Japanese Railway Company

Japan's first private railway company, which managed the Tohoku Main Line and Takasaki Line of the current East Japan Railway Company, was founded on November 5, 1881 (Meiji 14). In order to make up for the government's lack of funds for railway construction, it was established with capital of 20 million yen to promote railway construction through investment secured by aristocratic gold bonds, and the government subsidized interest and protected profits, and the government was responsible for construction and operation (later it became independent). In 1883, the Ueno-Kumagaya section was opened, and in 1884, Takasaki, and in 1885, Shinagawa-Shinjuku-Akabane were opened, proving the economic effect of railways by transporting raw silk to Yokohama. In 1891, the Ueno-Aomori section was fully opened, the Joban Line was constructed, and the Mito-Ryōmo Railway was merged, making it the central railway company in northeastern Japan. On November 1, 1906 (Meiji 39), it was nationalized under the Railway Nationalization Act.

[Harada Katsumasa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

現在の東日本旅客鉄道東北本線、高崎線などの経営にあたった日本最初の私設鉄道会社。1881年（明治14）11月5日創立。政府の鉄道建設資金の不足を補うため、華士族金禄(きんろく)公債担保の出資により鉄道建設を推進するため資本金2000万円で設立され、政府の利子補給・利益保護、政府による建設・運営の方式をとった（のち運営は自立）。83年上野―熊谷(くまがや)間開業、84年高崎まで、85年品川―新宿―赤羽間開業、生糸の横浜への輸送で鉄道の経済効果を実証した。91年上野―青森間全通をはじめ、常磐(じょうばん)線の建設、水戸・両毛鉄道の合併など東北日本の中心的な鉄道会社となった。1906年（明治39）11月1日鉄道国有法により国有化された。

［原田勝正］

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