JR Kyushu takes off

We are now likely to see them competing much more aggressively with Nishitetsu in the Fukuoka suburban area and also against JR West's Kyushu section of the Sanyo Shinkansen (Hakata - Kokura) on the classic Hakodate Main Line now that they are a truly for profit business. Some of the lines in the South of Kyushu (like the line damaged by the Aso Earthquake) I would say are candidates for closure or transferred to a 3rd sector operator.

Some of those stations and trains need some upgrades. I used a seishun 18 kippu and visted all the Kyushu prefectures by futsu densha, it was still a lot of fun. The worst sections of Japan rail that needs upgrading is (far) western Honshu. Jeeze. Some of those stations and platforms must be 50 years old more since they were even touched. But that is the fun of the seishun 18 kippu.

Some of those stations and trains need some upgrades. I used a seishun 18 kippu and visted all the Kyushu prefectures by futsu densha, it was still a lot of fun. The worst sections of Japan rail that needs upgrading is (far) western Honshu. Jeeze. Some of those stations and platforms must be 50 years old more since they were even touched. But that is the fun of the seishun 18 kippu.

100% agreed! Without a doubt. JR Tosu station is definitely one that comes to mind.