The Queen and Trains in Japan

The demise of the Queen Elizabeth II was a shock in Japan as well, as TVs and newspapers organised special report about her devotion to duties that lasted for more than 70 years. Since the Imperial Family has had a special relationship with the Royal Family since 1869 (with an interruption caused by the Second World War), not a few Japanese people know her and interested in the Royal Family.

Her Majesty has been to Japan in 1975 with Duke of Edinburgh, and she was the very first British monarch to visit the country. During her six-day visit, she got on some trains including Shinkansen high-speed train.

On 10th May, when the Queen was supposed to go from Tokyo to Osaka, then-Transport Minister deeply apologised that she could not use a bullet train due to industrial action, and she had to be on an aeroplane instead. The Queen reportedly said with a smile that she was used to strikes so that there was no need to worry.

Two days later, she could get on a bullet train from Nagoya to Tokyo. The Queen expected that the journey would be as punctual as a clock. With profound regret, the train left Nagoya station with a two-minute delay due to heavy rain, but a well-experienced driver successfully made it. The train arrived at Tokyo station on time. JR Central later quoted her phrase in its advertisement in 1994, "as punctual as a a clock".

She enjoyed the journey on Shinkansen, the then fastest train in the world. NHK uploaded a video taken at that time. A year later, British Rail launched High Speed Train, whose maximum speed was almost equivalent to the Shinkansen.

近鉄特急に乗車したエリザベス女王　運転士への心こもった贈り物とは https://t.co/5KXvgpjmQo

英国のエリザベス女王は、1975年に初めて来日した際、近鉄特急を利用しました。当時の記録によると、運転士らへのこまやかな心遣いがうかがえます。 運転士への贈り物とは何だったのでしょうか。 pic.twitter.com/wviueOB3gt

— 朝日新聞デジタル (@asahicom) September 9, 2022

On 11th and 12th May, she also used Kintetsu to visit Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest and the most important religious site in Japan. The train was Kintetsu 12200 series New Snack Car, which was the newest rolling stock at that time. The Queen gave drivers a "decent present" with words of gratitude.

The 12200 series was operational until 2021. The carriage which the Queen and Prince Philip boarded still remains on the mainline, and it was converted to a sightseeing train Aoniyoshi and re-entered service in 2022. Though the company has not used her name for advertisement, a few local newspapers reported about it earlier this year.

The Queen visited Japan only once, but as a Japanese citizen, I hope that she and her husband enjoyed our country. There are mixed views about the Royal Family, but whatsoever the opinion is, her devotion to duties for over 70 years, which no one could discharge instead of her, should not be underestimated.

Rest in peace, your Majesty.