Nagoya Railroad, known as Meitetsu, plans to close the section of the Hiromi Line between Shin-Kani Station and Mitake Station [1].
The decision highlights the growing struggle of regional rail operators in Japan to maintain aging infrastructure amidst a shrinking rural population. As ridership drops, the financial burden of maintaining these lines often becomes unsustainable for private operators.
Meitetsu said the closure policy on May 29 [4]. The affected segment spans approximately 7.4 kilometers within Gifu Prefecture [1]. According to company data, the line has seen its annual ridership fall to approximately 800,000 people [3].
Financial pressures played a primary role in the decision. Meitetsu said it reported a fiscal burden of approximately 3.4 billion yen annually [2]. This deficit is compounded by the rising costs of materials and labor caused by inflation, as well as the need for expensive repairs to aging facilities [2].
The company has already concluded discussions regarding the closure with three local municipalities: Kani City, Mitake Town, and Yaotsu Town [5]. These talks were intended to coordinate the transition to alternative transportation methods for residents who rely on the rail link for daily commuting.
While the company has not specified a final date for the cessation of service, the move follows a broader trend of rail contraction in rural Japan. The Hiromi Line's decline mirrors challenges faced by other regional networks where the cost of modernization outweighs the projected revenue from a dwindling passenger base.
“The affected segment spans approximately 7.4 kilometers within Gifu Prefecture.”
This closure underscores the systemic crisis facing Japan's regional transit. As rural depopulation accelerates, the 'last mile' of rail infrastructure becomes a liability. The transition from rail to bus or private vehicle networks in Gifu reflects a national shift toward more flexible, lower-cost transit models to replace fixed-rail systems that are no longer economically viable.
