Page 137 - Introduction to Tourism

(300 miles) because of the time required for the journey

to the airport, checking in, going through security

screening, and arriving in the city center. Japan and
France have been major leaders in high - speed rail.

Japan

Japan was one of the first countries to develop modern

high - speed railways. Many would credit Japan with

being the inventor of the concept because in 1964, the
country launched the famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

with speeds of 132 mph (210 km/h).

Many countries still have no trains running at this
speed. Today, Japan has trains running at 186 mph

(300 km/h) and the most heavily traveled network.

Japan ’ s speed record is 277 mph (443 km/h). Japan

had the largest high - speed rail network in operation
until China opened 3750 miles (6000 km) in April 2007.

France and Europe

France is another leader in modern high - speed rail

travel. The country holds the speed record of 357 mph

(574.8 km/h) set April 13, 2007. France has the most
developed

high - speed network in Europe. Trains have been

running daily in the country at 186 mph speeds since
1989 and have encouraged construction of high -

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