Nope. China (365&#x2F;sq mile) has less than 1&#x2F;2 the population density of Japan (836&#x2F;sq mile) and they instituted population control recently.  Slowly shrinking populations are generally good for the average person and with most of there debt being internal Japan does not need to grow total GDP.<p>As to rail lines losing money, how much do you think the average road make per year exactly.