Shinkansen Development and Early Expansion (1959–1975)

1. Diet approves New Tōkaidō Line project

   Dec 1, 1958Labels: New T, Japanese government

   • Tokaido Shinkansen

2. Construction begins on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen

   Apr 20, 1959Labels: T kaid, Shinji Sog

   • Tokaido Shinkansen
   • JRTR History

3. World Bank approves loan for the project

   May 2, 1961Labels: World Bank, New T

   • Tokaido Shinkansen
   • London Rail

4. Prototype trains begin high-speed testing on model track

   Jun 26, 1962Labels: Class 1000, Odawara test

   • Class 1000

5. First full-line test run Tokyo–Osaka completed

   Jul 25, 1964Labels: Tokyo Osaka, T kaid

   • Tokaido Shinkansen
   • Trains To Beyond

6. Tōkaidō Shinkansen opens for passenger service

   Oct 1, 1964Labels: T kaid, Passenger service

   • Britannica
   • JRTR History

7. 0 Series trains enter service on the new line

   Oct 1, 1964Labels: 0 Series, Japanese National

   • 0 Series
   • Tokaido Shinkansen

8. Faster scheduled service established with Hikari trains

   Jan 1, 1965Labels: Hikari service, T kaid

   • JRTR History

9. San’yō Shinkansen extension is authorized

   Sep 9, 1965Labels: San'y Shinkansen, Japanese government

   • San y Shinkansen
   • Britannica

10. Construction starts on Shin-Osaka–Okayama segment

    Mar 16, 1967Labels: Shin-Osaka Okayama, San'y construction

    • San y Shinkansen

11. Construction begins on Okayama–Hakata segment

    Feb 10, 1970Labels: Okayama Hakata, San'y Shinkansen

    • San y Shinkansen
    • Britannica

12. San’yō Shinkansen opens from Shin-Osaka to Okayama

    Mar 15, 1972Labels: Shin-Osaka Okayama, San'y Shinkansen

    • San y Shinkansen
    • Britannica

13. San’yō Shinkansen completed with Okayama–Hakata opening

    Mar 10, 1975Labels: San'y Shinkansen, Okayama Hakata

    • San y Shinkansen
    • Britannica