the trial so far and appealing that unstaffing compromises safety.

They also expressed the opinion that JR’s investigation into a 2022 accident, when an elderly woman with visual impairment was struck by a train at JR Tsukumi Station, was inadequate.

Attorney Yasuyuki Tokuda said:

“Even if there are management and profitability issues, this is a matter that must never be neglected. The absolute premise of the railway business is that railway users must never lose their lives.”

Yoshimi Kugimiya stated:

“I don’t mind if convenience is reduced. Even if there’s only one train an hour, that’s fine. All we want is to be able to use the railway safely and with peace of mind.”

Regarding the accident, the citizens’ group “Society to Create an Oita Prefecture Where Everyone Can Live in Safety” submitted to JR Kyushu on August 7 a petition with over 23,000 signatures calling for safety measures and other improvements.