Tokaido Shinkansen Construction Begins

On August 29, 1962, construction started on the Tokaido Shinkansen, the world's first dedicated high-speed railway, spanning 515 km between Tokyo and Osaka. Spearheaded by engineer Hideo Shima and Japan National Railways, it addressed post-war congestion using advanced aerodynamic trains like the 0 Series at speeds up to 210 km/h. Engineering feats included elevated viaducts and earthquake-resistant design amid Japan's seismic risks. This innovation revolutionized rail travel, reducing Tokyo-Osaka travel to four hours and inspiring global high-speed networks. Its impact transformed Japan's economy and mobility, symbolizing technological rebirth after WWII.