Final answer:
Maglev, short for Magnetic Levitation, is a technology used by Japanese test vehicles like the MLX01 to achieve high speeds by floating above the tracks, thereby reducing friction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Japan has indeed been at the forefront of maglev technology with test vehicles such as the MLX01 reaching incredible speeds. 'Maglev' is short for magnetic levitation, which is a technology that allows trains to float above the tracks using powerful superconducting magnets. This method of transport reduces friction and allows for much faster speeds than traditional trains. The Shanghai maglev, another application of this technology, can drastically cut travel times, such as traveling from Boston to Washington D.C. in under an hour and a half.
To answer the student's question, maglev is short for Magnetic Levitation and not Steam Engine, Diesel Locomotive, or Bullet Train.