The future of roadside stations
The roadside station was first conceived nearly 40 years ago.
Naturally, as a young person, I had a strong interest not only in the development of Ginza, but also in the revitalization of rural towns in depopulated areas.
As a hospital manager, I was often invited to study groups and symposiums at roadside stations.
The roadside station later became a health station and a river station, and I was involved in its creation.
It was thanks to that research trip that I learned that there were too many differences in the medical system between urban and rural areas.
Nowadays, roadside stations are known for selling local agricultural products and as tourist hubs.
There are also popular roadside stations that are very successful as businesses.
But many are not.
Originally, it was not viable as a private drive-in, restaurant, or souvenir shop, so the government built it using tax money.
Since it is in the red, I think it would be difficult to say whether it would become profitable if it were managed privately.
However, the roadside station is in a good location with access to the road.
If that’s the case, why not bring in administrative facilities such as government offices, health centers, hospitals, and nursery schools?
This is a centralization of public services in the village.
To that extent, the population decline is progressing.
Also, since elderly people rely on cars to get around, we want to ensure that even snowy roads are managed and monitored.
From decentralization to concentration.
I think towns and villages with a population of less than 5,000 people have no choice but to centralize all at once.
Unless there is a merger with the neighboring town.
For some reason, the government offices, schools, and hospitals are all located far from the station due to the appropriate layout of the area.
In any town, there are restaurants, karaoke, and pachinko parlors around the town hall.
This is because people who use cash gather at public offices.
Unless roadside stations are integrated into complexes and integrated with the government, it may not be realistic to make a profit by selling tourist goods on your own, no matter how much you rely on the private sector.
I think it would be a good idea to use this as an opportunity to rationalize and centralize government.
You might get scolded for saying this from an outsider’s private perspective.
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CEO Yasunari Koyama