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Shinkansen Chronology

1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s

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1956
10 May: Japanese National Railways sets up team to start shinkansen feasibility study.

1957
25 May: Railway Technology Centre forecasts 3 hour journey time between Tokyo and Osaka by new "Dream Super-express".

1958
19 December: Tokaido Shinkansen project authorized.

1959
20 April: Construction of Tokaido Shinkansen started at entrance to Shin-Tanna tunnel.

1961
18 October: Route of Tokaido Shinkansen finalized between Tokyo and Osaka.
8 November: Order placed for two prototype trains (sets A and B).

1962
25 April: First prototype A set (1001 + 1002) delivered.
10 May: Cars 1003 and 1004 of prototype set B delivered.
26 May: Cars 1005 and 1006 of prototype set B delivered.
22 June: Test running starts using prototype set A on Kamonomiya test track.
31 October: Speed of 200 km/h recorded by prototype set B on Kamonomiya test track.

1963
30 March: Speed of 256 km/h recorded by prototype set B on Kamonomiya test track.
19 August: Interior design of production trains finalized.

1964
February: First pre-production 6-car 0 series set (set C) delivered.
2 March: Test running starts on Kamonomiya test track using set C.
10 April: Test running starts between Kamonomiya and Atami.
13 April: First production sets delivered to Osaka depot.
28 April: Test running starts between Osaka and Maibara using production sets.
27 May: Test running starts between Atami and Mishima.
2 June: First production sets delivered to Tokyo depot.
30 June: 210 km/h recorded in test runs between Shin-Osaka and Maibara.
1 July: Tracklaying completed over entire line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
7 July: Names "Hikari" and "Kodama" chosen for trains.
25 July: Test running starts over entire line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
29 July: Shinkansen trains demonstrated to public at Tokyo station.
August: 4-car class 1000 B set converted to class 922/0.
September: 2-car class 1000 A set converted to class 941.
4 September: Initial fleet of 30 trains (360 cars) completed.
1 October: Start of service between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. 60 trains daily with Hikari services taking 4 hours, and Kodama services taking 5 hours.
26 December: Non-reserved 2nd class cars introduced on Kodama services on trial basis over holiday period. Previously all reserved cars.

1965
20 May: Cars 1 to 7 on Kodama services made non-reserved cars (including one 1st class car).
25 May: First general overhaul performed on set N1 at Hamamatsu Works.
1 June: Public telephones installed in buffet cars. Service only available within major city areas.
9 September: Construction of Sanyo Shinkansen line from Shin-Osaka to Okayama authorized.
1 November: Improvements to shinkansen timetable. Number of trains daily increased to 110, with Hikari services taking 3 hours 10 minutes, and Kodama services taking 4 hours.

1966
10 November: Shizuoka stabling point opened.

1967
10 March: Platform 16 at Tokyo station completed.
16 March: Construction of Sanyo Shinkansen line commences between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
13 July: 1,016 days after opening, a total of 100 million passengers carried.
1 October: Timetable improvements increase number of trains daily to 138.
25 November: Lineside water sprinklers installed between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara.

1968
6 June: Test running starts using 16-car trains.

1969
March: 2-car class 951 prototype train delivered.
25 April: Station opened at Mishima, between Atami and Shizuoka.
May: 1st class cars renamed as "Green cars". 2nd class cars renamed as "Standard cars".
2 July: 2-car class 951 prototype commences trials.
12 September: Extension of Sanyo Shinkansen line from Okayama to Hakata authorized.
1 October: Number of trains daily increased to 200.
8 December: Introduction of 16-car formations on Hikari services. Previously all 12 cars.

1970
10 February: Construction started on Sanyo Shinkansen line between Okayama and Hakata.
1 October: Green cars on Kodama services made all seats reserved.

1971
17 July: Introduction of 16-car formations on Kodama services between Tokyo and Mishima.
16 October: Test running starts on Sanyo Shinkansen line between Okayama and Hakata using class 951 test train.
28 November: Construction starts on Tohoku Shinkansen line. Ceremony held at Sendai station.
3 December: Escalators introduced to platforms at Tokyo station.
12 December: Construction starts on Joetsu Shinkansen line.

