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July 24, 2026
 

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BULLET TRAINS

A construction site for the Hokkaido Shinkansen as Mount Yotei looms in the background in Kutchan, Hokkaido, in February
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 22, 2026
Fraudulent quality tests discovered for Hokkaido Shinkansen extension work
Consortium workers manipulated a measuring instrument during tests to gauge the amount of water in the concrete used for a tunnel so the results fell within the standard value.
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki (right) and JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa pose for photos Saturday after signing an environmental preservation agreement, paving the way for the construction of a section of the magnetic levitation train line in the prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 19, 2026
Shizuoka and JR Central sign pact to start maglev construction
The completion of the Shizuoka section of the line is expected to take over 10 years.
An under-construction section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project in Ahmedabad, India.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 18, 2026
Ex-Japan minister faults India for Modi bullet train delay
¡°They just don¡¯t keep promises, no matter what. Even if they make a promise, they flip it right away,¡± said Hideki Makihara.
In Denshattack!, your one-car train becomes a kickflipping, wall-riding vehicle up and down a postapocalyptic Japan.
LIFE / Digital
Jul 16, 2026
¡®Tony Hawk with Japanese trains¡¯: Denshattack! makes derailing a blast
Launching July 15, the new game mashes up Japanese trains with stylish tricks and fast-paced gameplay for a delightfully addictive time.
The 139-kilometer extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line is expected to take around 26 years to complete.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jul 15, 2026
LDP and JIP decide on Kyoto route for Hokuriku Shinkansen line extension
The 139-kilometer extension, which will run through eastern Kyoto Prefecture and will have its own stop near Kyoto Station, is expected to take around 26 years to complete.
Japan's closely watched maglev train project still faces major challenges, including soaring construction costs, despite clearing a key hurdle with a prefectural governor's long-awaited approval.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 8, 2026
Despite the green light, challenges lie ahead for Japan¡¯s maglev project
Central Japan Railway now expects the train line¡¯s opening to be in 2036, at the earliest, even if construction kicks off by the end of this year.
Environmental concerns relating to the construction of Central Japan Railway¡¯s high-speed maglev line had contributed to years of delays for the project.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 7, 2026
Long-stalled maglev line finally gets green light from Shizuoka Prefecture
Environmental concerns had led to years of delays, but now that understanding has ¡°steadily deepened,¡± it is now possible to move forward, Shizuoka¡¯s governor said.
A maglev train exhibited in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, in 2020
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Shizuoka governor to approve maglev line construction
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki plans to announce the approval at a prefectural assembly meeting on July 7.
A West Japan Railway Company bullet train approaches Shin-Osaka station in Osaka last December.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 20, 2026
New cost estimates revealed for Hokuriku Shinkansen line extension
Construction costs for the eight routes being considered now range from ?1.7 trillion to ?7.9 trillion, the transport ministry said.
A rendering of a Supreme Class premium private compartment to be offered on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen train cars from October
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 18, 2026
Private compartments coming in October to Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains
The compartments in the Supreme Class will feature reclining seats and lockable doors, and tickets for them can only be purchased online.
A shinkansen commemorating the 25th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo DisneySea, operated by JR East, in Sendai
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 15, 2026
JR Central to run Disney shinkansen starting Friday
The Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen train will make up to two round trips a day mainly for Hikari and Kodama services between Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station until mid-March 2027.
A train crosses Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia. Many people don't believe the bullet train vision, which has a history of false starts, will materialize.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 12, 2026
The $66 billion train seen fixing Australia¡¯s housing crisis
Australia¡¯s latest plan to introduce super-fast trains finally has political and financial backing on an unprecedented scale.
The Hokkaido Shinkansen Line went into service on March 26, 2016.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 19, 2026
Japan antitrust watchdog raids firms in Hokkaido Shinkansen bid-rigging probe
The probes targeted nine construction companies and a government-linked railway infrastructure agency.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen line is due to be extended from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Shin-Osaka Station, but the chosen route remains up for debate.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 7, 2026
LDP and JIP look to accelerate talks on Hokuriku Shinkansen extension route
The ruling coalition hopes to finalize the bullet train line¡¯s route by the end of the parliamentary session and start construction in fiscal 2027.
Sapporo Station, which is set to be the terminus of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line extension.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 24, 2026
Panel questions profitability of Hokkaido Shinkansen project
Rising prices, which are one of the reasons for the increase in the project¡¯s cost, may also push profitability upward through an increase in fare and real estate income.
Local governments along proposed shinkansen routes in Japan are stepping up efforts to advance long-planned lines that have seen no construction progress for over half a century, but major hurdles remain, including funding, demand and profitability concerns.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Apr 24, 2026
Local governments press for shinkansen railway lines
Authorities are stepping up efforts to advance plans for lines that have remained in the planning stage for more than half a century, with no progress toward construction..
The logo of the shinkansen inspection vehicle Dr. S, which is equipped for measurement and diagnostic functions
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 17, 2026
JR Central names new shinkansen inspection trains Dr. S
The Dr. S trains will inspect tracks, overhead wires and other equipment while transporting passengers.
The maglev line project has long been stalled by environmental concerns.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 28, 2026
Shizuoka set to approve maglev construction
Shizuoka Prefecture¡¯s special committee has approved environmental conservation measures for a section of the planned maglev line.
East Japan Railway's freight-only Shinkansen bullet train arrives at a train yard in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 24, 2026
JR East¡¯s freight-only shinkansen train goes into service
The seven-car train, converted from an E3 series passenger train has a maximum loading capacity of 17.4 tons.
People gather in front of Meitetsu Department Store in Nagoya on Feb. 28 as the store closed after a 71-year run.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Mar 20, 2026
Nagoya Station maglev redevelopment delayed again
The start of construction, previously scheduled for fiscal 2027, is now ¡°undecided.¡±
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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