More than 100 copper cables attached to rail joints were cut and removed on two JR lines in Yamaguchi Prefecture, affecting service. JR says that a sharp tool may have been used to cut it, and police are investigating the details of the situation, suspecting theft as the damage was widespread.
According to JR West Japan, from the 7th to the 8th, copper rail bonds called ``Rail Bonds'' were installed at the joints of rails on the premises of Achisu Station on the JR Ube Line in Yamaguchi City and on the JR Sanyo Main Line in Ube City. More than 100 cables were found to have been cut.
Due to restoration work, the JR Ube Line and Sanyo Main Line had a major impact, with operations temporarily suspended.
"Rail Bond" is a bundle of conductive wires used to send current to traffic lights, and both ends fixed to the rail were cut off and taken away.
Since the diameter of the "Rail Bond" is more than a few centimeters, JR is consulting with the police, as it is possible that a sharp tool was used to cut it.
The damage was widespread, and police are investigating the situation in detail, suspecting that the incident may have been theft.
The customers
On the morning of the 9th, a new cable measuring 80 centimeters long and 2 centimeters in diameter was installed at the joint on the side of the rail near Achisu Station in Yamaguchi City.
An office worker in his 50s who uses JR trains for commuting said, ``I was worried whether the train would work.I heard that something similar happened on the Sanyo Main Line, so I'm worried that it will happen again.''
In addition, a woman in her 90s who lives along the tracks said, ``I've lived here for 40 years, but I've never heard of anything like this. It's creepy.''