Mixed Freight Consist, Japan, Modern

History: Japan Freight Railway Company (日本貨物鉄道株式会社, Nippon Kamotsu Tetsudō Kabushiki-gaisha), or JR Freight (JR貨物, Jeiāru Kamotsu), is one of the seven constituent companies of Japan Railways Group (JR Group). It provides transportation of cargo nationwide throughout Japan.

When JNR was privatized in April 1987, it was split into six JR passenger railways and one rail freight carrier, JR Freight. Each passenger railway serves a specific region, but JR Freight offers services throughout Japan. This is because the policymakers felt that rail freight would be more efficient if one company had access to the entire national railway network.

JR Freight is capitalized at ¥19 billion, and operates on about 96,000 km of track that comprises the network covering most of Japan. The track used for freight services is divided into 86 track sectors. JR Freight transports freight in containers and in tankers and hopper wagons for bulky freight, such as petroleum, cement, and paper. The company is also trying to increase its revenues in related sectors—for example, by letting space in its freight stations to companies that need shipping facilities, storage space and sorting facilities. It is also involved in operation of convenience stores and other commercial business.

Railroad/Company: This set of items is comprised of more than one name. Please look at the component items for details on the specific roadnames and/or manufacturers.