why is the Shinkansen, this ideal high-speed train, not exported?

The world’s first bullet train debuted in Japan just 60 years ago. This is the famous Shinkansen, which today continues to improve and seduce the world, without however being exported.

You would really have to be in very bad faith to say bad things about the Japanese Shinkansen, the very first high-speed train in the world, which appeared at the time of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Sixty years later, it continues to dominate and expand. , to improve and seduce the world.

Shinkansens are 400 meter long trains, with 1,300 seats each, which depart every 3, 5, 7 or 10 minutes from Tokyo to other cities in Japan. They also connect certain regional cities, like a real high-speed metro. There are around 175 per day in each direction between Tokyo and Osaka, the two megacities 500 km apart, which were connected by the first Shinkansen in 1964 at 210 km/h.

But since then, it has gone twice as far, it has gone faster and, above all, many other lines have appeared. Known for his phenomenal punctuality,The Shinkansen is also clean, never tagged, comfortable, safe and quiet. Accidents are extremely rare, the train knows how to stop on its own in the event of an earthquake and in general, apart from natural disasters, incidents are quickly resolved.

LTheir aerodynamic aesthetic also makes them successful, with their image of a futuristic train equipped with a very long nose. All Shinkansen are loved by children and adults, with some ultra-popular models. For example, we find one called Hayabusa, with its characteristic duck nose and a very shimmering green color. There is also the red Komachi, or a Shinkansen which runs empty to analyze the tracks: the “Doctor Yellow”, an old yellow train which will soon be retired.

The most notable developments are more or less visible or not to passengers. Of course it goes faster. On average, it currently reaches speeds of 270 km/h to 300 km/h. But above all there is now no shaking. The cars are super comfortable, you have room to put a large suitcase in front of your feet, there is internet and power outlets on board, sometimes even a special teleworking car. There are also state-of-the-art toilets, make-up rooms and a baby changing area. For drivers and safety too, digitalization has brought many changes.

All the service around is also appreciable. Tickets are now available in electronic version, and it only takes one minute to book with a smartphone. That said, for decades now, obtaining a ticket at a ticket counter or machine has been almost as quick. The departure and arrival routes are decided once and for all, this never changes.

The fact remains that a trip by Shinkansen is more expensive than by TGV, but the price is justified in view of the service.

Expensive to build, produce, maintain and operate, Shinkansen models therefore have more difficulty exporting.