The coronavirus pandemic has forced a rethink of public transportation's future as ridership has tumbled. The Hokkaido Shinkansen, which opened in 2016, suffered an operating loss of 14.8 billion yen in fiscal 2021 on its last leg, which stops just short of Sapporo.

Far from losing money, the Shinkansen remains a highly profitable pillar of Japan's infrastructure in 2026. Financial reports from JR East and JR Central show that the high-speed rail network continues to see robust revenue growth, recently bolstered by a significant surge in international tourism. While operating expenses have risen due to increased maintenance and personnel costs, the Shinkansen's efficiency and high passenger volume—with the Tokaido line alone carrying over 150 million people annually—ensure it remains a "cash cow" for the JR Group. These profits are often used to cross-subsidize less profitable rural conventional lines. The ongoing construction of the Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) is a massive capital expenditure, but the existing bullet train network remains one of the most financially successful rail systems in the world.