Interesting you say Japan.  I'm of Japanese descent and don't recall ever seeing much in the way of protests there.  The metro Tokyo area has 35 million people, which is how they can justify 15 subway lines and numerous surface lines.  

I would also note that the Shinkansen was just extended 93 miles from Aomori to Hakodate at a cost of $4.7 billion, or about one tenth of our per mile cost here.  True, it doesn't go through downtown Honolulu, but it is all isolated from grade crossings by fencing, culverts, bridges and many, many long tunnels bored through mountains.  It's also capable of cruising at over 160 mph, and is so punctual you can literally set your watch by it.