Tokyo, Japan — Japan is set to revolutionize high-speed rail with the Chūō Shinkansen, a new maglev train expected to become the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h (311 mph). The train has already achieved a world record of 603 km/h (375 mph) during tests.
Connecting Major Cities
The Chūō Shinkansen aims to link Tokyo and Osaka in just 67 minutes, halving current travel times. The project includes two main phases:
Phase 1:** Tokyo to Nagoya (286 km), reducing travel time to 40 minutes.
Phase 2:** Nagoya to Osaka, completing a 438 km route.
Challenges Ahead
The project faces engineering challenges, as nearly 90% of the Tokyo-Nagoya route will be underground, including difficult tunnels through the Southern Japanese Alps. Environmental concerns have also delayed construction, pushing the expected launch of the Tokyo-Nagoya segment to around 2034 and full service to Osaka to 2037.
Global Impact
If successful, the Chūō Shinkansen will redefine rail travel in Japan and set a benchmark for high-speed rail worldwide, solidifying Japan’s role as a leader in transportation innovation.