Transport of Japan

At acient times, during Taika era end the most prosperous times of Nara era (7-10th centuries), at the same time with creating ritsuryou system, eki system and local roads had being constructed and a network of post houses was created. The most famous acient roads are called “goki shichido”, these are: Kinai, Seikai, Nankai, Sanyo, Tokai, Tozan, Hikuriku roads.

 

In the Middle Ages (10-16th centuries), due to development of cities, the annual tribute and goods turnover had been increasing constantly, and the transport system got the impuls for the further development. In order to develop sea transport, ports has been constructed, cargo vessels had been producing. At the key points of transportation syogunates and daimyo had organized the customs.

 

During the Edo Period （1603-1868）, Edo became the center of Japan, and the new network of roads, started from Edo`s Nihonbashi, was created. These roads are Tokai, Nakasen, Koushukai, Oshukai and Nikko roads, also known as “Gokaido” roads. Economy growth forced rapid development of sea transport and canal construction.

 

Meiji period （1868-1912）. Japan wanted to be a modern country, and that ambition required a well developed transport network. Railway transport was the most proper choice to achieve this aim. First railway stations were created in Sinagawa, Yokohama, Nihionbashi. In the capital tramcar roads and metro were constructed, the roads were paved and equipped with gas lights. Although local roads also had been developing, at that period still a lot of local roads were not suitable for modern transport.

 

After World War II railway transported developed from steam trains through diesel trains to high speed electric trains.

 

In 1964, the year of Tokyo Olimpyc Games, Tomei Expressway and Tokai Shinkansen line were opened. Before that, in 1962, Shuto Expressway was opened, it became the first expressway inside the capital. In the second half of 1960-s rapid increasing of automobiles took place. Automobile became a common mean of transport, in 1971 year the quantity of passenger`s cars became more than 10 millions vehicles.

 

Main expressways: Tohoku expway, Central expway, Hanshin expway, Honshu-Shikoku United expway.
The high speed trains are called “Sinkansen”. The first line of this new kind of transport, which won competition with plane and bus passenger trasnport, was firstly opened in 1964.

 

Japan Railway

　In 1987 Japanese National Railway was divided and privatized by six passengers railway companies and one cargo railway company. Together they form JR Group. Since the first Japan railroad between Shinbashi and Yokohama was opened in 1872, Japanese National Railway was owned by 12 state corporations during 114 years. After privatizations the owners are: Hokkaido JR, East Japan JR, East Sea JR, West Japan JR, Shikoku JR, Kyushu JR and Cargo JR. There are companies cooperating with JR: Shinkasen Maintenance Company, Railway General Research Company, Railway Information Company, Railway Information Systems Company etc.

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