In 2003 , the MOR was believed to favor Japan 's Shinkansen technology , especially the 700 series . The Japanese government touted the 40-year track record of the Shinkansen and offered favorable financing . A Japanese report envisioned a winner-take all scenario in which the winning technology provider would supply China 's trains for over of high-speed rail . However , Chinese citizens angry with Japan 's denial of World War II atrocities organized a web campaign to oppose the awarding of HSR contracts to Japanese companies . The protests gathered over a million signatures and politicized the issue . The MOR delayed the decision , broadened the bidding and adopted a diversified approach to adopting foreign high-speed train technology
World War II atrocities
Japanese war crimes
High-speed rail in China