largest in UK rail history and the project budget is roughly 4.5 billion pounds (540 billion yen at 120 yen per pound) for the order of roughly 600 carriages and roughly 30 years of carriage maintenance work.

The history of our nation’s railways was built with technology from the UK and was constructed under the direction of British engineers and locomotives were imported from the UK. In the present, Japan has accumulated technological development and experience and for bullet trains, it boasts world-class safety and reliability as indicated by zero passenger casualties in 48 years since beginning operations and less than one minute average delays.

When the railway system renewal project was conceptualized in the UK, major manufacturers from around the world dominated the European market and some thought Japanese companies would not be able to penetrate the market. However, in addition to the high technological expertise of Japanese companies and steady marketing efforts, the top sales of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other ministers, strengthening the framework for financing by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and other public financial support, regular bilateral talks between railway officials at the Director-General level, and other efforts to build a relationship between the railway authorities and relevant companies lead to the contract being awarded.

This project represents the public and private sector acting as one to successfully contract a project and in addition to the delivery of carriages, the carriage manufacturing plant being constructed in the UK will create new employment and also greatly contribute UK's society and economy as the birthplace of railways.

Using this successful bid as a starter, efforts will be ramped up further to pursue more international opportunities so Japan’s superior railway systems can be implemented abroad.

Reference) Efforts leading to the successful bid of this project

February 2009 Joint venture including Hitachi, Ltd. wins priority negotiation rights

April 2010 Laws revised to allow the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to finance high-speed railway projects in industrialized nations

May 2010 following a change in UK administration, the project was considered for cost cutting

→ this was followed by lobbying toward the UK from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other relevant ministers

March 2011 the UK Department for Transport announced the intent for resuming negotiations with the Hitachi consortium and aim to officially conclude the contract

September 2011 Secretary of State for Transport Hammond (time) visited Japan and test rode the bullet trains, etc.

July 2012 Hitachi's consortium wins contract

IEP Route Map

Source) MLIT

An Image of a Carriage for IEP

Source) Hitachi, Ltd.

## 2 Strengthening Public and Private Sector Information Gathering Through Various Councils

The public and private sector share information and exchange opinions regarding infrastructure projects through the organization of various councils (International Water Infrastructure PPP Council, International Road PPP Council,