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• Impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) on knowledge economy were analyzed in Japan. • The study used difference-in-differences specification with multiple timeframes. • HSR development had a significant positive effect on regional innovation. • Propensity score matching and instrumental variable analysis results are robust. • The innovation effect of HSR is larger in small town/villages than in large cities. This study investigates the impact of high-speed rail (HSR) on regional innovation through an empirical analysis that uses municipal-level panel data covering all 1,741 municipalities in Japan, and spanning the period from 1976 to 2016. The study assumes that the number of patent applications serves as a proxy for regional innovation and follows a negative binomial distribution. A difference-in-differences specification with multiple timeframes is employed for the empirical analysis. The results reveal that HSR development has had a significant positive effect on regional innovation, supporting the companion innovation hypothesis. Robustness checks, such as through combining propensity score matching and the instrumental variable methods with difference-in-differences analysis, are also conducted. The results suggest that the effect of HSR on regional innovation in small towns and villages is larger than that in large cities. This implies that inter-regional communication opportunities for employees could play a key role in fostering innovation in small rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact on local communities of the shinkansen high-speed railway in Japan. Established in 1964 as a route between Tokyo and Osaka, the shinkansen has evolved over a 40-year period into a nationwide network of rapid rail service. Moreover, it has become a symbol of development in Japan, a reflection of changes in transportation, and an augury of change. The author examines both favorable and adverse changes that have accompanied the shinkansen, with a special emphasis on its operations in Hokuriku and Kyūshū.

The superconducting maglev has been developed as an ultra-high speed mass transport system. It makes use of modern superconducting magnets (SCMs), which enable a large gap electro-dynamic, suspension and an efficient linear motor propulsion. Running tests have been conducted smoothly on the 18.4-km-long Yamanashi Maglev Test Line since 1997 and reaped the harvests such as the maximum speed of 581 km/h, relative speed of 1026 km/h on two trains' passing test and on-board high temperature SCM running tests. In March 2005 the Committee under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport appreciated that "all the technologies of the Superconducting Maglev necessary for the future revenue service were established." Based on this situation, JR Central has decided to expand the existing test line as well as renew the existing facilities and equipment into those of the future revenue service level. Furthermore, the company has decided to promote the Tokaido Shinkansen Bypass project utilizing the superconducting maglev system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the JR Central Pavilion: Invitation to the Ultimate Surface Transit System at the EXPO 2005 Aichi Japan. Historical background of the superconducting magnetically levitated (Maglev) motor car technology that will be introduced in the pavilion; Use of the intellectual entertainment approach in introducing the superconducting Maglev technology; Topics to be discussed in the Superconducting technology Lab of the pavilion regarding the superconducting Maglev technology.