Happy New Year.

Thank you very much for your special kindness last year.

Last year began with a series of disasters and accidents, including the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day and the collision between a Japan Airlines plane and a Japan Coast Guard plane on the 2nd. The Noto Peninsula was also hit by heavy rains in September, resulting in many double victims. We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to all those affected and pray for a speedy recovery.

The heavy rains in July and September also forced the suspension of services on our association's Akita Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo, Yuri Kogen Railway and Sanriku Railway due to landslides, flooding caused by rivers overflowing, and scouring of the shoulders of the tracks.

In this situation, I believe that last year was a year in which our association's member railway companies steadily implemented what they could, such as efforts to stimulate demand among residents along railway lines, efforts to increase passenger numbers in response to the recovery in travel demand, and responses to the 2024 logistics problem.

The Tohoku Railway Association has also been proactively working to maintain and improve the technical capabilities of its members through such measures as participating in "Railway Vehicle (Internal Combustion) Training" and training sessions conducted by Sanriku Railway, Aizu Railway, and Iwate Galaxy Railway.

Additionally, with the aim of improving railway services, initiatives such as "Train Attendant Skills Improvement Training in Yashima" and "Freight Railway Opinion Exchange Meeting" were also implemented.

As an initiative that began last year, in cooperation with the Third Sector Railway Association and Ryoko Yomiuri Publication Co.,Ltd., 14 member railway companies of our association began selling the "Tohoku/South Hokkaido Area Edition Tetsu-in-cho（鉄印帳）" from October 4th. We have heard that sales are going well, and we hope to develop it into an essential item for travel around the Tohoku/South Hokkaido area by using the regional railways.

Building on last year's achievements, we will continue to work closely with local stakeholders to further strengthen safety measures and improve services as social infrastructure that supports local life and contributes to revitalizing the region.

In closing, I hope that this year will be a wonderful one for everyone, and I would like to ask for your continued support and cooperation for the Tohoku Railway Association and its member railway companies. This concludes my New Year's greetings.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　New Year's Day, 2025

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The Tohoku Railway Association 

        　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Chairperson   Choniro Sawada