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Japan's Bullet Train

02/10/2014 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Japan's Bullet Train

In October 1964, Japan launched the fastest train the world had ever seen

In October 1964, Japan launched the fastest train the world had ever seen.

On 1 October 1964, the fastest train the world had ever seen was launched in Japan. The first Shinkansen, or bullet train, ran between Tokyo and Osaka, and had a top speed of 210km per hour. Witness speaks to Isao Makibayashi, one of the train's first drivers.

(Photo: Shinkansen, or bullet train. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images)

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