On 05.02.2026 at 16:00 our colleague Takumi Shibata will give us an insight into public transport in Japan. Takumi comes from the University of Tokyo and is currently part of our team as a guest researcher.

The lecture will be held in English and will take place in seminar room 2215 (Mönchebergstr. 7).

All interested parties are welcome - registration is not necessary.

Summary:

This presentation examines the current state of Japan's short-distance public transport (ÖPNV), the mechanisms used to secure transport services, and the relevant systems and their historical development. In many regions and market segments in Japan, transport operators, particularly railway companies, remain profitable and have expanded into business areas beyond rail transport. As a result, entire regions have been comprehensively organized around transportation networks, enabling the efficient provision of a wide range of services.

However, significant challenges arise in areas where transport operations are no longer economically viable. What distinguishes Japan's public transport system from those in Germany or elsewhere in Europe? In his presentation, Takumi Shibata highlights both the strengths and the shortcomings of Japan's ÖPNV, with a particular focus on aspects that are rarely addressed in German- or English-language literature.