1972
27 January: Public test run operates between Tokyo and Okayama.
24 February: National speed record of 286 km/h achieved by class 951 test train on Sanyo Shinkansen line between Shin-Kobe and Nishi-Akashi.
15 March: Services commence on Sanyo Shinkansen line between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
23 September: Total passengers carried by shinkansen reaches 500 million.

1973
21 February: Train derails at low speed within Osaka depot.
27 April: Shinkansen services severely disrupted by one-day national rail strike.
29 July: Class 961 6-car prototype train delivered.
1 August: Class 961 prototype train starts test running between Hamamatsu and Nagoya.
1 September: Oi shinkansen depot opened in Tokyo.

1974
1 February: Work begins on shinkansen link connecting Narita Airport with Tokyo. Project later abandoned.
1 March: Shinkansen services completely suspended for one day due to national rail strike.
5 September: Restaurant cars introduced on Hikari services.
31 October: Class 922/10 "Doctor Yellow" train (T2) delivered.
Number of platforms at Shin-Osaka increased from two to three.

1975
20 January: Test running starts between Tokyo and Hakata.
10 March: Sanyo Shinkansen services commence on section between Okayama and Hakata.
Wheelchair facilities included on Hikari trains.
12 May: HM Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh travels on Hikari 100 service from Nagoya to Tokyo during state visit to Japan.

1976
25 May: 1 billion passengers carried since start of operations.
1 July: Revised timetable increases number of trains daily to 275.
August: Class 941 and 922/0 trains withdrawn.
20 August: No-smoking cars (Car 16) introduced on Kodama services between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
19 November: First 0 series cars cut up at Hamamatsu Works.

1977
21 January: Doors open on Hiroshima-bound Hikari service between Hakata and Kokura. Train makes emergency stop. Faulty wiring blamed.
1 May: Advertisements make first appearance inside shinkansen cars.
10 August: 42.8 km Tohoku Shinkansen Oyama test section completed between Kuki and Ishibashi.

1978
April: 4 cars of first production 0 series set H1 preserved at Osaka Transport Science Museum.
5 June: Test running commences with 6-car class 961 on Tohoku Shinkansen Oyama test section.

1979
February: 6-car class 962 prototype train delivered.
November: Class 922/20 "Doctor Yellow" train (T3) delivered.
7 December: National speed record of 319 km/h achieved by class 961 test train on Tohoku Shinkansen Oyama test section.
11 December: Low-speed test running starts on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Ichinoseki using class 925 test train.

1980
12 February: Class 925 test train reaches 210 km/h during test running on Tohoku Shinkansen tracks.
April: Class 951 test train withdrawn.
6 June: Testing ends on Tohoku Shinkansen Oyama test section.
September: First production 200 series 12-car E set delivered.
1 October: No-smoking cars introduced on Hikari services.
31 October: Trial running starts on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Ichinoseki using production 200 series trains at speeds up to 210 km/h.
5 November: Trial running starts on Joetsu Shinkansen between Nagaoka and Niigata using production 200 series trains.
16 December: Snow performance trials start on Joetsu Shinkansen using class 925 test train between Niigata and Nagaoka.

1981
29 October: Names "Yamabiko", "Aoba", "Asahi" and "Toki" selected for Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen services.
4 Novenber: 210 km/h reached for first time on Joetsu Shinkansen during test running between Echigo-Yuzawa and Nagaoka.

1982
3 February: Station names finalized for Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen routes.
2 March: Test running starts betweem Omiya and Oyama on Tohoku Shinkansen.
21 March: Driver training starts betweem Omiya and Morika on Tohoku Shinkansen.
23 June: Tohoku Shinkansen services start between Omiya and Morioka. 20 trains daily. "Shinkansen Relay" express shuttles provided on conventional tracks between Omiya and Ueno.
23 July: Driver training starts betweem Omiya and Niigata on Joetsu Shinkansen.
October: Class 962 test train converted to class 925/10 set S2.
15 November: Joetsu Shinkansen services start between Omiya and Niigata. 42 trains daily.
Tohoku Shinkansen services increased to 60 daily.

1983
September: First 12-car 200 series "F" sets delivered.
22 September: Test running at 240 km/h starts on Tohoku Shinkansen using class 925 test train.

1984
1 July: No-smoking accommodation increased to two cars on Hikari and Kodama services.
29 October: Class 925 test train records speed of 261 km/h on Tohoku Shinkansen.

