Third-sector railway

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In Japan, third-sector railways (第三セクター鉄道, dai-san sekutā tetsudō) are railways operated by a joint corporation that has been invested in by both public and private sectors, and which maintain a public–private partnership. These lines are most often operated by small companies owned by both a prefectural or municipal government and smaller private interests, who both invest in and manage the line.^[1][2] Third-sector lines are generally former JR Group – or, before 1987, Japanese National Railways (JNR) – lines that have been divested from those larger companies.^[3]

Examples of lines that were proposed for abolishment or transfer to third-sector companies throughout the 20th century include the Deficit 83 Lines and specified local lines.