First electric multiple unit service in Japan

On September 18, 1908, the Japanese Government Railways launched electric multiple-unit operation on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Using 600 V DC overhead power, the new trains replaced steam locomotives in the dense urban corridor. This innovation reduced smoke pollution, increased frequency, and set the template for Japan's world-famous commuter rail systems. Engineers adapted British and American technology to local conditions, including tight curves around the Imperial Palace. The change helped Tokyo grow into a modern metropolis and influenced later Shinkansen development.