The world’s fastest train has been unveiled in Japan, ahead of its 2030 launch.

Dubbed the Alfa-X, it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 360-km per hour and consists of 10 carriages. Its sleek silver design is matched by its long and pointed nose which stretches out 22 meters in front of it.

Sapporo*, the main city in Japan’s northern Hokkaido* region, will be connected to the rest of the ultra-fast network, and a trip between Tokyo and Sapporo would be nearly halved to four and a half hours.

It comes equipped with a host of other technology as well as its exceptional speed. It is also fitted with an air brake as well as a conventional brake on the roof controlled by magnetic plated near the tracks. Dampeners* and air suspension will also be used to keep it stable and conformable.

The Alfa-X comes with other features deigned to make it less susceptible* to earthquakes. Alfa-X’s nose is designed to reduce noise and pressure at the extreme speeds and make it safer heading into tunnels.

Currently, the fastest trains in the world top out at 322-km per hour, also in Japan, as well as France.

This continues Japan’s push into bullet train technology, but magnetic rivals are in operation which surpass it in terms of raw speed.

These maglev* trains, which work by levitating via magnetism above the rails, can reach 431-km per hour, enabling it to cover a 30-km distance in just seven minutes and 20 seconds. Shanghai currently uses these trains.(SD-Agencies)