Kyushu Shinkansen railway lines connected

Japan's world-renowned bullet train service is covering more ground.

A new rail line extension has been connected on the southwestern island of Kyushu.

A ceremony was held on Monday at Kumamoto station to celebrate the addition of the 120-kilometer section.

Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima helped fasten the last part of the rail with a golden bolt. Then a train that takes care of track maintenance made the maiden run.

This extension of the bullet train or "Shinkansen" line means the high-speed service will run from north to south on Kyushu island.

The train will make the nearly 260 kilometer trip from the northern city of Hakata to the southern city of Kagoshima in 80 minutes.

It is expected to start service in March of next year.

Until then, the train only runs between Yatsushiro of Kumamoto prefecture and Kagoshima.