knowledge Overview
West Japan Railway Company (JR West) was founded in the 1987 JNR privatization, covering Kansai, Hokuriku and Chugoku from its Osaka head office.
History
- April 1, 1987: Founded.
- 1972-1975: The Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka-Okayama-Hakata) opened under JNR.
- 2015: Took over services toward Tsuruga with the Hokuriku Shinkansen's Kanazawa extension.
- March 16, 2024: The Kanazawa-Tsuruga section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened, through-running with JR East.
Business
Urban transport in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area (JR Kyoto and Kobe lines, the Osaka Loop Line) and the Sanyo Shinkansen are the pillars. The ICOCA IC card was introduced; real estate and retail are active businesses. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen it covers Joetsu-Myoko to Tsuruga.