IHRA was established as an international organization to serve the public interest by introducing a safe and reliable High-Speed Rail (HSR) system.

IHRA is neither a government agency nor a corporation looking to win a specific project. For the past decade, IHRA spent years communicating with senior leaders in various governments, legislatures, business, and the press who are interested in deploying a HSR system in their own country.

Through our activities aimed at sharing information, knowledge, and experience of HSR system based on the principle of “Crash Avoidance” and the “Total System Approach,” I am happy to see the understanding for the Shinkansen system growing.

With the demand for development of a sustainable economy and decarbonized society, the world is becoming increasingly interested in HSR.

IHRA's role in sharing our most important truth of all, “HSR is not just transportation, it is transformation,” is becoming more important now than it was 10 years ago.

IHRA was born on 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen, the world's first high-speed rail. At the beginning of its activities, IHRA had no predecessors or precedents to follow and was truly navigating in uncharted waters. Despite those conditions, IHRA has been able to continue its activities for the past 10 years thanks to the continued enthusiasm and support from everyone who has been involved in IHRA’s activities in their own positions, including IHRA’s board directors, advisory board members, member companies, guests, past secretariat members, and the many friends we have met in the countries we have visited. IHRA is grateful to all friends for their continued kindness and support. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I am reminded of all of you who have warmly supported IHRA's activities.

IHRA will never forget our gratitude, and we will continue to cherish our relationships with you to further enhance our activities in the future.

In October this year, IHRA Meeting 2024 will be held in Taipei, Taiwan, with the cooperation of Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation. In October 2025, the 5th IHRA Forum 2025 will be held in Tokyo.

IHRA will continue to do its utmost to contribute to the development of HSR around the world, and we look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the future.