Japan’s bullet trains have long been the global benchmark for high-speed rail, known for their remarkable speed, near-perfect punctuality, and an unparalleled safety record of zero fatal crashes in more
than six decades. Now, Japan is pushing transportation even further into the future with its next-generation Maglev train, and the result is leaving people speechless.
In a now-viral video, a Japanese reporter witnessed the Maglev in action for the first time. As the train glided past at an astonishing 310 mph (nearly 500 km/h), it didn’t thunder or rattle like a conventional locomotive. Instead, it hovered, whisper-quiet, floating on a cushion of magnetic force.
How Did The Reporter React?
Despite expecting extreme speed, the reporter was completely unprepared for the surreal sight of the train accelerating like a jet while remaining perfectly stable. It passed so quickly that it was almost impossible to see, triggering a stunned silence followed by uncontrollable laughter. The moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, with viewers around the world agreeing with the reporter’s disbelief.
The clip features reporters reacting in awe to the superconducting magnetic train developed by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) in collaboration with the Railway Technical Research Institute.
View this post on Instagram
How Are Instagram Users Responding?
The “blink-and-you-miss-it” speed left social media users equally amazed. Instagram viewers flooded the comments with humour and disbelief. Many expressed that they had the same reaction, while others compared that the train must be faster than the speed of light.
“If you blink, you might miss it,” read a comment.
Another quipped, “I think the train was racing the car under the bridge. That was going just as fast.”
“It’s like my salary when it arrives in my account and then it’s all gone,” said a user.
An individual stated, “That’s faster than the speed of light. I doubt that.”
“Literally my same reaction,” commented another user.
Delay In Launch
As per Blue News, the Maglev train is being tested as part of the ambitious Chūō Shinkansen project, which aims to connect Tokyo and Osaka. Once completed, the line is expected to feature the fastest passenger train in the world, with a top speed of 500 km/h.
However, the project has faced significant delays. Originally scheduled to open in 2027, the launch has now been postponed until 2034 due to construction challenges. Costs have also surged, with estimates reaching around 40 billion Swiss francs.
