About Us

History

1987

Apr 1 From Japanese National Railways to JR, founding of West Japan Railway Company


Inauguration of the West Japan Railway Company

1988

Mar 13 Introduction of nicknames for 9 sections in 8 track sections in Kansai urban area
Apr 10 Opening of the whole line of the Honshibisan Line (the track section between Okayama and Takamatsu Stations nicknamed the "Seto-ohashi Line")
Jun 28 1st Annual Shareholders Meeting
Oct 4 Establishment of company flag and company song "Heading for Tomorrow"


First Regular General Shareholders Meeting

1989

Jul 21 Start of "Twilight Express" operation

1990

Mar 10 Introduction of line colors to major lines in Kansai urban area (10 track sections)
Apr 1 Opening of the Hakataminami Line between Hakata and Hakataminami Stations
Aug 20 Start of use of ATS-P between Tennoji and Otori Stations

1991

May 14 Train collision accident on the Shigaraki Kogen Railway line
Oct 1 Purchase of the Sanyo Shinkansen facilities from Shinkansen Holding Corporation

1992

Mar 30 Start of use of new JR-West head office building

1993

Mar 18 Debut of "Nozomi" on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line

1994

Jun 15 Opening of the Kansai-airport Line
Sep 4 Opening of Kansai International Airport, Debut of Series 281 "Haruka" Kansai Airport Express

1995

Jan 17 The Great Hanshin/Awaji Earthquake (major damage to the Sanyo Shinkansen Line, the JR Kobe Line and so forth)
Apr 1 Reopening of the whole line of the JR Kobe Line for the first time in 74 days closed due to earthquake
Apr 8 Reopening of the whole line of the Sanyo Shinkansen for the first time in 81 days
Apr 28 Introduction of "UrEDAS", Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System


Earthquake recovery


Sanyo Shinkansen "UrEDAS" alarm system introduction ceremony

1996

Oct 8 Stocks listed on Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges
Oct 15 Stocks listed on Kyoto, Hiroshima and Fukuoka stock exchanges

1997

Mar 8 Opening of the JR Tozai Line
Introduction of "J-through" system on the JR Tozai Line and the Gakkentoshi Line
Jun 27 First Shareholders Meeting after being listed on the stock exchange
Sep 11 Grand opening of Kyoto Station Building

1998

Apr 28 Introduction of "Earthquake Early Warning System" on the conventional lines

1999

Feb 26 Introduction of "J-through" system in Kansai urban area
Mar 13 Debut of Series 700 "Nozomi"