Overview of Driver Training
JR East is conducting a driver training program for trainees from the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) of India.
The training consists of two main components: theoretical lectures and practical training. In the lectures, trainees learn foundational knowledge related to the Shinkansen, such as its operating systems, vehicle structure, track, and electrical facilities. In the practical sessions, they acquire hands-on skills including actual train operation, vehicle inspection, and emergency response.
Currently, the theoretical training is underway at the JR East General Education Center in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture.
The final examination for the lecture component is scheduled for late July. Those who pass will proceed to the practical training phase, scheduled from August 21, 2025, to the end of January 2026.
While the curriculum follows JR East’s own training course for Shinkansen drivers (Shinkansen Electric Train Operation Training Course – Basic Level), the purpose is not for the trainees to obtain a Japanese Shinkansen driving license.
Contents of Practical Training
As part of the practical training, trainees will operate actual Shinkansen trains as apprentice drivers to develop the skills necessary to operate high-speed rail safely and reliably.
The training will mainly take place on the Joetsu Shinkansen line (between Tokyo and Niigata). An instructor driver from JR East will always accompany the trainees and provide guidance.
All trainees possess basic Japanese communication skills, and interpreters will be present when necessary.
In the unlikely event that a transportation issue occurs during training, the instructor driver will take full responsibility and handle the situation to ensure no impact on normal operations.
Additional Information
All 16 trainees participating in this program have prior experience as railway drivers in India and have passed the aptitude tests required to operate trains in Japan.
This training is part of a Japan-based program organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japan Consulting Institute, a JR East Group company, has been contracted to carry out the program in cooperation with JR East.
Reference
Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project
This is India’s first high-speed rail construction project, aiming to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad (approx. 500 km) in about two hours. It is being developed under bilateral cooperation between the Japanese and Indian governments, with NHSRCL leading the implementation.
