The shinkansen is an engineering wonder, an enduring symbol of Japan's postwar economic miracle and the country's technological prowess.
It’s still gee-wiz when so much is so ho-hum.
The world just doesn't seem to want to buy it. Only one shinkansen system has ever been sold overseas, to Taiwan, even though bullet trains have become popular must-haves for nations trying to demonstrate their own advancement, or simply trying to move people faster.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.