The rail system of Japan consists of the following (as of 2005)[8]:

* 20,264 km (12,591 mi) of 1,067 mm (42.0 in) Cape gauge, of which 13,280 kilometres (8,250 mi) is electrified;
* 3,204 km (1,991 mi) of 1,435 mm (56.5 in) standard gauge, all electrified;
* 117 km (73 mi) of 1,372 mm (54.0 in) Scotch gauge, all electrified;
* 11 km (6.8 mi) of 762 mm (30.0 in) narrow gauge, all electrified.

The national railway network was started and has been expanded with the narrow 1,067 mm gauge. Railways with broader gauge are limited to those built not intending to provide through freight and passenger transport with the existing national network. Shinkansen uses the standard gauge.