The Train Pioneer Born in Rural Japan

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]Today, we are celebrating the birthday of passenger.

[00:00:04]He revolutionized transportation, but his own journey was anything but smooth.

[00:00:10]You're talking about JR East president Hideo Shima, born on May 20, 1905.

[00:00:17]Growing up in rural Japan, Hideo was surrounded by trains from a young age.

[00:00:23]His fascination with railroads led him to join the Japanese Government Railways in 1925.

[00:00:30]The bullet train was his brainchild, debuting on October 1, 1964 at 210 km/h.

[00:00:39]It was an instant success with over 100 million passengers in its first year.

[00:00:45]The Shinkansen's efficiency transformed Japan's economy and inspired high-speed rail globally.

[00:00:53]Hideo Shima's legacy extends beyond trains. His design philosophy influences everything from cars to medical devices.