[innocenat]

Wow. Just wow.

JNR ("JP Rail") is in debt because underperforming local lines and inability to increase fare. During privatisation, the Shinkansen is only leased to the newly formed companies as it's making money hand over fist. JR East/Central/West have since bought the line, though.

And flying is cheaper precisely because people like Shinkansen more, though it's not always cheaper.