Abstract
The Tsugaru Line, a regional railway operated by JR East Japan, spans the Tsugaru Peninsula within Aomori Prefecture. In August 2022, an intense rainfall event resulted in significant damage to the northern section of the Tsugaru Line, leading to its temporary suspension. Along this rail-way line, Sotogahama Town and Imabetsu Town are contending with declining populations and an aging demographic, with limited prospects for substantial future demand. Coincidentally, in July 2022, JR East Japan initiated an experiment aimed at developing a new transportation system by integrating the Tsugaru Line with on-demand shared taxi services. JR East Japan collaborated with Sotogahama Town, Imabetsu Town, and Aomori Prefecture to establish a research consortium and introduced a novel proposal. This proposal entailed discontinuing the railway segment affected by the suspension, with the intention of creating a transportation system that combines buses and taxis. Nonetheless, local stakeholders express a preference for the continued operation of the railway, and as of September 2023, a definitive resolution has not been reached. The crux of the issue lies not solely in the preservation of the railway but in the assurance of"regional sustaina-bility." Furthermore, there is potential for refinement in the methods employed for agenda setting and communication among the involved parties.
https://ror.org/040qhpb54 
