[Bonemaker]

“No, JR’s HSR does not make money. The numbers are skewed by excluding the costs of infrastructure.”

And corruption costs. Japanese wouldn’t tolerate it.

[Brian Griffin]

There is corruption in Japan, probably around the level of the US.

[Brian Griffin]

corruption info:

https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020

There actually is corruption in Japan and examples are given:
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-there-no-corruption-in-Japan