‘TOKYO BULLET TRAIN FOR AMERICAN GAIJINS’
When U.S. President Barack Obama took office, one thing he pitched was a “Green New Deal” that would reduce fossil fuel use, and high-speed passenger trains like those in Japan and Europe were part of his sweeping plan. If there is one thing virtually all Americans whose only form of transport at home has been automobiles appreciate when they come to Japan, it’s the bullet trains — a marvel worthy of emulation in the United States.
The U.S. East and West Coasts, the Midwest and Florida have all expressed interest in introducing, or in the case of the East, upgrading, high-speed passenger rail service.
Last month, U.S. and Japanese officials discussed introducing bullet trains in America, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood hopes to visit Japan in a couple of months to take a ride on a shinkansen.
