"It netted them ZERO economic growth over a quarter century, and ZERO improvement in their standard of living" That's just total nonsense. Regardless of the pe

"It netted them ZERO economic growth over a quarter century, and ZERO improvement in their standard of living" That's just total nonsense. Regardless of the performance of the broader economy (which depends on other factors) during the last few decades, it's obvious to anyone who looks that Japan's investment in the Shinkansen has played a huge positive role in the dramatic growth of their post-war economy. You can certainly argue that the situation has changed, but arguing that high-speed rail never benefitted them is the economic equivalent of arguing that it snowed last week, therefore global warming is a hoax.