ABSTRACT
This study has considered the shinkansen from many different angles – its history, its importance as a symbol, the apparent desire of politicians and communities to have shinkansen built to their town or city, the economic impact of the shinkansen, the importance of the employees that operate it, and the way in which it reflects and responds to various challenges presented by the environment in which it operates. While it is normal to reflect upon some of the most salient points from a study in a concluding chapter, I intend to do that here largely in considering an issue that has only been touched upon in passing so far, namely the export of the shinkansen.
