A fire near a central Tokyo station has thrown parts of Japan's bullet train system into chaos, as tens of thousands of passengers tried to return home from New Year holidays.
The early morning fire on Friday sent plumes of black smoke over Yurakucho station, gateway to the nearby Ginza shopping area.
No casualties were reported but the blaze at commercial buildings, next to railway tracks near the station, forced the suspension of all bullet trains departing from the capital to the western commercial hubs of Nagoya and Osaka, a key section of the nationwide network, according to Central Japan Railway Company.
Bullet trains departing Osaka to Tokyo were also brought to a halt because the capital could not handle incoming services.
The fire hit as families began to return from holidays spent with family outside Tokyo and businesses and government services prepared to resume normal services from Monday after the New Year holiday.
The blaze was reported at around 6.30am and possibly started in a games arcade, according to Tokyo Fire Department, with more than 40 fire engines rushing to the scene.
It also stopped commuter lines in Tokyo.
Bullet train services to areas north of Tokyo were not affected.
Bullet trains had resumed by midday but the rail system remained congested.
