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▼ Indonesia Considers Restricting Used Train Car Imports from Japan
- Category:Event
JAKARTA — Moves to restrict imports of used Japanese train cars have surfaced in Indonesia, where Japan-built rolling stock is a mainstay of rail lines.
The Indonesian government began discussing restricting imports in response to calls for putting higher priority on domestic train cars.
If other countries begin to take similar action, Japan may lose destinations for used train cars, prompting concern among relevant officials.
More than 90%
In the Jakarta metropolitan area, train cars once used on the JR Saikyo Line and Tokyu Denentoshi Line can be seen running on rail lines. PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek, which operates rail services in the area, has imported retired train cars from East Japan Railway Co., Tokyo Metro Co., Tokyu Corp., and other companies. Of the about 860 train cars the Indonesian railway company owns, used Japanese train cars account for more than 90 percent.
Generally, the cost to purchase a new train car is said to be about ¥100 million. Compared to this, many used Japanese train cars cost only several hundred thousand yen each. Used Japanese trains are also frequently used in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and they have gained a great reputation for their low incidence of malfunctions.
JR East has exported more than 600 used train cars since the 1990s. An official of a major railway company said, if exports from other railway companies are included, “We assume as many as 2,000 used train cars have been exported from Japan.”
‘Japanese style’
The Indonesian government began discussing restricting imports in response to calls for putting higher priority on domestic train cars.
If other countries begin to take similar action, Japan may lose destinations for used train cars, prompting concern among relevant officials.
More than 90%
In the Jakarta metropolitan area, train cars once used on the JR Saikyo Line and Tokyu Denentoshi Line can be seen running on rail lines. PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek, which operates rail services in the area, has imported retired train cars from East Japan Railway Co., Tokyo Metro Co., Tokyu Corp., and other companies. Of the about 860 train cars the Indonesian railway company owns, used Japanese train cars account for more than 90 percent.
Generally, the cost to purchase a new train car is said to be about ¥100 million. Compared to this, many used Japanese train cars cost only several hundred thousand yen each. Used Japanese trains are also frequently used in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and they have gained a great reputation for their low incidence of malfunctions.
JR East has exported more than 600 used train cars since the 1990s. An official of a major railway company said, if exports from other railway companies are included, “We assume as many as 2,000 used train cars have been exported from Japan.”
‘Japanese style’
Initially, the main purpose of exporting used train cars was to support emerging countries facing an urgent need to develop public transportation systems. However, in recent years, Japanese railway companies have begun putting more passion into exporting their used trains, noticing that it could become an opportunity to help “Japanese-style” rail services take root in Asian countries that are undergoing rapid economic development.
They expect these countries will become the destination for old train cars that are replaced by new models.
There are now more than 850,000 passengers using trains in the Jakarta metropolitan area every day, up from 360,000 users in 2010, with further growth expected. A state-owned train car manufacturer, which has mainly produced diesel-powered train cars so far, has decided to construct a new plant and is enhancing train car production.
Indonesia’s State Owned Enterprises Ministry, whose task is to develop domestic industries, began saying train car imports should be restricted to promote the use of domestic train cars.
However, train cars manufactured by the state-owned company are occasionally hit with problems, such as stops caused by electrical glitches.
Those involved in actual daily operations feel an urgent need to boost their nation’s transportation capabilities.
“We need more Japanese train cars, which have fewer glitches,” an official of the PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek said.
An official related to the Japanese railway industry said, “We hope the Indonesian government will listen to such opinions.”
Japanese officials in the railway industry are keenly watching for future developments of the issue.
They expect these countries will become the destination for old train cars that are replaced by new models.
There are now more than 850,000 passengers using trains in the Jakarta metropolitan area every day, up from 360,000 users in 2010, with further growth expected. A state-owned train car manufacturer, which has mainly produced diesel-powered train cars so far, has decided to construct a new plant and is enhancing train car production.
Indonesia’s State Owned Enterprises Ministry, whose task is to develop domestic industries, began saying train car imports should be restricted to promote the use of domestic train cars.
However, train cars manufactured by the state-owned company are occasionally hit with problems, such as stops caused by electrical glitches.
Those involved in actual daily operations feel an urgent need to boost their nation’s transportation capabilities.
“We need more Japanese train cars, which have fewer glitches,” an official of the PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek said.
An official related to the Japanese railway industry said, “We hope the Indonesian government will listen to such opinions.”
Japanese officials in the railway industry are keenly watching for future developments of the issue.
- June 26, 2017
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