On October 2 (Thu), 2025, Konan Railway announced that they would suspend operation of the entire Owani Line from April 1, 2028, due to a worsening business environment and declining ridership.
Passengers less than one-tenth of their peak levels
Hirosaki Electric Railway opened the entire line between Owani Station and Chuo Hirosaki Station in 1952, and following a transfer of management rights, the line became part of the Konan Railway in 1970. Owani Line ridership has continued to decline year by year since peaking at approximately 3.9 million in fiscal 1974, and fell to less than one-tenth of that figure, at approximately 270,000, in fiscal 2023. Passenger numbers on the company’s Konan Line remain at about one-quarter of their peak levels, making the Owani Line’s decline even more pronounced.
Reasons for this include environmental changes common to local lines across the country, such as regional depopulation, declining birthrates, and increasing motorization, as well as the Owani Line’s unique unfavorable conditions, such as its parallel running parallel to JR East’s Ou Main Line and school closures and reductions in student enrollment along the line. To maintain the Owani Line, Hirosaki City and Owani Town, which are located along the line, have provided approximately 400 million yen in support since fiscal 2021 for expenses not included in national and Aomori prefecture subsidies to ensure safe transportation, promote use, and cover deficits. In recent years, Konan Railway has made efforts to promote use, such as by selling a special ticket called “Wani Sapo,” which offers a 100 yen return fare when visiting participating facilities along the line by train, and by introducing a cycle train that allows passengers to bring their bicycles on board.
Long-term service closures due to derailments and track problems
However, a series of safety-related issues, including a derailment between Owani Station and Shukugawara Station on the Owani Line in August 2023 and rail anomalies discovered in various locations in September of the same year, forced a prolonged suspension of service for approximately three months. The company has made painful cost-cutting efforts, such as abolishing shareholder discount passes and reducing executive compensation, but has determined that continuing operation of the Owani Line is difficult given the future business environment. The intention to suspend service was first announced at a November 2024 council meeting to discuss support for the company, and mayors of cities and towns along the line reportedly generally expressed understanding.
The Owani Line will effectively be closed, ending its 78-year history with its final service on March 31, 2028. Aomori prefecture held a meeting with local governments, bus companies, and taxi associations along the line to begin considering alternative public transportation options. Konan Railway will cooperate as much as possible in preparing alternative transportation, strive to operate safely until service is suspended, and continue its efforts to promote use.
