High-Speed Train Technology: A New Frontier in U.S.-Japan Relations?
Past Event
High-Speed Train Technology: A New Frontier in U.S.-Japan Relations?
The United States lags behind many other countries in harnessing the potential of high-speed rail to improve connectivity among metropolitan areas, diminish the economic and social costs of traffic congestion, and renovate an aging transportation infrastructure. Japan, on the other hand, has been a global leader in high-speed rail since the introduction of the first “bullet trains” half a century ago, and now, through magnetic levitation (maglev) technology, has developed one of the fastest trains in the world.
Recent proposals to construct a maglev train network in the Northeast Corridor have been met with mixed reactions. The maglev line could cut the travel time between metro areas, boost economic growth, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it faces implementation challenges of land acquisition for new track and the necessity of billions of dollars in repair work to the existing road and rail infrastructure.
On May 14, the Brookings Institution hosted a forum to address both the challenges and opportunities for maglev in the U.S. today, as well as transportation technology as a new area for U.S.-Japan collaboration. This forum is co-sponsored by the Brookings Center for East Asia Policy Studies and the Metropolitan Policy Program.
Join the conversation on Twitter at #maglev and learn more about Infrastructure Week at the website.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Mireya Solís
Director - Center for East Asia Policy Studies
Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies
Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies
Opening Remarks
Kenichiro Sasae
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States
Framing Remarks
Governor Edward G. Rendell
State of Pennsylvania
Panel Discussion
Connie Crawford
Senior Vice President and Global Practice Leader, Rail and Transit - The Louis Berger Group
Sandy Apgar
Former Assistant Secretary for Installations - U.S. Army
Takayuki Sato
Senior Representative, Representative Office in Washington, DC - Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Chuck Bean
Executive Director - Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Closing Remarks
Kanji Yamanouchi
Minister of Economic Affairs - Embassy of Japan in the United States of America
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