Japan Railway companies were born in 1987, when Japanese National Railways was privatized, and then divided into 6 regional companies and Japan Freight Railway Company. Although Japan Rail was split into 6 companies, fares and regulations are standard for all companies and every region of Japan except Okinawa is covered by the railway network spanning approximately 12,400 miles.

Japan Rail Group opened overseas offices in New York and Paris in 1964 and 1965, respectively, to serve as representatives for the 6 Japan Rail companies and 4 companies in the group.

Operations consists mainly of information exchange with European and North American railways on high speed rail technology development and operation reform. The overseas offices also offer information to assist visitors to Japan and promote international exchange by participating in international travel conferences, exhibitions and seminars, in partnership with international bodies such as International Union of Railways (UIC).