大井川鉄道値上げに地元反発　「再生請負人」社長ブログが物議　3500円均一価格めぐり【知ってもっと】【グッド！モーニング】(2026年5月11日)

The president of the Oigawa Railway, a local railway line in Shizuoka Prefecture, expressed his anger on his blog in response to local opposition to a fare increase plan. Although the post was later deleted, this president was a well-known figure as a "revitalizer of local railways" that had faced the threat of closure. ■Regarding the 3500 yen flat rate "Even if the Ikawa Line is abolished, it won't have a major impact on society, and if they oppose it and shut it down, that's their own responsibility, so I don't feel responsible. That's what I think, anyway." (Posted April 28th, now deleted) This was posted on his blog, and after receiving backlash, the president of the Oigawa Railway, a local line in Shizuoka Prefecture, apologized last week. The Oigawa Railway connects Shimada City and Shizuoka City in central Shizuoka Prefecture. The Ikawa Line, which runs from Senzu Station to Ikawa Station, is the only line in Japan that uses the "Abt system," which uses gears to climb steep gradients. The railway line is popular not only with railway enthusiasts but also with tourists, thanks to its secluded stations that appear to float on a lake and its breathtaking scenery. While it was once used as a local transportation link, there have been no regular pass users in the past 15 years. Therefore, a revitalization plan as a tourist train has been launched. Starting next month on the 1st, a new fare system will be introduced, combining tourist information and other services. Regardless of the section traveled, the fare will be 3,500 yen per adult, with children paying half price. Since the current fare ranges from 160 yen to 1,340 yen, this represents a 2.6-fold increase, and in some cases more than 20-fold, depending on the section traveled. However, there have been concerns and criticisms from locals, with some saying the change is "too sudden." ■Local Railway Revitalization Specialist President Torizuka is known as a "local railway revitalization specialist." He increased the visibility of the Isumi Railway in Chiba Prefecture, which was on the verge of closure, through various innovative ideas. Furthermore, during his time as president of Echigo Tokimeki Railway in Niigata Prefecture, he launched a series of innovative projects, such as chartering trains for wedding ceremonies. He assumed the presidency of Oigawa Railway in June 2024. Perhaps his comments were influenced by his previous experience. "I've come to realize once again, 'It's difficult to get people who live in rural mountain areas to understand,' and I've come to understand that this was indeed the case here as well." (Posted April 28th, now deleted) Oigawa Railway plans to introduce one round-trip train per day that can be used with a regular ticket, taking into consideration people who use the hot springs along the line. In addition, they plan to issue a "resident pass" valid for two years, allowing travel on all trains, for 1000 yen to local residents who request it. Innkeeper in Kawanehoncho, local resident: "(The blog) could be interpreted as a threat depending on how it was written. That's what made things worse, and I wish they would think more carefully about how they interact with the local community." After the briefing, President Torizuka said the following on the 8th: "I apologized to the local residents. My wife also got angry at me, telling me, 'Don't write things like that.' I think they understood that." (From the broadcast on May 11, 2026) [TV Asahi NEWS] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp