First Rail Line Opens in Japan

July 12, 1865 saw the ceremonial start of construction for Japan's first railway, though full operations began later; the event highlighted the Meiji Restoration's embrace of Western technology. British engineer Edmund Morel oversaw the project using 3 ft 6 in gauge track and imported locomotives from the UK. The 29 km line from Yokohama to Shinbashi revolutionized transport in a nation previously reliant on foot, horse, and sea routes. It faced resistance from samurai but was championed by figures like Inoue Kaoru. The railway boosted trade, especially silk and tea exports, and symbolized Japan's rapid modernization. Its success paved the way for the nationwide network, influencing military logistics during the Boshin War and economic transformation into an industrial power.