East Japan Railway Co.'s Alfa-X Shinkansen reached a top speed of 382 kph in a test run conducted Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Reporters were allowed to board the next-generation train for the first time to travel between Sendai and Morioka stations.
The 250-meter-long 10-car train was completed in May last year and has been undergoing a series of test runs mainly in the Tohoku region for the development of a train based on the Alfa-X to be installed on the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, which is scheduled to be extended to Sapporo in fiscal 2030.
The maximum speed for commercial operation is set to be 360 kph, putting it in the world's fastest class of bullet trains. Aiming to have the leeway for extra speed, Alfa-X hit 400 kph in a previous test run.
In addition to a brake that can stop the train soon after it detects an earthquake tremor, Alfa-X is the first of its kind to be equipped with an advanced control system to reduce vehicle vibration in all directions.
The test run exceeded the maximum speed of the E5 Series, which currently runs between Sendai and Morioka on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, by approximately 60 kph, but no major shaking was felt in the seats, and the noise did not disrupt conversation.
The test run will continue to be conducted around twice a week. A JR East spokesperson said, "We are aiming for a vehicle that is not only fast but also comfortable to ride in so that passengers can enjoy their time on the train."
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