クラファンの寄付金約400万円 支払いが5回延期に･･･北越急行「法的措置も検討」【新潟】スーパーJにいがた7月1日OA

Hokuetsu Express, the operator of the Hokuhoku Line, has been unable to pay approximately 4 million yen in donations raised through crowdfunding. Hokuetsu Express is considering legal action. ■Hokuetsu Express President Akira Saruyama: "This is a way of disregarding and trampling on the important feelings of our supporters, and we feel extremely indignant and unable to forgive it." Hokuetsu Express operates the Hokuhoku Line, connecting Muikamachi Station in Minamiuonuma City and Saigata Station in Joetsu City. From November 2025 to February 2026, they conducted a crowdfunding campaign to wrap trains with the railway girl character "Matsushiro Usagi," and had raised approximately 4.15 million yen five days before the deadline. However... ■Hokuetsu Express President Akira Saruyama "The operating website itself malfunctioned five days before the crowdfunding deadline, preventing the operating company from transferring the funds." Just before the deadline, the operating website became inaccessible due to a system malfunction. They quickly switched to a method of directly raising funds themselves. Hokuetsu Express completed the wrapped train using approximately 1.45 million yen in donations raised directly and their own funds, and began operation on May 2nd. However, they have still not received the approximately 4.15 million yen raised through crowdfunding. ■Hokuetsu Express President Akira Saruyama "You have contributed a valuable portion of your assets for our train wrapping. We feel extremely sorry and apologetic to everyone who supported us." Initially, the donations were scheduled to be transferred by the operating company at the end of March, but due to financial difficulties, the payment has been postponed five times so far. Recently... ■Hokuetsu Express President Akira Saruyama "Around the beginning of June, we received a message saying, 'We will pay by June 30th,' but the payment has not yet been transferred." Hokuetsu Express is considering legal action against the operating company. ■Hokuetsu Express President Akira Saruyama "If the money is not actually transferred after our communication, we intend to proceed calmly. We are considering taking some kind of action, so we will proceed accordingly." Information as of July 1, 2026. #HokuetsuExpress #Crowdfunding #Nonpayment #LegalAction #Niigata #UXNiigataTV21