Now Japan has 27,438 kilometers railway network in 2000. JR has 20,051 kilometers, and other private railways, municipal subways, streetcars and other occupies rest of network. Introduction of Railway to Japan The first railway in Japan is current Tokaido Line between Shimbashi and Yokohama, 29 kilometers, which was largely helped by technology of England. It was opened in 1872, built by 1,067 narrow gauge. At that time, Japan was not rich country and it was inevitable to put importance on decreasing cost rather than increasing speed and traffic capacity, but narrow gauge standard had restricted the advancement of Japanese railways after that to some extent. In 1889, Tokaido line between Tokyo and Kobe, which is the most important route in Japan, was completed. In 1891, railway from Tokyo Ueno to Aomori, the north most of Honshu Island, was completed by private company, Japan Railways. In the early period of Japan Railways, the construction of railway was on boom and both National railways and many companies attempted to extend railway line. In 1901, private Sanyo Railways line connected Kobe and Shimonoseki, west most of Honshu Island and terminal of ferry to Korean Peninsula. Shimonoseki was important city when many people used railways when going from Japan to Korea, China and Europe. In 1904, the first electric urban railway service was begun between Idamachi and Nakano of Kobu Railways (now Chuo line). After that, urban railways dense network had developed in Tokyo and Osaka area, and many of them were operated by private electric railway companies. Completion of Major Railway Network Until 1987, railways except urban lines and some short distance line around country cities had been managed by National Railways. It dates back to 1906, when Railway Nationalization Act was implemented. Most long distance lines operated by private companies came to be hold by National Railways. In 1914, current Tokyo central station opened. In 1920, National Railway network reached 10,000 km, and basic network between major cities was formed. About seventy percent of Japan is mountain, and steep geography is the obstacle to construct railways. According to the development of technology, long tunnels came to be constructed, route between large cities was shortened and traffic capacity increased. In 1931, Shimizu tunnel (9702 meter) of Joetsu line which goes through the center of Honshu Island opened, and in 1934, Tanna tunnel (7804 meters) of Tokaido line which bypasses difficult Hakone Mountain opened. In 1942, Kanmon channel tunnel opened, and Honshu and Kyushu Island was connected. Most rail lines currently existing were completed around 1930s. Rapid Advancement of Facility and Technology During and after the Second World War, passenger services were cut and many railway facilities were destroyed and it took several years to recover the service before the war. After late 1950s, due to the rapid growth of Japanese economy and technology, railway had changed and advanced significantly. In 1954, total length of National Railway reached 20,000 km. In 1956, Tokaido Line was all electrified from Tokyo to Kobe. In 1958, the first long distance EMU limited express eKodamaf was introduced in Tokaido line, and advancing that technology, Shinkansen high speed railways opened in 1964. New Limited express trains of EMUs and DMUs style extended to many cities instead of old steam line trains since 1960s. Until early 1960s, most railways except Tokaido and Sanyo route between Tokyo and Shimonoseki was single track and non-electrified and average speed of limited express was about 60 kilometers per hour, maximum speed was 100 km/h or less. In 1960s, they were quickly improved, and major routes become electrified and double tracked till the end of 1960s. In limited express trains of busiest routes, maximum speed was 120 km/h, and average speed was more than 80 km/h. Also limited express train was increased from one or a few trains a day in early 1960s to frequent, regular interval such as one service every hour in 1970s. Development of Road and Air, and Debt Problem of JNR Road and air traffic became popular through 1960s and 1970s, and National Railways had come to suffer from serious debt problem. Since late 1970s, National Railways raised train fare frequently, at one time it raised by 50 percent in 1976, and passengers turned to decrease. 4,000 kmfs inefficient rural railway of few passengers was decided to be abolished in 1980. National Railways gave up operation of those lines, about 1,500 km of them were changed to be managed by the third sector, municipal government and local companies, and other lines, many in Hokkaido, were abolished. There were railway lines still under construction, but many of the construction were stopped at that time considering the efficiency. Besides, many private local railways in country area has been abolished either because of development of road traffic since 1950s till now. Streetcars in many cities have been eliminated, and some cities introduced subway lines. JNR also tried to raise profitability by cutting inefficient services and many workers. Shinkansen and limited express services within three or four hours distance, urban services in large and middle cities were regarded efficient and improved, but other services such as long distance trains taking more than five hours and slower than air, overnight trains, local trains and most freight services were cut. Privatization of JNR to JR and Today's Railway Network In 1987, Japan National Railways were privatized to Japan Railways (JR), and divided into seven companies. It is six passengerfs rail companies divided by region and one freight company covering all over the Japan. In 1988, Seikan Channel Tunnel (53.9 km) and Seto Channel Bridge (consisted of six bridges and totally 9.4 km), historical big projects taking many years, were completed and four main islands in Japan were all connected by railway. Now there is not so large change in Japanese railway network. Some lines in rural area are abolished but not so many. Thanks to the profitability of JR companies, most country services seem to be maintained for the time being. There are not so many constructions of new railways. Some Shinkansen lines and urban railways, subways are being extended. |