Use of public transport and social capital building: An empirical study of Japan

Abstract

Traditional discussions of public transport management in Japan have been primarily based on profit concerns. However, in recent years, the discourse has shifted to incorporate social capital considerations, with greater attention given to the relationship between public transport and social capital. The idea is that by increasing mobility, public transport can facilitate social activities and foster networks and trust among people. This makes it a valuable tool for building social capital, particularly in depopulated areas that are at risk of losing their local networks. This study aims to investigate whether there is a positive correlation between the use of public transport and social capital at the regional level in Japan, using a quantitative method. We examine municipal-level data from all municipalities in Japan and we find a strong and positive correlation between the use of public transport and social capital. These results have significant implications for policymakers seeking to manage Japan's public transport system, especially in rural areas. Our findings suggest that policymakers should shift the focus from purely economic benefits to also prioritize social benefits.