Japan’s railway technology – long admired for its safety, precision, and reliability – has steadily expanded its global footprint, reshaping public transport systems across Asia, Europe, and North America.
A recent example is Hitachi Rail’s new manufacturing plant, which handles Hitachi Ltd.’s railway systems business. Backed by a USD100 million investment, about 30 percent of which went to artificial intelligence and digital technologies, the facility uses AI-powered cameras to enhance worker safety and 3D printers to produce components on site.
The plant operates on renewable energy and achieves net-zero carbon emissions.
The facility can produce up to 20 railcars per month and will build subway cars for Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“America’s infrastructure has become extremely outdated. This presents a significant opportunity for us,” Hitachi Ltd. president Toshiaki Tokunaga emphasized.
From Shinkansen bullet trains to subways
Japanese railway technology has expanded globally since the early 21st century. A prime example is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), the first overseas export of Shinkansen technology. Seven Japanese companies – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Toshiba Corp., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsui & Co., Mitsubishi Corp., Marubeni Corp., and Sumitomo Corp. – established Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. to promote this landmark project. Engineers from Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central), West Japan Railway Co. (JR West), and the Japan Railway Construction Public Corp. were dispatched to the project to develop railcars based on the 700 series used on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen lines.
The north–south high-speed railway in Taiwan began operation in 2007.
“Made-in-Japan” technology also plays a key role in mass rapid transit (MRT) systems, such as subways.
In 2019, the North-South Line of Indonesia’s first MRT system opened in the Jakarta metropolitan area. Then-president Joko Widodo and several cabinet ministers attended the inauguration ceremony. The project, implemented through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), was an “All Japan” effort: Shimizu Corp. and Obayashi Corp. carried out the tunneling work, Mitsui & Co. provided the advanced operation system, and Sumitomo Corp. and Nippon Sharyo Ltd. were responsible for the railcars.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which had been involved from the planning stage, said that the quality control and production processes for concrete sleepers demanded millimeter-level precision.
At first, local workers wondered if such exacting standards were really necessary. But as they watched the Japanese engineers at work – always putting safety first and offering patient, hands-on guidance – their mindset began to change.
The Japanese engineers also carefully taught safety procedures, instructing workers in Indonesian to point and call out “right clear” and “left clear” when crossing tracks.
In 2022, Bangladesh’s first mass rapid transit system, Dhaka MRT Line 6, opened in the capital. The project was part of the Japanese government’s Infrastructure System Export Strategy and was financed through long-term, low-interest yen loans from Japan. Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing Co., a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, produced the railcars, while several other Japanese companies contributed to construction, operational know-how, and ticketing systems.
How railways transform society
Both Jakarta and Dhaka are densely populated cities grappling with severe traffic congestion and air pollution from vehicle emissions. MRT systems help alleviate these problems, reducing economic losses and improving public health.
A distinctive feature of Dhaka’s MRT is that the front car of each train is reserved for women, allowing them to travel safely.
Sexual harassment is reportedly rampant on public buses, the primary means of transportation for many ordinary citizens.
The MRT is expected to promote women’s participation in society by offering a safer alternative. The stations are also equipped with accessibility features meeting Japanese standards, including tactile paving and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Such barrier-free facilities remain rare in Bangladesh but are likely to help foster greater understanding of and inclusion for people with disabilities.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, the country’s first metro line – Metro Line 1 – opened in 2024. The project reflects Japanese expertise in both hardware and software: Hitachi Ltd. manufactured the railcars, Shimizu Corp. and Maeda Corp. handled tunnel construction, Sumitomo Corp. oversaw the construction of elevated sections aboveground, and Tokyo Metro Co. assisted with driver training and operations management. Since opening, the metro has become a popular photo spot. Couples and families dressed in traditional ao dai pose inside train cars and at ticket gates to take photos on their smartphones.
Japanese technology goes global
Hitachi Ltd. has emerged as a leading Japanese company in the European market. The company decided to expand into Britain in 1998 and, after a series of challenges and setbacks, received its first order for high-speed railcars – the Class 395 – in 2005.
It later won a large-scale project to replace aging trains on high-speed lines connecting London with other major cities.
In 2015, India decided to adopt the Shinkansen system for its first high-speed rail project. The plan initially called for the use of E5 series trains developed by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) but concerns over rising production costs and possible delivery delays temporarily stalled progress. The project was revised: when operations begin in 2027, more affordable Indian-made trains will run first and be replaced later by Japan’s next-generation E10 series Shinkansen once they are ready for delivery.
Japan’s population is declining due to a low birthrate. With little prospect for long-term growth in domestic rail ridership, railway vehicle production has been on a downward trend. Facing a shrinking home market, Japanese companies need to seek growth opportunities overseas.
Japanese railway technology and operations are known for their strict safety standards, precise scheduling, and meticulous maintenance.
Because Japan often experiences natural disasters, such as earthquakes and heavy rainfall, its railways have also developed advanced seismic engineering and automatic emergency stop systems.
Looking ahead, Japanese railway technology is well-positioned to continue contributing globally and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships. (PNA)