Tokaido Shinkansen Test Runs Begin

On July 13, 1964, the first test runs of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed trains occurred between Tokyo and Osaka. Designed by Hideo Shima and built by Japanese National Railways, the 0 Series trains reached speeds of 210 km/h on dedicated standard-gauge tracks, revolutionizing intercity travel. The line opened to the public two months later for the Tokyo Olympics, demonstrating Japan's post-war technological resurgence. It set global benchmarks for high-speed rail safety, punctuality, and engineering, inspiring networks in Europe and later China.