Power outage-hit Japan bullet trains to remain halted throughout day

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Many bullet train services between Tokyo and stations in eastern and central Japan that were suspended due to a power outage Tuesday will remain halted throughout the day, their operator said, citing damaged electricity equipment.

The outage, which began around 10 a.m., affected sections of the Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku shinkansen lines, East Japan Railway said, forcing passengers, including tourists, to suddenly change their travel schedules. JR East said it would take a "considerable time" for a restart.