A local railway damaged by the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and the tsunami in the coastline of Tohoku region resumed its full operation. As the reconstruction works progressed, the Sanriku Railway Company has restarted the service in sequent. The remaining Southern Rias Line connecting Kamaishi and Yoshihama in Iwate Prefecture, resumed on April 5, while the North Rias Line on the next day.
The entire section of 107.6 km finally saw the full service first time in three years after the disaster. The ceremony was held on April 6 at Miyako Station, where many relevant people including government officials, local residents, and the construction industry attended and celebrated the reopening. The memorial train departed the station on the day.
Transport Minister Akihiro Ota addressed that Sanriku Railway is a symbol of reconstruction of Tohoku region and the ministry will accelerate the efforts toward the region’s full recovery. Construction consultants and builders such as Kumagai Gumi, Nishimatsu Construction, Tokyu Construction, and Yachiyo Engineering that were involved in the reconstruction works were also present at the ceremony. (2014/04/08)