1985
9 March: Platform 20 opened at Shin-Osaka station.
14 March: Tohoku Shinkansen line opened between Omiya and Ueno.
Mizusawa-Esashi and Shin-Hanamaki stations opened on Tohoku Shinkansen.
Maximum speed of Yamabiko services raised to 240 km/h north of Omiya.
27 March: First 100 series train (X1) with double-deck centre cars runs publicly between Tokyo and Mishima.
1 April: No-smoking accommodation increased on all shinkansen services to include reserved cars.
24 June: Reformed 6-car 0 series units enter service on 4 return additional Kodama services between Hakata and Kokura.
28 June: Test running at 220 km/h started using 0 series trains.
20 August: 100 series prototype unit (X1) achieves speed of 230 km/h during tests on Tokaido Shinkansen.
2 September: 100 series prototype unit (X1) achieves speed of 260 km/h between Ogori and Shin-Shimonoseki during tests on Sanyo Shinkansen.
1 October: 100 series prototype unit (X1) enters service for passenger evaluation with one return trip between Tokyo and Hakata daily.
21 October: Class 925 test train records speed of 272 km/h on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Ichinoseki.

1986
13 June: First production 100 series X sets introduced temporarily as 12-car sets for use on Kodama services.
27 June: Total of 100 million passengers carried on Tohoku Shinkansen since opening.
1 November: With revised timetable, speeds on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen lines raised from 210 km/h to 220 km/h. Tokyo to Shin-Osaka journey time reduced to 2 hours 52 minutes for limited stop Hikari services. Tokyo to Hakata journey time reduced to 5 hours 57 minutes.
100 series units enter service with 4 return trips daily between Tokyo and Hakata.
6-car 0 series units enter full service with 28 return Kodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
20 November: 12-car 200 series train achieves speed of 271 km/h during high-speed tests on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Kitakami.

1987
1 April: Hikari services employing 100 series units increased to 6 return trips daily between Tokyo and Hakata.
18 April: 10-car 200 series (G sets) introduced on Joetsu Shinkansen Toki services.
16 October: Reserved car seating on some Kodama services converted from 3+2 to 2+2.

1988
14 March: With revised timetable, maximum speed of Joetsu shinkansen line Asahi services raised to 240km/h.
5 new stations opened on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen at Shin-Fuji, Kakegawa, Mikawa-Anjo, Shin-Onomichi, and Higashi-Hiroshima.
4 return West Hikari services daily introduced connecting Shin-Osaka and Hakata in 2 hours 59 minutes.
1 April: Cinema cars introduced on 2 return Hikari services daily between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
2 December: 200 series train records speed of 276 km/h on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Kitakami during tests.

1989
11 March: Grand Hikari services introduced on Sanyo Shinkansen running at maximum speed of 230 km/h.
28 April: All remaining 12-car 0 series Kodama formations increased to 16 cars.
8 September: 200 series train records speed of 276.2 km/h between Jomo-Kogen and Urasa during tests.
1 October: 25 years after the start of shinkansen operations, a total of 2.75 billion passengers carried.

1990
10 February: 100 series V set records speed of 277.2 km/h between Hakata and Shin-Shimonoseki during test running on Sanyo Shinkansen.
8 March: First 300 series pre-production train (unit J0) completed. Initially branded "Super Hikari".
10 March: With revised timetable, maximum speed of selected down Asahi services raised to 275 km/h on section between Jomo Kogen and Urasa.
New station opened at Kurikoma-kogen on Tohoku Shinkansen.
1 April: 8.5 km Hakata Minami line opened between Hakata and Hakata-Minami.
June: Class 961 test train withdrawn. End cars moved to Sendai depot.
23 June: First double-deck centre cars make appearance on Tohoku Shinkansen services. Single trailer cars are added to 200 series 12-car "F" sets to make 6 13-car "H" sets.
1 July: "300X Series" project team formed by JR Central.
7 July: 300 series train records speed of 272 km/h between Kyoto and Maibara on Tokaido line during high-speed trials.
6 November: Pre-production 400 series train (set S4) delivered.
14 November: 400 series train commences test running on newly converted Yamagata Shinkansen line.
December: 300 series train records speed of 303.1 km/h between Kyoto and Maibara on Tokaido line during high-speed trials.
20 December: Spur to new Gala Yuzawa station opened from Echigo-Yuzawa station on Joetsu Shinkansen.

