The announcement was made by Japanese ambassador to the United States Kenichiro Sasae after Japan and the state of Maryland entered into an agreement to formalize their trade relations.
Sasae signed the memorandum of cooperation with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan at Hogan’s residence in Annapolis on August 24.
“The relationship between Japan and Maryland has already started paying dividends, and with the signing of this Memorandum of Cooperation, we are taking the next important step,” Hogan said in a statement.
“Creating a strong partnership between our governments, and fostering a rich, vibrant, flourishing Japanese American community here in Maryland, will be vital in continuing to improve the economy of our state.”
Japan authorizes $2m study for DC to Baltimore high speed rail.
15 minute trip.August 26, 2016
Aside from the $10 billion Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMaglev) transportation project, the memorandum also covers collaboration by Maryland and Japan on areas of trade and investment, liquefied natural gas, academics, and life sciences.
“With our signatures, we are saying that we believe Maryland and Japan can benefit by working together,” said Ambassador Sasae. “I am here today to affirm to you that our embassy will do whatever we can to encourage our expanding bilateral relationship with the State of Maryland.”
Nearly $28 million in seed money were awarded in November last year by the state to a private undertaking that aims to construct the high-speed magnetic levitation train, which would connect Washington and Baltimore in 15 minutes.
Japan’s $2 million, which will form part of the 20 percent outside match requirement, is intended for the project’s planning and engineering analysis.
The Wall Street Journal: The low-speed advance of a high-speed East Coast train: The goal: Baltimore to Washi… August 27, 2016
“The ability to travel between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. in only 15 minutes will be absolutely transformative, not just for these two cities, but for our entire state,” Hogan said. “This grant will go a long way in helping us determine our next steps in this transportation and economic development opportunity.”
Led by Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail, the Baltimore-Washington SCMaglev project is a private sector initiative that eyes to establish the high-speed railway.
In November, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved the application of Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR) and The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) to acquire a passenger railroad franchise that was abandoned in 1935.
The approval marked an important step for BWRR and TNEM in their effort to pursue the high-speed magnetic levitation train project.
