Tōkaidō Shinkansen Extension Begins Service

On May 24, 1965, additional services and infrastructure improvements were inaugurated on Japan's Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the world's first dedicated high-speed railway. The 0 Series Shinkansen 'bullet trains' operated at speeds up to 210 km/h, connecting Tokyo and Osaka with unprecedented reliability. This expansion supported Japan's post-war economic miracle, reduced highway congestion, and set global standards for high-speed rail engineering, safety systems, and passenger comfort that continue to inspire networks in Europe and Asia today.