1991
30 January: Test running starts with 400 series and 200 series coupled together between Sendai and Omiya.
28 February: 300 series test train records national speed record of 325.7 km/h between Kyoto and Maibara on Tokaido Shinkansen.
16 March: Tohoku 200 series "H" sets augmented to 16 cars with the addition of a second double-deck trailer and two motored cars.
26 March: 400 series test train records national speed record of 336.0 km/h between Echigo-Yuzawa and Urasa on Joetsu Shinkansen.
2 April: Class 925 test train enters Tokyo station on Tohoku Shinkansen tracks for first time.
20 May: 400 series train coupled to 200 series unit enters Tokyo station for first time on tests.
20 June: Tohoku Shinkansen services extended from Ueno to Tokyo station.
19 September: 400 series test train records national speed record of 345 km/h between Echigo-Yuzawa and Urasa on Joetsu Shinkansen.
6 December: Name "Nozomi" announced by JR Central for new services featuring 300 series vehicles from March 1992.
9 December: Name "Tsubasa" announced by JR East for new Yamagata Shinkansen services featuring 400 series vehicles from March 1992.

1992
14 March: With start of new timetable, 300 series trains introduced on Nozomi services running at 270 km/h between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. Journey time is cut to 2 hours 30 minutes.
Yamagata Shinkansen through services from Tokyo to Yamagata commence featuring new 400 series trains.
Experimental class 952/953 "STAR21" train completed.
April: Experimental class 500-900 "WIN350" train delivered.
2 April: Experimental class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train delivered.
10 June: 300 series trains start trials on Sanyo Shinkansen tracks.
Tokyo No. 1 Shinkansen depot at Shinagawa closed.
29 June: 400 series pre-production set, S4, converted to full production standard and renumbered L1.
1 July: 400 series trains start through Tsubasa services between Tokyo and Yamagata via Fukushima.
August: Class 500-900 "WIN350" 6-car test train records speed of 350.4 km/h on Sanyo Shinkansen between Ogori and Shin-Shimonoseki.
30 October: Class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train records national speed record of 352 km/h on Joetsu Shinkansen between Urasu and Niigata.
1 November: Class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train records national speed record of 358 km/h on Joetsu Shinkansen between Tsubame-Sanjo and Niigata.
7 December: First 300 series train for JR West delivered.

1993
18 March: With start of new timetable, Nozomi services extended to run hourly between Tokyo and Hakata.
15 September: Class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train records national speed record of 372 km/h on Joetsu Shinkansen.
21 December: Class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train records national speed record of 425 km/h on Joetsu Shinkansen between Tsubame-Sanjo and Niigata.

1994
3 March: First double-deck E1 "Max" shinkansen (set M1) delivered.
15 July: Double-deck E1 "Max" shinkansen enters limited service on Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines.
1 October: 30th anniversary of commencement of shinkansen services in Japan. Since opening, 2.8 billion passengers carried with no fatalities.
22 December: Class 955 "300X" experimental train unveiled at JR Central Hamamatsu Works.

1995
17 January: Strong earthquake hits Hyogo Prefecture, centred on Kobe. Sanyo Shinkansen line severely damaged in 9 locations between Shin-Osaka and Nishi-Akashi. Services west of Osaka terminate at Himeji.
28 March: Pre-production E3 series set (S8) delivered.
8 April: Full services resume on Sanyo Shinkansen 3 months after suspension following the Hyogo earthquake.
14 April: Pre-production E2' series set (S7) delivered.
May: Class 500-900 "WIN350" train withdrawn.
10 May: Last remaining 0 series Hikari services operated by JR Central eliminated.
25 May: Class 955 "300X" experimental train starts test running between Kyoto and Maibara.
6 June: Pre-production E2 series set (S6) delivered.
21 July: One return trip daily between Shin-Osaka and Hakata runs as "Family Hikari" for 10-day period.
24 October: First trailer vehicles delivered for augmenting 400 series sets from 6 to 7 cars. All completed by 1st December.
1 December: Double-deck E1 "Max" shinkansen fleet increased from 3 to 6 sets.
New all-stations "Nasuno" services introduced on Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nasu-Shiobara.
27 December: 17 year-old student killed at Mishima station after being dragged along platform by Tokyo to Nagoya Kodama train. Programme of modifications to door-closing mechanism on 0 series trains announced by JR Central the following day.

