Internationally acclaimed industrial designer Mitooka Eiji is Japan's leading designer of railway vehicles. He has worked on more than 40 trains across Japan, including the luxury cruise train "Seven Stars in Kyushu" and JR Kyushu's Series 800 Shinkansen, as well as local railway trains such as Shinano Railway's "Rokumon" and Wakayama Electric Railway's "Tama Train." His latest work, "36+3," makes its debut in October. In this program, Mr. Mitooka shares his thoughts on how the railway will change after the coronavirus pandemic.

In recent years, the Japanese railway industry has seen the introduction of many unique trains designed by famous designers. These new trains were made possible thanks to rolling stock manufacturers and parts suppliers coming together to meet the new design challenges. Also, not only new trains are created, but existing trains are transformed, such as JR Kyushu's Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (scheduled to open in the fall of 2022), produced by an industrial designer. See how new design elements are causing Japanese trains to evolve.