Japanese Charm in Train Game
Posted by Neil Payne on July 3rd, 2009A global boom in infrastructure projects worth more than £200 billion has prompted Japan to launch its most expansive charm offensive in the international game of railway diplomacy.
From Washington to Ho Chi Minh City, via Delhi and Dubai, Japan has embarked on an unprecedented frenzy of salesmanship. Huge delegations representing businesses and the Government have begun circulating the world’s capitals pitching for any railway projects where Japan thinks it stands a chance of winning the bid.
In its desperation to win, say analysts in Tokyo, Japan is playing one of its favourite cards — huge overseas development aid (ODA) and generously termed loans — with the tacit expectation that those nations accepting them will “buy Japanese” when selecting their train maker. Recent examples have included extending a $5 billion (£3 billion) loan to India for rail upgrades and making a surprise offer to Moscow to help to finance the rebuilding of the Trans-Siberian railway.
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