Japanese National Railways (JNR) was the state-owned railway company in Japan, operating from 1949 until its privatization in 1987. It managed a vast network of trains, including local, express, and long-distance services, connecting cities and regions across the country. JNR played a crucial role in Japan's post-war economic growth and modernization. In 1987, JNR was divided into several regional companies, known as Japan Railways Group (JR Group), which continue to operate the rail services today. The privatization aimed to improve efficiency and service quality, leading to the development of high-speed trains like the Shinkansen, which revolutionized rail travel in Japan.