1996
16 March: No-smoking accommodation on Nozomi and Hikari services increased to 10 cars out of 16.
26 July: Class 955 test train records national speed record of 443.0 km/h on Tokaido Shinkansen between Maibara and Kyoto. Ranks second in the world after the French TGV record.
30 July: JR East announces name "Komachi" chosen for Akita Shinkansen services starting in 1997.
29 September: First test run on newly opened section of Hokuriku Shinkansen line from Takasaki to Karuizawa, using class 925 "Doctor Yellow" test train.
14 November: First test run of E2 series on Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Takasaki and Karuizawa.
2 December: JR West 500 series train starts test running between Maibara and Kyoto.
11 December: E2 and E2' series pre-production sets S6 and S7 renumbered N1 and J1 respectively.
20 December: First production E2' series set delivered.

1997
22 March: With the start of the new timetable, E3 series trains start through Komachi services to Akita via Morioka running in conjunction with 200 series or new E2' units.
500 series trains enter limited service on the Sanyo Shinkansen with one return Nozomi trip daily between Shin-Osaka and Hakata operating at a maximum 300 km/h.
Newly reformed 4-car 0 series "Q" units introduced on Kodama services operating between Hakata and Kokura.
25 March: First production E2 series set delivered.
16 April: JR East announces name "Asama" chosen for Hokuriku Shinkansen services starting in October 1997.
7 May: Test running starts between Karuizawa and Nagano on Nagano Shinkansen using class 925 test train.
17 May: Test running starts between Karuizawa and Nagano on Nagano Shinkansen using E2 series train.
1 June: First 200 series cars (226-61 and 225-453) withdrawn.
15 July: E2' series pre-production set J1 converted to full production standard.
26 September: E2 series pre-production set N1 converted to full production standard.
1 October: With revised timetable, Asama services commence on new Nagano (Hokuriku) Shinkansen, featuring E2 series 8-car units.
Names "Aoba" and "Toki" discontinued for Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen all-stations services.
New Tanigawa services start on Joetsu Shinkansen between Tokyo and Takasaki/Echiko-Yuzawa.
JR East shinkansen platforms at Tokyo station increased from two to four.
3 October: 700 series pre-production train (C0) demonstrated at Hamamatsu Works.
8 October: First E4 series set (P1) delivered.
28 November: MLX01 3-car maglev train exceeds 500 km/h for first time in manned tests, recording a speed of 503 km/h on Yamanashi test track.
29 November: Nozomi services featuring 500 series trains extended to run between Tokyo and Hakata. Journey time reduced to 4 hrs 49 mins.
12 December: MLX01 3-car maglev train sets world speed record of 531 km/h in manned test run on Yamanashi test track.
20 December: E4 trains enter service on Tohoku Shinkansen.
24 December: MLX01 3-car maglev train further raises world speed record to 550 km/h in unmanned test run on Yamanashi test track.

1998
12 January: Cutting-up of first surplus 200 series vehicles commences at Sendai depot.
February: Class 952/953 "STAR21" 9-car test train withdrawn.
28 March: Ground-breaking ceremonies held at Shin-Aomori and Joetsu to mark start of construction on Tohoku and Hokuriku extensions.
3 October: With start of revised timetable, 500 series Nozomi services increased from five to seven return workings daily.
6 October: Total of 1 billion passengers carried on Tohoku, Joetsu and Nagano Shinkansen lines since start of first services in June 1982.
8 December: From start of revised timetable, all E3 series trains lengthened to 6 cars.
E2 sets introduced on Asahi services.

