Tōkaidō Shinkansen Extension Opens

The June 13, 1966 opening of the Shin-Ōsaka to Okayama section extended Japan's pioneering Tōkaidō Shinkansen, allowing 0 Series bullet trains to reach speeds of 210 km/h over an additional 160 km. Overcoming mountainous terrain with extensive tunneling and viaducts, this expansion connected more of western Honshu and boosted economic integration. Key figures included JNR president Shinji Sogō, whose vision drove the project. The extension reinforced Japan's leadership in high-speed rail technology and set standards for dedicated passenger lines globally.