Many countries have followed Japan’s lead in developing high-speed rail systems, with the TGV train seen at a SNCF station near Paris as a prime example. The Shinkansen, or bullet train, first launched its service on the Tōkaidō line 60 years ago, and over the past four decades, numerous nations, including Taiwan, have mirrored Japan’s model to establish their own high-speed rail networks. Among these, the French TGV stands out, having begun operations in 1981 and connecting Paris with Lyon. In Taiwan, the high-speed rail officially commenced in 2007.
The UK’s high-speed train project, however, has faced considerable controversy. According to a recent CNN report, the TGV network in France has significantly reduced travel times between major cities, creating additional capacity and making high-speed travel more accessible and affordable, becoming a common commuting option for many.
Similar to Japan, France has successfully exported its high-speed rail technology to other countries, including Spain, which boasts the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, as well as Belgium, the UK, South Korea, and Morocco, home to Africa’s first high-speed rail line.
In the UK, the Eurostar service connects London to cities like Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, but the High Speed 2 project, aimed at enhancing transportation across the UK, has become contentious, with only about 230 kilometers of the planned route currently in operation.
For UK travelers, the closest option to a bullet train is the new Intercity Express Trains, built by Hitachi and based on Japanese technology, though these trains reach a top speed of around 200 kilometers per hour.
Countries like Taiwan, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have already established dedicated rail routes connecting major cities, while India and Thailand are also in the early stages of planning their own high-speed rail networks.
In recent years, China has emerged as a standout in this area, leveraging its economic power to build the world’s longest high-speed rail network. According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the operational length of China’s high-speed rail reached 45,000 kilometers by the end of last year. Beyond serving as a transport method, these high-speed rail lines have also stimulated economic development.
China has adopted technology from Japan and Western Europe to advance its increasingly complex railway industry, positioning itself as a global leader in high-speed rail. The country is currently developing maglev trains capable of speeds up to 600 kilometers per hour.
Since the debut of Japan’s first Shinkansen, high-speed trains both domestically and internationally have become an indispensable part of transport infrastructure. While the original “0 Series” Shinkansen trains from 1964 have long been retired, they continue to shape contemporary perceptions of bullet trains.
Given the current concerns about climate change, high-speed rail, as a relatively eco-friendly transport option, is likely to continue expanding worldwide, ushering in a new golden age for rail travel.
