Japanese Railway Stages

Published: 2022-02-09 - By: Alain LM
Last updated on: 2022-02-10

The evolution of railway in Japan can be roughly depicted in four stages, as described in the book 'A History of Japanese Railways, 1872–1999. East Japan Railway Culture Foundation (2000)' that is the main source of Wikipedia articles about the history of rail transport in Japan.

Here is a short description of each of the four stages:

Stage 1	1872 – 1906	Early Development	First railway lines built with the support of British, American and German engineers. Locomotives are imported from UK, USA and Germany. New lines are built by several companies, resulting that, in 1905, ca. 80% of Japanese network was privately owned, with 5 companies dominating (Nippon, San'yō, Kyushu and Kansai Railway companies and the Hokkaido Coal & Railway Co). First streetcar line in 1895 (Kyoto Electric Railway).
Stage 2	1906 – 1945	Nationalization to WWII	In 1906, the Japanese Government nationalized 17 out of 42 companies, including the "Big 5", creating the Japanese National Railways (JNR) under direct control of the Ministry of Transport. Private companies were still allowed but only for local service and branch lines. As of 1912, JNR designed its own locomotives that were fully built in Japan. Second wave of nationalizations at the beginning of WWII.
Stage 3	1945 – 1987	Post-war Recovery	In 1949, JNR becomes a state-owned public corporation. Reconstruction of the damaged network, with electrification of main trunk lines starting in the early 1950s. Steam is abolished in 1954, with most steam engines decommissioned by 1976. First high speed train Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964.
Stage 4	1987 - Present	JNR Division and Privatization	As a result of years of deficit, JNR filed for bankruptcy in 1986. It was divided into 6 regional passenger companies (JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu) and one national Freight company (JR Freight), belonging to the Japan Railways Group, more commonly known as the JR Group.