In this Dec. 29, 2020 file photo, fewer people than in ordinary years are seen on a shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Tokyo Station, amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Reservations for bullet and express train services during the year-end and New Year holiday soared 81 percent from a year earlier, Japan's major rail operators said Tuesday, signaling easing public concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

       A total of 2.32 million seats have been reserved for the period between Dec. 28 and Jan. 5, according to the operators.

       It still represents a 40 percent decline from the pre-pandemic level of 2019-2020, but also adds to evidence that economic and social activity is recovering after a state of emergency in Tokyo and other big cities was lifted in September.

       The travel peaks are expected to come on Dec. 30 and Jan. 3. The operators have made 8.09 million seats available to be reserved, down 2 percent from the 2019-2020 season.

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