Factory-Made Compact Membrane Panels Streamline Installation
First Modular Waiting Room Completed at JR Kyushu’s Utsumi Station
~Addressing Labor Shortages and Rising Material Costs in the Construction Industry~
2026.05.15
Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo;Osaka Headquarters: Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City; President and CEO: Yuki Nomura), a manufacturer of large-scale membrane structures (tent structures), civil engineering materials, and logistics equipment, is participating in the development of modular waiting shelters promoted by Kyushu Railway Company (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; hereinafter “JR Kyushu”).In February 2026, the first modular waiting shelter—which utilizes Taiyo Kogyo’s small-sized membrane panels to streamline on-site construction—was completed at Utsumi Station on the Nichinan Line in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Modular waiting shelter installed at Utsumi Station on the JR Kyushu Nichinan Line
(Features small membrane panels from Taiyo Kogyo)
By applying “PF LIGHTS” technology, we have succeeded in shortening on-site construction time.
To address labor shortages in the construction industry and rising costs—including those for materials and labor—JR Kyushu has developed a new modular waiting shelter designed to reduce the labor required for on-site construction.For the roof section, the company applied the “PF LIGHTS” technology from Taiyo Kogyo—a company with a proven track record in station platform roof replacements—to replace the highly specialized on-site task of “membrane installation” with a method where panels with the membrane already applied are manufactured in-house. This enables on-site installation without relying on specialized technicians.
By simply installing the panels shipped from the factory on-site, we have achieved both rapid construction and consistent quality. This construction method contributes to the realization of a sustainable construction environment with limited labor resources by shortening on-site construction time.
Furthermore, in terms of maintenance, minimizing the number of components leads to labor savings during inspections and repairs.JR Kyushu envisions a future where remote inspections can be conducted using drones.
Manufacturing of "Small Membrane Panels" at the Taiyo Kogyo Factory
"PF LIGHTS," a New Construction Method for Re-roofing Station Platform Canopies
Many station platform canopies in Japan were completed decades ago, and maintenance and re-roofing due to aging have become an urgent priority. Taiyo Kogyo has jointly developed “PF LIGHTS” (patent obtained) with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to address these needs within a short construction period.The panels installed at Utsumi Station utilize this technology. Moving forward, we will continue to propose the use of membrane structures to railway operators nationwide through “PF LIGHTS,” which allows us to flexibly meet renewal needs.
Features of PF LIGHTS
(1) Developed a membrane material specifically designed for station platform canopies
We use a non-combustible membrane material that has been certified as fire-resistant. The glass fibers are coated with fluororesin, making the material stain-resistant and ensuring high durability (over 30 years). We have selected colors that minimize reflected glare to complement the station platform canopy.
② Developed a system that can be directly integrated with existing main roof trusses
It can be used in conjunction with metal roofs, and its specifications meet the load requirements of the Building Standards Act, eliminating the need for secondary steel framing or design work. Using newly developed adjuster brackets, it can be installed directly onto existing purlins.
③ Reduced construction time to one-third of that required by existing methods
Since construction work on train platforms can only be carried out late at night when trains are not running, a construction method is needed that allows for the rapid completion of work on specific sections within a short timeframe. The new method does not require the use of heavy machinery and improves work efficiency by about 30 percent compared to conventional methods. In addition, the shorter construction period enables a cost reduction of approximately 40 percent.
The Development History of PF LIGHTS
2020: Began joint research with JR East
2021: Filed a patent application
2022: Carried out re-roofing work on the Ichigaya Station platform canopy using a new construction method in collaboration with JR East
2022: Presented a new construction method at the Annual Conference of the Architectural Institute of Japan(Hokkaido)
2023: Carried out re-roofing work on the Ueno Station platform canopy using the new construction method in collaboration with JR East
2024: Obtained a patent in collaboration with JR East (Patent No. 7602428)
2025: Began offering the new construction method as “PF LIGHTS”
2026: Supplied “roofing membrane panels” for the ultra-compact waiting area at JR Kyushu’s Utsumi Station
[For Reference: Past Press Releases Related to This Matter (on Our Website)]
[For Reference: Past Press Releases Related to This Matter (on Our Website)]
September 2022: Replacing an Aging Roof with a Membrane Material That Provides Abundant Natural Light, Is Bright, and Resists Stains
https://www.taiyokogyo.co.jp/news/10952/
About Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
Taiyo Kogyo is a leading company in the field of large-scale membrane structures, with a history spanning over 100 years. At the 1970 Japan World Exposition, the company achieved the world’s first low-rise (height-restricted) pneumatic membrane structure—one that supported the roof using only air pressure—for the U.S. Pavilion.Since then, the company has participated in large-scale projects around the world, including the installation of the membrane roof at the Tokyo Dome and the Millennium Dome in London (now known as The O2 Arena), one of the world’s largest dome structures. Furthermore, for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo, the company was involved in the construction of more than 20 pavilions and facilities, supporting the creation of the Expo site.
With membrane structure technology—which excels in cost-effectiveness, constructability, light transmission, and design—at its core, the company has expanded its operations from the construction sector into civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields, thereby supporting safety and peace of mind in society.
Together with our group companies—including TSP Taiyo Co., Ltd., which specializes in event consulting, and Actio Co., Ltd., which manages facility operations—we are committed to providing new value to society under the motto, “Making the world gentler. Making the future warmer.”