SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF RAILWAY COMPANIES IN JAPAN IN THE XX CENTURY

The first Japanese railway began to operate in 1872. main lines were built by the end of 19‑th century. They state-owned and private-owned companies. Militarization economy led fact that property most private companies was nationalized. scope activities remaining Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya limited cities suburbs. struggle survive face significant restrictions has these need increase passenger traffic. For this they residential areas universities, large stores, hotels, restaurants on company lands. Many cultural sports institutions created: theatres, picture galleries, museums, recreation amusement parks, sport facilities. As a result XX century diversified so much can hardly be called functions related transportation passengers are only visible part divers carried out not parent as their branches subsidiaries. Government railways expanded socioeconomic late 1960‑th — early 1970‑th, when legislation revised towards partial removal for side activities. But since privatization «Kokutetsu» 1986 activity gained full scope. Private privatized complement state development culture, tourism, life society. mutual interest socio-economic is revealed.