Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 55 minutes ago
If you ask any expert why Japanese trains (JR) are the best in the world, they will tell you it's because of Vertical Integration. The company that runs the train also owns the tracks. They operate as a single organism. But if you tried to build that company in Europe today, you would be sued. The European Union has spent 20 years enforcing "Unbundling"—a legal framework that forces countries to separate the "Track Owner" from the "Train Operator."
Footage: Shutterstock
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.
If you ask any expert why Japanese trains (JR) are the best in the world, they will tell you it's because of Vertical Integration. The company that runs the train also owns the tracks. They operate as a single organism. But if you tried to build that company in Europe today, you would be sued. The European Union has spent 20 years enforcing "Unbundling"—a legal framework that forces countries to separate the "Track Owner" from the "Train Operator."
Footage: Shutterstock
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.
