JR东日本借车站商业经验加码亚洲：新加坡已运营、联手RATP竞逐马尼拉通勤线，尚无新订单或金额落地

TOKYO -- East Japan Railway is expanding rail-linked urban development in Asia, seeking growth with an overseas in-station retail projects.
The rail operator, known as JR East, set up a global business division in July, and is looking to leverage its expertise operating a diverse range of similar facilities in its home country.
"Overseas markets are very promising, especially those in the Asian countries we target," said Yuichi Matsumoto, senior executive officer and head of global business strategy.
JR East holds the rights to operate commercial facilities in stations along Singapore's Thomson-East Coast subway line, which has been undergoing phased extensions since 2020. It operates a shopping center inside the line's Woodlands Station.
The company leverages its expertise cultivated in Japan to run the shopping center. The wood-based interior is designed with shelves and registers at a low height to keep the entire floor visible. The space invites shoppers to circulate among the 19 businesses there, including restaurants, convenience stores and clinics chosen based on the needs of station users and residents.
JR East's strategy is to diversify revenue streams across the company's railway business and other ventures including real estate development.
Major cities in Asia especially are home to large numbers of office workers, students and other railway passengers with lifestyles similar to those in Japan.
JR East has rolled out overseas businesses in the past, including supplying rolling stock and maintaining equipment for Bangkok's Purple Line. In Indonesia, the company has completed rolling stock transfers and provided technical support.
In terms of urban development, JR East has been involved with Lumine shopping mall projects in markets including Singapore and Indonesia. In Malaysia, the railway company operates a food court with 18 shops, including Japanese cuisine. In May, it opened a shopping complex under its Atre brand in Taiwan's Taipei Station.
Yet JR East still has little experience in integrating railway operations with urban development overseas. The company is boosting project acquisition efforts, improving communication through departmental integrations.
One area of focus is the Philippine capital of Manila, where JR East is collaborating with a subsidiary of France's Paris public transportation company RATP on winning operation and maintenance contracts for a new commuter line.
JR East is also weighing developing commercial facilities nearby. "Developing railways and commercial facilities together is a strength of ours," Matsumoto said.
Shopping malls are very popular in the Philippines, but transit is centered around jeepneys or shared taxis, and urban traffic congestion is an issue. Developing a railway line would lead to more consumers visiting malls by train.
In India, JR East is considering developments along a high-speed rail line, seeing potential for residential and commercial projects.
Tokyo's Takanawa Gateway City is a model for other projects. The large, mixed-use development by JR East includes a new station, offices, shopping and condominiums at a former train depot site.
"The population is rising and economies are growing," said Matsumoto of Asia's potential. The company is looking to overseas markets for growth amid population decline in parts of Japan.