Overview: 1957 saw the opening of Japan's first monorail. 60 years on, Japan is a world leader in monorail technology with 11 lines currently in operation covering a distance of 100km. In this program, we take a look at how monorails have become an increasingly popular mode of urban transportation; the unique characteristics and comparative benefits of both straddle and suspended monorail systems; and Japan's well-established monorail technology which has been gaining attention all over the world.