In 2023, the volume of national rail freight transport in Japan stood at 17.77 billion tonne kilometers. Forecasts indicate a consistent decline from 17.57 billion in 2024 to 16.75 billion in 2028. Over this five-year period, the average compound annual growth rate is negative. Year-on-year changes show slight reductions, emphasizing a downward trend in rail freight volume.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of technological advancements in logistics, potential increase in efficiency, and shifts in economic and environmental policies that may alter demand for rail freight transport. Monitoring these factors can provide insights into reversing the current decline.