On April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:45 AM, a station employee at JR Kyoto Station reported a suspicious object on the platform to the Osaka Command Center, prompting immediate action from JR West Japan. The object was located between platforms 4 and 5, leading to the closure of the platform and adjustments to train services on the inbound line.
The suspicious object was identified as a styrofoam box measuring about 36 cm in length, 50 cm in width, and 36 cm in height, wrapped in yellow vinyl tape. As the situation unfolded, the Kyoto Prefectural Police dispatched an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to investigate the contents of the box.
At 8:30 AM, JR West announced that train services were being adjusted on several lines, including the JR Kyoto Line (Tokaido Line), JR Biwako Line (between Takatsuki and Maibara), JR Kosei Line (between Kyoto and Omi-Imazu), JR Nara Line (between Kyoto and Kizu), and JR Sagano Line (between Kyoto and Sonobe). The Tokaido Shinkansen continued to operate as usual, providing some relief amid the chaos.
By 9:00 AM, the police confirmed that the object was not a threat; it contained foreign-made confectionery, and the station's safety was assured. Consequently, the restrictions on entry to the station premises were lifted, and train operations resumed at 9:07 AM, about two hours and 20 minutes after they were initially suspended.
The incident caused significant disruption, affecting approximately 76,000 passengers. Many travelers were left stranded, with high school students on their way to a volleyball practice match expressing their concerns. One student recounted, "At around 7:00 AM, there was an announcement about a suspicious object. We were told to leave the platform. It was scary."
JR West took swift action to ensure the safety of both passengers and staff, evacuating the platform and temporarily halting all inbound train operations at the station. The quick response from the authorities highlights the importance of vigilance in public spaces, especially in light of upcoming events such as the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which is set to begin on April 13, 2025.
While the situation was resolved without incident, it serves as a reminder of the potential threats that can arise in crowded public areas. The swift and effective response from JR West and the police ensured that no one was harmed during the event, and operations were restored in a timely manner.
As the day progressed, the station returned to normalcy, though the memory of the morning's events lingered in the minds of those who experienced the disruption. The incident demonstrates the crucial balance between public safety and the need for efficient transportation services in a bustling city like Kyoto.
