"The key for the development of cities along the high speed rail will be their local characteristics," Hong said.
One often-cited example is Kakegawa, a medium-size city located midway between Tokyo and Osaka.
Following the introduction of the Shinkansen, Kakegawa's economy improved dramatically as it turned into a convenient site for national symposia and conferences, and built golf courses and other recreational facilities.
Cities lacking local characteristics, however, will degenerate at a faster pace, Hong said.
"Much like the construction of freeways energized the economy, we hope that, through fine-tuned policies, the nation will be able to use the high speed rail to generate similar benefits," Hong said.
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