In the division and privatization of JNR, it was decided that the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines should be operated by JR East, the Tokaido Shinkansen line by JR Tokai, and the Sanyo Shinkansen line by JR West.
国鉄の分割・民営化後、東北・上越新幹線は東日本旅客鉄道、東海道新幹線は東海旅客鉄道、山陽新幹線は西日本旅客鉄道の運営とされた。