There was at least one shinkansen accidental fatality
Guy got caught by his necktie and dragged far enough to kill him. Happened some years ago, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but I think he stepped off the train to use his mobile phone at a station, and then got caught in the door as he tried to get back on board.
There is also this story from about two years ago, though I don't even remember it.
http://www.cnc-communications.com/first-fatal-shinkansen-accident/