Railway jobs, such as drivers and station staff, once dominated by men, are now increasingly being played by women. This time, we take a close look at women working at JR East. Our cameras also delve into the “work style reform” at the railway site. Hoshi Maya, who has been with JR East for 22 years, has been a train driver for 18 years.
22nd-year employee Hoshi Maya: “When I first came to this workplace, we were training the first female train drivers. I admired the female seniors and thought, ‘I want to be like that, too,’ so I decided to become a train driver.” On-time performance depends on the driver’s skill.
22nd-year employee Hoshi Maya: “When you’ve been driving for a long time, you can tell when the train is taking a little longer or when it’s a little congested by looking at the travel time between stations. You adjust your speed accordingly. If the train is delayed, you think about whether you can make up the time and increase your speed accordingly.” Stopping at stations is also a test of skill.
Hoshi Maya, 22nd year with the company: “When I brake exactly as I envisioned and the train stops exactly where it should, it’s a world of self-satisfaction, but it’s also rewarding and fun.” Of course, consideration for passengers and safety are my top priorities.
Hoshi Maya, 22nd year with the company: “I try to drive with as little shaking as possible. Since everyone experiences shaking, I slow down the speed in the parts where there is shaking and increase the speed in other places to make up for it.” JR East Niigata Branch first hired a female driver in 2005.
Hoshi Maya, 22nd year with the company: “I’m the third generation of female drivers, and I grew up in an environment where there were only three female seniors.” Currently, approximately 8% of drivers at the Niigata Branch are women (as of 2025). Hoshi is one of the pioneers. She doesn’t just drive local trains. Her final shift of the day was the “Inaho Limited Express” departing Niigata at 5:58 PM.
Hoshi Maya, 22nd year with the company: “Express trains have different speeds, and on the Hakushin and Uetsu lines (where the Inaho Express runs), the maximum speed changes four times. I’m constantly thinking about it.” Arriving at Shibata – After this, I drive to the final stop, Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture, where I stay the night. I drive the next morning’s train back to Niigata. Hoshi is the mother of two elementary school-aged children. When her children were younger, she would sometimes worry about things like, ‘Why aren’t you at home at night?’ or ‘Why aren’t you at your friends’ houses, when their mothers are at home at night?'” She values time with her family.
Hoshi Maya, 22nd year with the company: “Since I work overnight shifts, on the days when I can come home early the next morning even if I’m away all night, I tell them, ‘Don’t go to the kids’ club, just come straight home,’ so that I can spend more time with my family.” She also tries to support younger female drivers.
Kiyota Ayaka, 15 years with the company and mother of two: “I took a four-year break, so I completely forgot about driving. As a senior mother, I had many experiences balancing work and childcare, so I was able to hear a lot of stories.”
Hoshi, 22 years with the company: “Even during my maternity leave, I visited them and shared my experiences, hoping they would find them helpful.” Sharing my experiences is my future mission.
Hoshi, 22 years with the company: “I was raised by many people. I’ve learned so much from them, so I want to give back and be a bridge to the younger generation.” Starting in 2022, JR East is introducing a “new way of working” in which employees will handle multiple tasks. Drivers and conductors will also be responsible for planning events and working at stations, allowing for a cross-disciplinary work system.
JR East Niigata Branch Office Planning and General Affairs Manager Jun Nakata: “By performing multiple tasks, we can provide guidance to customers at the station and as a conductor, as well as driving the train. Having someone with knowledge of each task guiding customers around the station makes for a service that is easier for customers to understand.” Tsuchida Shiori (30), who has been with the company for eight years. Her main job is as a conductor.
Tsuchida Shiori, who has been with the company for eight years: “The first place we communicate our customers’ thoughts is at the station ticket gate.” The first person she was in charge of that day was not as a conductor, but working at the ticket gates at Nagaoka Station. Passenger: “I came from Tokamachi, but I got on at Mitsuke before that.”
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “I can confirm that the fare has been paid, so I’ll cancel it.”
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “When I’m standing at the station ticket gate, there are passengers just about to embark on their journeys, and as a conductor, I work while watching over the passengers on the train. I feel like I’m connecting people by being involved with trains myself.” At 4:00 PM, I’ll be on duty as a conductor on the Shinetsu Main Line.
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “When the train pulls into the platform, I call out ‘conditions caution,’ and check for safety to make sure there are no passengers on the platform who are in danger. I enter the platform while paying close attention to the conditions, and open and close the doors.” There’s something I keep in mind when making announcements on board.
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “There may be disruptions to the schedule. I always think about whether announcing this to passengers in advance will reassure them, and I try to explain things in a timely manner.” Tsuchida, a native of Niigata City, What inspired me to pursue this career was a message of encouragement I heard from a conductor on the train on my way to university entrance exams.
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “The conductor at the time sent me a passionate message: ‘Do your best so you don’t have any regrets.’ I remember riding the Echigo Line with a high school classmate at the time, and we both got off the train crying.” At 12:03 AM, we arrived at Nagaoka Station – checking the interior of the train. After roll call, my shift was over.
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “Thank you for your hard work.” On another day, Tsuchida arrived at work dressed casually, different from her uniform. This place…
Tsuchida Shiori, 8th year with the company: “I have to create a final report on the events and initiatives we’ve been working on at the Nagaoka General Center, and I’m working on that right now.” On this day, instead of working as a conductor or station attendant, she was in charge of planning in the office. Tsuchida is part of a team that plans events with local governments and other organizations.
Tsuchida Shiori, in her 8th year with the company: “It’s fun to be able to try something different from what I’ve been doing up until now. When you’re actually working as a train driver or at a station ticket gate, you get to hear the voices of customers up close. I think that’s really useful in planning work.” There are also online conferences with business partners. The senior colleague who works with her is…
Tsuchida’s senior colleague, Adachi Satomi: “You have to interact with a variety of people, including local governments and people from other companies. She speaks frankly, and a lot of the work is done because of her personality.” JR East plans to have all employees take on both the field and the planning department from July 2027 onwards.
Tsuchida Shiori, in her 8th year with the company: “I love Niigata, so from the customer’s perspective, I want to be able to work in a place that is both on-site and in the planning department.The stations, drivers, and conductors are probably the most memorable parts. As a company with a diverse range of business fields, I hope we can take advantage of this to contribute to the development of Niigata.”
