Technology
138 Japan’s Shinkansen Railway
Ashley Crouse
Introduction
The Shinkansen, often called the “bullet train,” is Japan’s high-speed rail (HSR) system and has had many benefits for Japan since it was built in 1964. It currently connects many of the major cities in Japan. The Shinkansen was also the world’s first high-speed train, leading to the use of HSR in other countries, such as France, Germany, and Spain. The first line of the Shinkansen network was built to connect Tokyo with Osaka. Newer lines connect Kobe, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagano. The primary purpose of the Shinkansen is to connect Japan’s larger cities and shorten the time it takes to travel between them. For example, in 1889, it took over 16 hours to travel between Tokyo and Osaka by train. When the Shinkansen opened, it cut the time down to three hours and ten minutes (Jones, 2024). Overall, the Shinkansen had many benefits for Japan, such as shorter travel time, increased tourism, and improved safety.
Connection to STS
With being the first high-speed rail line, the Shinkansen is a perfect example of technological advancement and changing society. The creation of the Shinkansen paved the way for more HSR lines in other countries as well as even further advancements to train travel in general. The safety features of the trains are also a huge technological advancement. Additionally, the Shinkansen has helped society by making the longer commutes more feasible and accessible. The faster trains have not only improved overall traffic efficiency but have also encouraged economic growth and suburban development since people can travel to more urban areas quicker.
History of the Shinkansen
Japan’s economy and infrastructure were in shambles following the Second World War. Officials thought that one way to help improve the economy was to invest in Japan’s transportation system. However, rail travel was reaching its capacity. At the time, many people thought the improvements in road and air travel would become more popular than trains. Japanese National Railways (JNR), Japan’s national railway company, argued that a high-speed rail system spanning the country would not only help with transportation problems but also help the economy (Nickelsburg, 2018). Another problem was that the 1964 Olympic Games were set to be held in Tokyo, Japan. Many people were expected to travel to Tokyo and surrounding cities, and traffic congestion was expected to get worse. What is the solution to these problems? Japan created the world’s first bullet train: The Shinkansen.
In 1959, Japan invested 1.3 billion US dollars into the construction of the first Shinkansen line, running 515 kilometers between Tokyo and Osaka, two of Japan’s biggest cities, which was one of the most congested rail lines at the time. The creation of this line reduced the travel time between the cities by over 50% (Harnish, 2024). In what was originally almost a seven-hour train ride, was now only three hours (Bohn, 2022). The lin