JR Kyushu’s 18 lightly used sections across 12 lines recorded combined operating losses of more than 6.1 billion yen in the last fiscal year. The total widened by about 1.3 billion yen despite a fare increase in April 2025. The largest deficit, about 682 million yen, was on the Nichinan Line between Tayoshi and Aburatsu, followed by roughly 605 million yen on the Nippo Main Line between Saiki and Nobeoka. Average daily ridership per kilometer was lowest on the Aburatsu-Shibushi section at 173, followed by Ibusuki-Makurazaki at 190 and Karatsu-Imari at 213. JR Kyushu cited population decline, an aging population, inflation, and rising personnel costs as continuing pressures on low-ridership routes. Source: NHK News / Nishinippon Shimbun
Photo: Fukuoka Now
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