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There are a few things I would like to point out about this article: • He goes on about linear trains being confused with maglev trains. Huh? In the exact Wiki

There are a few things I would like to point out about this article: • He goes on about linear trains being confused with maglev trains. Huh? In the exact Wikipedia article he links to, it has a section on maglevs that use linear motors (including JR's SCMaglev), and he describes a linear train (the Linimo = Linear motor) as a maglev later on. • Before JNR (the old state-owned rail company) was split into separate companies, it was hemorrhaging money from the cost of running marginal routes. Japan is a developed country, why does it need more infrastructure? • I'm not sure about the Hokuriku or Hokkaido shinkansens, but calling the Chuo Shinkansen is a public work is wrong. JR Central are financing it entirely on their own. They seem to think it's a viable investment, so good on them. US $72 billion overall isn't that bad. That's only ten billion more than it cost to develop the JSF, or 72 Instagrams, and this is actually expected to make a profit at some point (sooner if you believe it brings an economic benefit to the cities it is connecting). I can't really trust this article at all. Reader beware?

jpatokal 11y ago
Author here. 1) I think you just proved my point. The new Sendai subway uses a linear motor, but is not maglev, while the Linimo and Chuo are maglevs and thus use linear induction motors more or less by definition. However, these are both generally just dubbed リニア in the Japanese press. 2) The privatized JRs still hemorrhage money due to marginal routes, most are loss-making and only JR Central makes sizeable profits. Until the Iwaizumi Line was shut down last year, JR East had not shut down a single line since privatization in 1987, despite >50 of its 60-odd lines losing money. 3) JR Central is notionally privatized, but it's still de facto an arm of the government. The new line is being built with the central government's explicit approval and implicit financial backing.
- rangibaby 11y ago
  Hi! 1) I see. Why didn't you just say that more clearly in your article then? The Japanese press runs some zingers sometimes (all the boasting about The Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower* comes to mind). 2) That's why I think not building any more lines could be a good idea. I guess we agree on that. 3) I would like to read more about that (seriously). Could you please give some sources? Japanese language is fine.

jpatokal 11y ago

Author here. 1) I think you just proved my point. The new Sendai subway uses a linear motor, but is not maglev, while the Linimo and Chuo are maglevs and thus use linear induction motors more or less by definition. However, these are both generally just dubbed リニア in the Japanese press. 2) The privatized JRs still hemorrhage money due to marginal routes, most are loss-making and only JR Central makes sizeable profits. Until the Iwaizumi Line was shut down last year, JR East had not shut down a single line since privatization in 1987, despite >50 of its 60-odd lines losing money. 3) JR Central is notionally privatized, but it's still de facto an arm of the government. The new line is being built with the central government's explicit approval and implicit financial backing.

rangibaby 11y ago
Hi! 1) I see. Why didn't you just say that more clearly in your article then? The Japanese press runs some zingers sometimes (all the boasting about The Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower* comes to mind). 2) That's why I think not building any more lines could be a good idea. I guess we agree on that. 3) I would like to read more about that (seriously). Could you please give some sources? Japanese language is fine.