The Japanese bullet train has not caused an accident for 60 years

The Shinkansen bullet train began running between Tokyo and Osaka on October 1, 1964, ushering in a new era for rail transportation as Japan developed into an economic superpower after World War II. This service today remains an indispensable part of the economy and daily life in the country, so keeping trains shiny, punctual and accident-free is serious business.

Every day, nearly 250,000 passengers travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, which stretches from Tokyo over Mount Fuji to Hakata prefecture, about 5 hours away. The train arrives at the station according to the schedule every 5 minutes. Operator JR Central said the Shinkansen bullet train has never caused a fatal accident or injury, even as Japan regularly experiences earthquakes, rainstorms and heavy snowfall. “Safety is our top priority. Therefore, we train our employees very carefully,” said Daisuke Kumajima, public relations officer of JR Central. For the first time this month, on another line operated by JR East, two interconnected bullet trains separated, leading to an emergency stop but no one was injured.

With a route spanning across the country, the Shinkansen train’s maximum speed of 320 km/h is no longer among the fastest in the world after being surpassed by China. But the elongated nose design and spacious interior of the original high-speed train still symbolize Japan’s technological achievements and attention to detail. A meticulous maintenance schedule means the ships are always sparkling inside and out, with cleaning staff adjusting headrests and using brushes to ensure seats are free of any debris. On the bullet train network, the average delay is less than 5 minutes.

The growth of cities along the Shinkansen’s route over the past several decades demonstrates its impact on the Japanese economy, according to Christopher Hood, a researcher at England’s Cardiff University. The bullet train model also played an important role in promoting depopulation in rural areas in Japan. People like to live in big cities, then take the Shinkansen to visit relatives in smaller cities if needed.

At a JR Central facility, engineers tap on machinery inside the bullet train, listening closely for any unusual sounds that might reveal a loose part. Amid a labor shortage due to an aging population, the company is also working on a new digital inspection system that can analyze images of ships and detect danger.

Meanwhile, JR East company said that driverless bullet trains could be introduced in the mid-2030s. They are conducting a large project to build high-speed maglev trains in Japan. The maglev train, which can run at speeds of 500 km/h, was originally scheduled to operate between Tokyo and Nagoya in central Japan in 2027 but JR Central pushed it back to 2034. The goal is to create a system combined with Shinkansen trains, to meet demand and maintain stable operation in case of maintenance or major earthquakes.