Preserving local railways can foster sustainability in Japan

Local railways in Japan face viability challenges due to demographic decline and car usage, but they remain critical for community connectivity and climate goals. Rail transport emits significantly less CO2 (20g per person-kilometre) than private cars (128g). Case studies, such as the Isumi Railway in Chiba Prefecture, show that shifting focus toward tourism and sightseeing trains can reduce deficits and revitalize local economies through collaboration between operators, governments, and residents.

• Local railways in Japan are critical for community connectivity and sustainability, particularly for students and the elderly. However, they face threats from an ageing population, declining birthrates, and increased private car use. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) prioritizes discussions on the viability of lines with fewer than 1,000 daily users per kilometre, with 90 sections currently meeting this threshold.
• Rail transport has a much lower carbon footprint than other modes of transport. CO2 emissions for rail are 20g per person-kilometre, compared to 128g for private cars, 101g for air travel, and 71g for buses. Given that transportation represents 18.5% of Japan's total carbon emissions, closing rail lines may increase car dependency and emissions.
• The Isumi Railway in northeastern Chiba Prefecture serves as a model for revitalization. After ridership fell from 1.12 million in 1988 to 450,000 by 2005, the line was maintained through over JPY 100 million in government support and a strategic shift toward tourism, including restaurant trains and mass media promotion, which reduced its financial deficit.
• Sightseeing trains are being used nationwide to boost local communities. In 2019, 133 such trains operated in Japan. A new service, the "Hanaakari" train starting 5 October, connects Tsuruga in Fukui prefecture to Kinosaki Onsen in Toyooka, featuring local craftsmanship and ingredients to attract visitors and promote sustainable travel.

APA

Ota, N. T. M. (2024). Preserving local railways can foster sustainability in Japan. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/sustainable-development/preserving-local-railways-sustainability-japan-case-studies/

Chicago

Ota, Naoko Tochibayashi, Mizuho. Preserving local railways can foster sustainability in Japan. World Economic Forum, 2024. https://www.weforum.org/stories/sustainable-development/preserving-local-railways-sustainability-japan-case-studies/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ota |first1=Naoko Tochibayashi, Mizuho |title=Preserving local railways can foster sustainability in Japan |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=27 September 2024 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/sustainable-development/preserving-local-railways-sustainability-japan-case-studies/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ota2024preserving, author = {Ota, Naoko Tochibayashi, Mizuho}, title = {{Preserving local railways can foster sustainability in Japan}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/sustainable-development/preserving-local-railways-sustainability-japan-case-studies/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }