Amenned Japanese maglev train set a new world speed record of 581km/h on the 42.8Mn Yamanashi test track on December 2 2003, beating the 552km/h record established on the same track in April 1999.
Maglev is being developed by JR Central and Japan's Railway Technical Research Institute and work continues on tests to verify the reliability and durability of the superconducting maglev technology for commercial operation.