【昭和の日本】国鉄ローカル線の赤字が問題に！開通した３日後にはガラガラ… 地元政治家や運輸省の思惑も | 1968年

■From the news article Amidst the heated debate over the closure of unprofitable local railway lines, a dead-end line connecting Maeyachi and Yanaiizu was established in Miyagi Prefecture. On its inaugural day, the celebratory train was filled to capacity with passengers including members of parliament from "our country." The area along the line welcomed the first train with a festive atmosphere, as it marked the realization of a long-held dream since the Meiji era. The mayor of Tsuyama Town, where the terminal station Yanaiizu is located, said: "The railway will make transportation for these residents possible. And, we mustn't forget that we have abundant tourist resources." However, the tourist resource the mayor boasts about is a dilapidated temple that seems to have been forgotten. No one visits it. The train, which has finally started running, only makes five round trips a day. The timing doesn't suit commuters and students. Three days after the opening, the train, which had been so lively, was now less than 10% full. Despite thorough rationalization, including the unmanned nature of all five stations along the line, the operating ratio estimated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) was 200. In other words, it cost 200 yen in expenses to generate 100 yen in revenue. The JNR Advisory Committee recommended the closure of 83 unprofitable lines. The joy was short-lived, however, as local communities formed alliances opposing the closure of unprofitable local lines and launched a lobbying campaign. Perhaps due to their efforts, extension work from the terminal station, Yanagizu, is progressing. It is said that railway construction has deep ties to the voter bases of politicians. Who built these unprofitable lines? Who will fill those deficits? Overcrowded cities, sparsely populated rural areas, or JNR? It seems the time has come to fundamentally re-examine the management practices of JNR, which is plagued by enormous deficits. ■About this channel This channel distributes footage of Japanese news programs produced between the 1950s and 1970s. Please enjoy this valuable footage documenting the landscape of Japan at that time. #News #Showa Era