First electric multiple unit service in Japan

May 31, 1906 saw the inauguration of electric multiple-unit trains on the Tokyo Railway between Shinbashi and Shinagawa. This marked Japan's entry into electrified urban rail, using imported equipment adapted for local needs amid rapid modernization following the Meiji Restoration. The service alleviated congestion on horse-drawn and steam lines, setting standards for future subway and commuter networks. Key figures included engineers from the Japanese Ministry of Railways who adapted Westinghouse technology, influencing the later development of the extensive Shinkansen system.