Japanese National Railways (JNR)

Japanese National Railways (JNR) was the state-owned railway operator in Japan from 1949 until its privatization in 1987. It was responsible for operating the majority of rail services across the country, including conventional and high-speed Shinkansen trains. JNR played a crucial role in Japan's post-war economic recovery and modernization of transportation. However, it faced financial struggles due to mismanagement and declining ridership. Its privatization led to the creation of several regional companies, known as JR Group, transforming Japan's rail system into a more efficient and competitive network, renowned for its punctuality and service quality.