The government, looking to take advantage of the global concern over climate change, is getting on board with the private sector in promoting the sale of "super express" bullet trains in the United States and Brazil.
In the short term, the government is expected to devote itself to public relations activities on behalf of Japanese businesses with the Americas as its target.
The Foreign Ministry believes government promotion of energy-efficient high-speed railway systems will become a drawing card in its diplomatic efforts to brand Japan as an environmentally friendly nation.