PM Modi Takes Bullet Train Ride in Japan, Meets Indian Drivers Training with JR East

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode Japan’s bullet train with Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday during the second day of his visit to Japan, stopping in Sendai to observe the new ALFA-X train and meet Indian train drivers training with East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

Sharing photos from the ride on X (formerly Twitter), Japanese PM Ishiba wrote, “With Prime Minister Modi to Sendai. Continuing from last night, I will be with you in the car,” and highlighted the ALFA-X train while receiving a briefing from JR East’s chairman. Modi also posed for photos with several Indian drivers before the journey.

Earlier in the day, Modi met governors from 16 Japanese prefectures in Tokyo, emphasizing the importance of state-prefecture collaboration. “State-prefecture cooperation is a vital pillar of India-Japan friendship,” he said, referring to the initiative launched during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit.

Modi noted that collaboration could extend to trade, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging sectors such as startups, technology, and AI.