This year saw author, social critic and Tokyo Vice Gov. Naoki Inose call for uniting Tokyo's two subway systems, Tokyo Metro and the city-run Toei subway. The two sides have entered talks but are still far from agreement.
Why does Tokyo have two parallel subway systems in the first place? The present Tokyo Metro dates back to 1941, when prewar subway lines — presumably safe from bombing raids — were consolidated in the name of wartime security. The Toei system, on the other hand, started in 1960 to meet infrastructure needs during Japan's period of high economic growth.
Due to its late start, the Toei system has less profitable lines that were also more expensive to build. Although it has been in the black on a yearly basis since 2006, its long-term debts exceed a trillion yen. Toei remains the "little brother," with four lines and 2.3 million passengers a day versus Tokyo Metro's nine lines and 6.3 million passengers.