During the Meiji period, Japan had to expand the transportation network connecting Maizuru Port in preparation for the Russo-Japanese War, which started the development of its railroads early on.
明治時代になると日本は日露戦争を控え、日本海の軍港舞鶴港へつなぐ交通網の普及の必要から比較的早くから鉄道の整備がされた。