If they don't keep freight trains in Hokkaido that would mean the end of the economy of Hokkaido. At that point even Shinkansen would be unusefull. As long as they find a way to keep JR Freight routes, JRTT control or JR Freight control are both valid solutions. Let's hope that the Government will not make the huge mistake to kill Hokkaido by closing the freight routes!

Your conclusion reminds me of that of the European law, where a track owner has to maintain and own the track and stations before a privatised or national railway operator has to pay to use it. In most cases they own the track and do the maintenance themselves, thus ofcourse working closely together with the national and private sectors. Until now this works too in the rural areas.

Great video, once again! You said that having background music was probably annoying, but personally, I miss the BGM. I really liked the track "Refreshing Wind".

good information

1:06 Shiberishi blockは後志総合振興局を指していると理解しています。長万部駅の右にある後志／渡島のローマ字がSiberishiですよ。

How much trouble does the lack of electrification between Muroran and the Seikan tunnel cause freight? It can't help freight be competitive with other transport modes if you need to change locomotion. Hokkaido is the optimal distance for freight unlike the rest of Japan.

Have you thought of automation of train operations? How come Shinkansen doesn’t cause increases in ridership on parallel local trains allowing limited express trains to be dropped

With half the population, how can anything be maintained? The whole economy of these areas will collapse, if that really happens: it's not just the passenger transportation sector, but also freight would be affected by serious labor shortages. It seems to me that the Japanese government should be trying any measures available to make sure that forecast doesn't happen. I'm talking about highly aggressive actions like huge financial incentives to families, forcing companies to give stability and large maternity licenses to mothers, and maybe some Israel-style attempt at inviting the Japanese diaspora back to Japan?

When I watched the Japanese version I was wondering how would you convert that dry and text cramped powerpoint into English version, but after all key figures and possible solutions are the most important. To account for this situation I think the JNR privatization committee at that time shall bear the most responsibility, their assumptions that the operation supporting fund could support the operation of JR Shikoku and Hokkaido was only based on upswing economy. With zero interest rates the interest generated can never cover the operation expenses of both JRs. If the track infrastructure of JR Hokkaido and Shikoku is owned by the JRTT and respecting local government, and both JR only responsible for train operation, their financial situation could have been much improved at first place. The politicians shall learn the consequence of building/maintaining railroad at my village "我田引鉄". Disclaimer: I am not a fan of only cutting JNR into 2 parts(East and West), it would only repeat the history that Headquarter don't understand the local bureau(say Tokyo vs Kansai for instance) operation mindset and they had to start the Shinkaisoku services and train service will not be as diversified/local optimized as now.

I think, government should take a control of this line and increase freight adjustment fee amount from freight trains, in order to reduce the deficit and keep positive balance. But, unfortunately, I guess in that situation, some goods will shift to ships due to high adjustment fee on rail, which will trigger more losses. So, prices on goods will increase in Hokkaido, because "everybody needs a money". Average people will suffer from this. Maybe Hakodate-Oshamambe line should be just nationalized, by keeping subsidiary from the government, without increasing of freight adjustment fee for freight trains.

i have good memories riding the Hokuto/Super Hokuto. while the Shinkansen is fast, i like riding express trains more

There's a typo in the title. "prallel"

Why not time the local trains with Shinkansen and see if Shinkansen increases passenger demand on the local train and see if ridership increases

Hi Takeshi-san. Lately I have been very interested in the Shinkansen. I have been watching video's from a creator called "World Train-Lab" He makes great video's watching Shinkansen! For a long time I was wondering if you were interested in making, or showing an explanation video about Shinkansen services in general, you explain it very well in your videos when you bring it up. I've been watching your video's. But I still don't fully understand the services, only names. What do the numbers mean? for example: "NOZOMI 75" Why is it from Nagoya - Hakata. I thought "NOZOMI" was Tokyo - Hakata only. Does this mean that not all NOZOMI start and end at Tokyo Station or is it a system? NOZOMI 6 is Tokyo - Hakata NOZOMI 75 is Nagoya - Hakata Why are they different?

Is it possible for JR Hokkaido to be "purchased" by the Hokkaido government so they can benefit from potential windfall if ever the Shinkansen becomes profitable?

I think they should only close Oshamambe-Otaru.

So, in a way, the Hokkaido Shinkansen is bankrupting JR Hokkaido.