Tokyo, June 26. (AP): Japan's largest railway company began a test run for a new bullet train which it eventually aims to operate at a record-breaking 360 kilometers per hour, according to news reports today.

The Fastech 360S, developed by East Japan Railway Co., successfully made its first test run between Sendai and Kitakami stations in northern Japan at 275 kph, Kyodo News agency reported.

The train, painted in jade color and white, has cat ear-shaped air-brakes that protrude from the rooftop to help slow the train when an emergency braking kicks in.

By the time the test ends in early 2008, the operator hopes to hit the maximum speed of 405 kph.

French company Alstom SA's TGV, or Train a Grande Vitesse, is currently the world's fastest that operates at a top speed of 350 kph.

The new "bullet" train is set to start commercial service in 2011, when a new section on the Tohoku bullet train line currently under construction is completed.

yThe train is expected to make the 580 kilometer trip between Tokyo and Aomori within three hours, half of the amount of time it currently takes.