New Japan-Made Shinkansen Arrives in Taiwan

Aug 17, 2026 | News On Japan

TAIPEI - A new Japanese-made high-speed train developed for Taiwan arrived in the southern city of Kaohsiung on August 15, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in July 2027.

The new train, designated the N700ST, was unloaded slowly from a cargo vessel, displaying its distinctive orange and black stripes before an arrival ceremony was held.

The N700ST is based on the N700S used on Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen and was specially developed for Taiwan High Speed Rail.

The trains were ordered from a consortium including Hitachi and Toshiba.

With a maximum operating speed of 300 kilometers per hour, the N700ST incorporates technology designed to reduce noise and vibration. It is also equipped with a system that allows the train to move under its own power in the event of an electricity outage.

Takuya Yamakawa, a representative of the Hitachi-Toshiba consortium, said, "We are confident that it will help support the development of Taiwanese society."

Taiwan High Speed Rail plans to use the new trains to increase passenger capacity, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in July 2027.

Source: FNN

Chiba Flood Death Toll Rises to 10 Three Days After Record Rain

The death toll from record-breaking torrential rain in Chiba Prefecture has risen to 10, with 29 people injured, more than 1,500 homes damaged and one person still missing three days after the disaster.

Missing British Girl, 12, Found Safe After Staying at Internet Cafe

A 12-year-old British girl who disappeared while visiting Japan with her family was found safe in Yokohama on Saturday night, about 59 hours after leaving their private lodging in Tokyo, with police saying there was no indication that she had been involved in a crime.

Floodwaters Strand 1,200 Cars in Chiba

More than 1,200 vehicles are believed to have been left stranded on roads across Chiba Prefecture after torrential rain caused widespread flooding, with authorities confirming eight deaths and investigating a drainage pump failure at an underpass where a man died.

Aso Volcano Eruption Alert Level Raised to 3 in Kumamoto

Japan's weather agency raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture from Level 2 to Level 3 on August 14 after volcanic tremors strengthened and gas emissions increased sharply, warning people to stay away from areas within about 2 kilometers of the Nakadake No. 1 crater.

Typhoon No. 17 Weakens as It Tracks East Over Pacific

Typhoon No. 17 was moving east near Minamitorishima on August 14 and is expected to continue weakening before becoming a tropical depression by August 16.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

New Japan-Made Shinkansen Arrives in Taiwan

A new Japanese-made high-speed train developed for Taiwan arrived in the southern city of Kaohsiung on August 15, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in July 2027.

Kumamoto Earthquake Business Damage Tops 117.6 Billion Yen

Commercial and industrial damage from the Kumamoto earthquake has already reached 117.6 billion yen, while continuing water outages are preventing many businesses from reopening.

School Lunch Suspension and Rising Costs Hit Okinawa Dairy Farm

An Okinawa dairy farming family is working to protect local milk production as soaring feed and utility costs, extreme summer heat and reduced demand during the school vacation place growing pressure on an industry that has seen the number of farms fall sharply over the past four decades.

Nikkei Extends Rally as TOPIX Hits Fresh High

Tokyo stocks rose on August 14, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 68,714, up 0.59%, as investors continued buying semiconductor, artificial intelligence and earnings-backed shares, while the broader TOPIX gained 0.51% to 4,197 and reached another record high.

Rakuten Securities Prepares for Junior NISA Launch

Rakuten Securities held an event for parents and children at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on August 13 to teach families about building assets ahead of the launch of the new Junior NISA program in January 2027.

Google Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo's Omotesando

Google opened its first flagship store in Japan in Tokyo's Omotesando district at 2 p.m. on August 13, marking the company's first flagship retail location outside the United States.

Nikkei Climbs as Chip Rally Lifts TOPIX to Record High

Tokyo stocks rose on August 13, with the Nikkei 225 advancing to 68,601.21, up 1.6%, as semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares followed Wall Street higher, while the broader TOPIX climbed to a record high despite continued concern over wholesale inflation, the yen and Bank of Japan rate-hike expectations.

Former Toyota President Hiroshi Okuda Dies at 93

Hiroshi Okuda, a former president of Toyota Motor who helped lay the foundation for the automaker's emergence as one of the world's leading manufacturers, died of old age on August 8 at the age of 93.

< 2 3 4 5 >