Hyperdrive
Japan Struggles to Save Beloved Bullet Trains From Running Out of Passengers
- East JR forecasting biggest loss since privatization in 1987
- Go To campaign to spur regional travel has had limited success
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These days, the section of Tokyo Station serving regional destinations is a shadow of its former self. Gone are the usual crowds and on a mid-week afternoon in late September, just a handful of commuters browsed bento-box stores.
“I see more cleaning staff getting off trains than passengers,” said Taro Aoki, who oversees 18 fast-food outlets in the capital’s main inter-city rail terminal. “People used to swiftly pick which bento to buy and wait in line, but now, there’s hardly anyone around.”