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Yeah it's really interesting. Something like a substantial portion of profits come predominantly from the bullet trains and non-transportation businesses (like

Yeah it's really interesting. Something like a substantial portion of profits come predominantly from the bullet trains and non-transportation businesses (like JR West Hotels). But not all regions are as lucky, so government assistance has still been called on. Specifically about the bullet trains, they are absurdly efficient in speed, they had to outpace air travel. Absurd speeds incredibly early on, and to this day only really China has surpassed them in terms of nation coverage and speed - a dominance Japan held onto for a good 50 years. Fascinating to learn about, but not so great to apply blindly to other places.

astrange 4y ago
The Shinkansen is actually more expensive than domestic flights though. I don't think the people asking for HSR in America realize this; it's more convenient, more comfortable, faster up to some distance (because you don't have to go to the airport), and usually full, but it's basically business class travel.
- amrocha 4y ago
  The shinkansen is not equivalent to business class travel. Flights between Tokyo and Osaka cost roughly half of a shinkansen ticket, but that doesn't include transport to and from the airport. It also takes way more time to fly, including transit time to and from the airports. The average person is willing to spend an extra 10000 yen to save 2-3 hours and the hassle of a flight. Funnily enough, the business travelers I know in Japan actually take the plane, because it's cheaper for the company and they can keep the miles.