East Japan Railway will raise train fares across its network starting Saturday, marking the company’s first across-the-board fare revision since its privatization in 1987.

The company said fares would rise by an average of about 7.1%, with the minimum base fare increasing from ¥150 (95 cents) to ¥160.

Some short-distance trips in the Tokyo metropolitan area will see larger increases as discounted fare categories that had applied to designated sections of track, such as that used by the Yamanote Line, will be folded into the standard distance-based “main line” fare system. For example, a ticket between Tokyo Station and Shibuya Station will rise from ¥210 to ¥260, a 23.8% increase.

The fare increase, approved by the government in August 2025, will apply to tickets and commuter passes purchased on or after Saturday.

Tickets and commuter passes purchased by Friday will still be sold at current prices, even if the travel date or start of validity falls after the fare revision. JR East has warned that ticket counters and machines may become crowded ahead of the change as commuters rush to buy passes before the higher fares take effect.

Off-peak commuter passes, which are about 15% cheaper than standard commuter passes, will continue to be offered, and their coverage area in the Tokyo metropolitan region will be expanded starting Saturday to include stations such as Kuki and Hiratsuka.

The company said the fare revision is needed to address rising costs and recent changes in travel patterns.

Rail usage has declined due to demographic trends such as Japan’s shrinking and aging population, while the spread of teleworking and online meetings following the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced commuting demand. At the same time, expenses for labor, energy and maintenance of the rails have continued to rise.

JR East also faces increasing costs related to aging railway infrastructure and safety investments. The company said maintenance and repair costs have risen steadily as tracks, signals and other rail facilities age, requiring significant spending to ensure safe operations.

The railway operator expects the fare hike to increase annual revenue by about ¥88 billion ($556 million). The additional funds will be used for safety and infrastructure upgrades, including installing more platform screen doors at stations and introducing equipment to prevent accidents at railway crossings.

Other system changes will accompany the fare revision. JR East will discontinue sales of round-trip and consecutive paper tickets as the use of IC cards and online ticket reservations grows.

The Seibu Railway and the Tsukuba Express are also increasing rail fares on the same day, as cost pressures continue to affect the country’s rail industry.