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【独自】30年で鉄道1366キロ廃止　全国の5％相当、縮小加速|47NEWS（よんななニュース）

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This page reports that 68 railway sections totaling 1,366 kilometers were closed nationwide between fiscal 1996 and 2025—representing approximately 5% of Japan's approximately 27,000 kilometers of railway network. Hokkaido accounts for one-third (497 km) of closures. Contributing factors include increased car usage and declining ridership due to aging populations. The pace of closures is accelerating: 387 km during 1996-2005, 445 km during 2006-2015, and 534 km during 2016-2025. Conversely, 1,913 kilometers of new railway opened, with Shinkansen accounting for 1,156 kilometers, resulting in a net 546-kilometer increase. This highlights challenges in maintaining regional transportation networks amid population decline.