The International Union of Railways (UIC) has appointed Mr Yuji Fukasawa, Chair (Director) of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), as Chair of UIC for the 2026-2027 term. The decision was endorsed during the 107th UIC General Assembly held this Thursday in Warsaw.
Mr Fukasawa will officially take office on 1 January 2026, succeeding Dr Alain Beroud, who led the organisation during the 2024-2025 term.
A seasoned industry leader with more than 45 years of experience
Born and educated in Japan, Yuji Fukasawa graduated with a degree in law from the University of Tokyo before joining the Japanese National Railways (JNR), the predecessor of JR East, in 1978. Over more than four decades, he has built a distinguished career characterised by strategic leadership, operational excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.
He became President and CEO of JR East in 2018, guiding the company through major organisational and societal challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024, he assumed the role of Chair (Director), continuing to oversee JR East’s transformation and international outreach.
Among the landmark achievements under his leadership is the TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY project, one of Japan’s most ambitious urban developments. Designed around a newly built station on a redeveloped rail depot site, TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY embodies a vision for next-generation urban living, innovation, environmental sustainability and new business models.
A commitment to safety, innovation and decarbonisation
Throughout his career, Mr Fukasawa has promoted a strong culture of safety, ensuring that lessons are drawn from past incidents to strengthen operational resilience and prevent future accidents. He has consistently supported the enhancement of railway skills through comprehensive training programmes in in the fields of operations, maintenance and customer service.
A vocal advocate for decarbonisation, he has championed JR East’s investments in clean energy, including pioneering applications of hydrogen technologies, and efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions across rail operations. His expertise and leadership have also contributed significantly to major international projects, such as the India High-Speed Railway Project.
Beyond rail, Mr Fukasawa has long cultivated global interests. He is a certified expert in both wine and Japanese sake and since April 2025 has served as the President of the Japan Tennis Association, promoting the power of sport to revitalise communities.
A long-standing and deeply engaged UIC member
JR East has been actively involved in UIC for many years, having previously held the positions of UIC Vice-Chair (1998-2004), UIC Chair (2009-2012) and Chair of the UIC Asia-Pacific Region (2013-2016).
Since 2023, Mr Fukasawa has served as a member of the UIC Executive Board and the Asia-Pacific Management Committee, where he has emphasised the importance of standardisation, interoperability and knowledge sharing. His engagement includes leading regional initiatives such as Safety Training Sessions and promoting collaboration across UIC’s global membership.
These experiences have given him a deep appreciation of UIC’s global mission and its potential to shape the future of the railway sector.
A clear vision aligned with UIC’s future priorities*
In accepting his appointment, Mr Fukasawa expressed his gratitude to UIC members and his alignment with the organisation’s strategic direction. His election comes at a key moment, as UIC prepares to implement its 2026-2028 Work Programme, structured around six strategic pillars.
He affirmed his full commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, stability in governance and the rapid deployment of the Work Programme. Among his first priorities, he highlighted the importance of engaging with the Management Board and supporting UIC’s flagship initiatives, particularly those linked to the Standardisation Strategy 2030.
“The standardisation strategy is ambitious and essential to UIC’s future. Its success relies on the active participation of members across all regions. Building a stronger and more effective UIC is our shared responsibility.”
Mr Fukasawa also emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation across UIC’s Regional Assemblies. He expressed his intention to attend regional meetings to listen to member priorities and support the development of initiatives adapted to regional contexts yet aligned with UIC’s global vision.
A leader ready to connect continents, shape standards and advance railway innovation With a career that spans leadership, innovation, international cooperation and a strong commitment to sustainability, Mr Fukasawa brings to UIC a clear and ambitious vision for the future of rail transport, fully aligned with UIC’s mission of connecting continents, shaping standards and advancing railway innovation.