No visitors, less commuting -- Japan's railways enter dark tunnel

Bullet train operators JR East and JR West face biggest losses since privatization

20200916N Tokyo Station

Bullet train ridership has plunged due to the pandemic and shows no signs of returning to normal anytime soon. (Photo by Kai Fujii)

KENTARO TSUTSUMI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Two of Japan's largest rail operators now expect to report their largest full-year net losses since their 1987 privatization, as the coronavirus pandemic brings a deep and potentially long-lasting slump in passenger traffic.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.