Why Japan trains are painted Blue

Why many Japanese bullet trains are about to go blue

Tokyo - The use of a specially prepared blue paint could soon become commonplace on bullet trains in Japan. The paint inhibits the growth of bacteria and protects the train from damage.

The popular English name bullet train is a literal translation of the Japanese term dangan ressha. These trains are a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. The maximum operating speed is 320 km/h (200 mph) (on a 387.5 km section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen). The trains can, however, be prone to damage and weathering. They can also be affected long-term by microbial damage. Using an artificial protein that contains metal, researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have been able to inhibit the growth of a pathogenic bacterium prevalent in hospitals.