1999
February: First refurbished 200 series train (K47) outshopped.
13 March: 700 series trains enter service on three daily return Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen line Nozomi services.
Tokaido 0 series workings reduced to just two return Kodama services daily.
New station opens at Asa between Ogori and Shin-Shimonoseki on Sanyo Shinkansen line.
14 April: MLX01 5-car maglev train sets new world speed record of 552 km/h in manned test run on Yamanashi test track.
28 April: E4 series trains introduced on Yamabiko/Tsubasa services in conjunction with 400 series trains.
200 series "K" sets cascaded to Joetsu Shinkansen services, and remaining "G" sets withdrawn.
1 July: JR Central increases 700 series Nozomi services from three to five return workings daily.
30 July: Services operated on Tohoku Shinkansen featuring E4 trains further increased.
18 September: Last remaining JR Central 0 series YK trains withdrawn from service.
2 October: From start of revised timetable, all Tokyo to Hakata Nozomi services operated by 500 and 700 series trains.
100 series X sets withdrawn from scheduled workings.
3 December: First JR West 8-car 700 series trains delivered.
4 December: From start of revised timetable, Tsubasa services extended to Shinjo following completion of regauging work between Yamagata and Shinjo.
New 7-car E3 series trains introduced on Tsubasa services.

2000
11 March: 8-car 700 series trains enter service on new Hikari Rail Star services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
JR West discontinues restaurant car services on Grand Hikari trains.
21 April: Last remaining West Hikari services withdrawn.
September: Class 923 "Doctor Yellow" train delivered to JR Central Hamamatsu Works.
4 October: First reformed 4-car 100 series train (unit P1) introduced on Sanyo Kodama services.
December: First E2-1000 series train (unit J51) delivered to Sendai Depot.

2001
5 February: Class 923 "Doctor Yellow" train starts test running.
7 May: E4 series "Max" trains introduced on Joetsu Shinkansen Max-Asahi and Max-Tanigawa services.
June: First JR West 16-car 700 series "B" set delivered.
22 July: E4 series "Max" trains introduced on seasonal Nagano Shinkansen Max-Asama services.
August: First refurbished 100 series unit with 2+2 abreast seating introduced on Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama services.
28 August: 7-car class E926 "East i" train delivered to JR East.
3 September: 7-car class 923 "Doctor Yellow" train enters service on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen.
1 October: Nozomi service frequency increased from hourly to half-hourly on Tokaido Shinkansen. Number of no-smoking cars increased from 10 to 11.
November: GCT01 "Free Gauge Train" starts test running on Sanyo Shinkansen between Ogori and Shin-Shimonoseki.
21 November: First E2-1000 series set, J51, enters revenue-earning service on Tohoku Shinkansen.
1 December: Green cars on Akita Shinkansen Komachi services made all no-smoking.

2002
31 January: JR Central Class 955 "300X" test train withdrawn.
4 February: First reformed 6-car 100 series train (unit K51) introduced on Sanyo Kodama services.
14 May: JR East announces name "Hayate" chosen for new services on Tohoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe starting in December 2002.
17 May: First JR West reliveried 0 series unit (R63) outshopped.
17 May: Preserved car 955-1 of former 300X set moved to RTRI Maihara test facility.
18 July: Test running starts on Tohoku Shinkansen extension between Morioka and Hachinohe using E926 "East i" test train.
19 July: First 10-car E2-1000 series train (set J52) shown to press at Sendai General depot.
30 July: First test run using E2-1000 series train (set J52) on Tohoku Shinkansen extension from Morioka to Hachinohe.
12 August: First JR West reliveried 100 series unit (K54) enters service.
20 August: First test run using 200 series train (set F19) on Tohoku Shinkansen extension from Morioka to Hachinohe.
28 August: First test run using E4 series train on Tohoku Shinkansen extension from Morioka to Hachinohe.
10 September: First test run at 260 km/h using E2' series train on Tohoku Shinkansen extension between Morioka and Hachinohe.
15 September: First E2 series J set (J9) lengthened to 10 cars.
1 December: New Hayate services to Hachinohe commence using 10-car E2-1000 series trains.
Joetsu Shinkansen Asahi services renamed Toki.

