A JR East spokesman said non-reserved coaches on the Superexpress Asama 1, which left Tokyo at 7:30 a.m., were filled to 120% of what the railway deems as capacity.

The Asama 501 train recorded that occupancy was at 100% capacity, while the Asama 551 train registered 110%.

Most passengers were skiers or families who traveled to Nagano to watch the Olympic games. (Kyodo News)