Hollywood star and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has wrapped up a trip to Japan. While in Tokyo, he took a ride on the bullet train, considering whether to bring it back to California.<br /><br />Japan is blowing its Shinkansen horn for the U.S. and California, with the governor known as the "Terminator" taking a ride on its high-speed bullet train Tuesday.<br /><br />The $165 billion world rail market is estimated to grow over 2 percent a year, while the U.S. market is seen as one of the most promising due to the Obama government's stimulus plan with $8 billion in high-speed provisioning.<br /><br />California was awarded $2.25 billion of that amount, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan Monday, who promoted the Japanese technology model.<br /><br />The former film star, on the second leg of an Asian trade mission that took him earlier to China and next to South Korea, says California wants to build a rail system like Japan's between Los Angeles and San Francisco.<br /><br />[Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California]:<br />"The prime minister has, you know, made a very good presentation and talked about high-speed rail, how important high-speed rail is for Japan, and how helpful they could be to California, to help us build the high-speed rail."<br /><br />California has seen its financial problems crimp its ability to move ahead with projects such as high-speed rail, and the Asian tour is seen as a way to sound out development proposals and possible financing.<br /><br />Schwarzenegger has made many visits to Japan over the years, but likely won't be back as California governor, as his current term ends in November.
