West Japan Railway halts Biwako Line after fatal accident at South Kusatsu

On the morning of 2 August 2026, a man was struck by a rapid train on the Biwako Line (East Sea line) at South Kusatsu Station in Shiga Prefecture. The collision caused his death and prompted West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to suspend operations on the line between Maibara and Kyoto.

The suspension affected 19 trains in each direction, leaving roughly 31,000 passengers unable to travel on the affected segment. JR West announced that services would remain halted while investigations and safety checks are carried out.