2003
19 March: JR East starts high-speed test-running at speeds up to 360 km/h on Joetsu Shinkansen between Urasa and Niigata using modified E2-1000 series set.
20 March: JR Kyushu announces name Tsubame for Kyushu Shinkansen services starting in 2004.
6 April: E2-1000 series set J56 records speed of 362 km/h during high-speed test run on Joetsu Shinkansen between Urasa and Niigata.
11 August: First 800 series train delivered to Sendai Depot on Kyushu Shinkansen.
16 September: Last remaining 16-car 100 series trains withdrawn from service.
22 September: Test running starts on Kyushu Shinkansen between Kagoshima-Chuo and Shin-Yatsushiro.
1 October: New secondary Tokyo terminus opens at Shinagawa.
Ogori station on Sanyo Shinkansen renamed Shin-Yamaguchi.
Tokaido Nozomi services increased from maximum of 3 to 7 per hour.
Non-reserved seats introduced on Nozomi services.
17 November: MLX01 5-car maglev train sets new world speed record of 560 km/h in unmanned test run on Yamanashi test track.
19 November: MLX01 maglev train sets world speed record of 579 km/h in unmanned test run on Yamanashi test track.
28 November: First refurbished and reliveried E1 series set (M4) enters service on Joetsu Shinkansen.
2 December: MLX01 3-car maglev train sets world speed record of 581 km/h in manned test run on Yamanashi test track.

2004
30 January: First completed 700T shinkansen for export to Taiwan is unveiled.
13 March: Kyushu Shinkansen opens between Kagoshima-Chuo and Shin-Yatsushiro.
13 March: New station opens at Honjo-Waseda between Kumagaya and Takasaki on Joetsu
23 October: Strong earthquake in Niigata-Chuetsu region derails Joetsu Shinkansen Toki 325 service at speed. Line closed between Echigo-Yuzawa and Nagaoka.
28 December: Joetsu Shinkansen reopens two months after Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake.

2005
February: Pre-production N700 series tilting train (Z0) delivered to Hamamatsu Works.
10 March: Pre-production N700 series train starts test running on Tokaido Shinkansen between Hamamatsu and Shizuoka.
March: JR West Class 923 "Doctor Yellow" set T5 delivered to Hakata Depot.
22 May: Construction work starts on Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate stations.
June: Prototype E954 series "Fastech 360S" 8-car tilting train (S9) delivered to Sendai Depot.
24 July: Pre-production N700 series train reaches Tokyo for first time on test tun.
29 July: Pre-production N700 series train reaches Hakata for first time on test tun.
August: E954 series "Fastech 360S" train records top speed of 398 km/h during test run on Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Kitakami.
September: JR West Class 922 "Doctor Yellow" set T3 withdrawn.
10 December: From start of new timetable, Nagano Shinkansen Asama services made entirely no-smoking.

2006
9 March: Prototype E955 series "Fastech 360Z" 6-car tilting train (S10) delivered to Sendai Depot.
18 March: From start of new timetable, no-smoking accommodation on Tokaido Shinkansen services increased to 12 cars out of 16.

2007
17 March: First JR Central production N700 series set (Z1) delivered to Hamamatsu Works.
18 March: All JR East Shinkansen services made entirely no-smoking.
28 March: 300 series prototype set J1 withdrawn.
9 May: Last remaining unrefurbished 200 series set (F19) withdrawn from service.
9 May: Refurbished 200 series set (K47) repainted into original ivory/green livery to mark 25th anniversaries of Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen.
June: First JR West N700 series set (N1) delivered.
1 July: New 300 km/h capable N700 series tilting trains introduced on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi services. Journey time between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka reduced to 2 hrs 25 mins.

2008
September: First E3-2000 series 7-car set (L61) delivered.
October: Pre-production Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen N700 series 8-car set (S1) delivered.
30 November: Last remaining JR West 0 series trains withdrawn from service.
1 December: Shortened 8-car JR West 500 series sets introduced on Sanyo Kodama services.
December: New E3-2000 series sets introduced on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services.

2009
Summer: Last remaining JR East 400 series trains withdrawn from service.

2010
New 320 km/h tilting trains delivered for use on Tohoku Shinkansen.
December:Tohoku Shinkansen extension completed between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori.

2011
Spring: Kyushu Shinkansen fully opened between Hakata and Kagoshima-chuo.
New trains introduced on Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate services running at 300 km/h. Maximum speed of line between Omiya and Utsunomiya raised from 240 km/h to 275 km/h.

2013
Maximum speed of Hayate services increased to 320 km/h.
New trains introduced on Komachi services.
Hokuriku Shinkansen extension opened between Nagano and Kanazawa.
Last remaining 200 series trains withdrawn from service.

2015
First section of Hokkaido Shinkansen completed between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate.

2025
Chuo Shinkansen maglev line opens between Tokyo and Nagoya. Journey time is reduced to 40 minutes.

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