Japanology Plus - Season 5 - Eps 9: Regional Transport Crisis
For decades, rail was the dominant form of transport for both people and freight in Japan. But while trains and subways still enjoy healthy ridership in Japan's urban centers, regional rail is another story. Competing forms of transportation like cars, buses, and airplanes, plus Japan's shrinking population—and concentration of the population in major cities—means regional rail lines are facing a crisis. We dive into the details of that crisis, and what rail companies are doing to combat it, on this edition of Japanology Plus.
About Japanology Plus

Title: Japanology Plus
First Air Date: 2014-04-03
Last Air Date: 2025-03-13
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 6.4/10 (from 5 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 13
Total Episodes: 330
Network: NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Genres: Documentary, Talk
Production Companies: NHK, NHK Educational
Synopsis
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.
Cast

Peter Barakan
Self - Host