The is a tilting DC

Direct current

Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...

 electric multiple unit

Electric multiple unit

An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...

 introduced in 1973 by Japanese National Railways

Japanese National Railways

, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...

 (JNR), and currently operated by West Japan Railway Company

West Japan Railway Company

, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 (JR West), and formerly also operated by Central Japan Railway Company

Central Japan Railway Company

The is the main railway company operating in the Chūbu region of central Japan. It is officially abbreviated in English as JR Central and in Japanese as . Its headquarters are located in the JR Central Towers in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.The company's operational hub is Nagoya Station...

 (JR Central) in Japan.

JR West

• Kuroshio
  Kuroshio (train)
  is a limited express train connecting Kyoto, Shin-Ōsaka, Tennōji, Wakayama, Kii-Tanabe, Shirahama, and Shingu via the Tōkaidō Main Line , Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, and Kisei Line , operated by West Japan Railway Company...
  
  /Super Kuroshio
• Yakumo
  Yakumo (train)
  The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by JR West which runs from Okayama to Matsue and Izumoshi....
  
  
• Kounotori
  Kounotori (train)
  The is a limited express train service operated by the West Japan Railway Company between and in Japan since 12 March 2011. It uses new 287 series electric multiple units in addition to existing 183 series EMUs, and replaces the previous Kitakinki services.The name means "stork", and was chosen...
  
  (until 31 May 2011)
• Hanwa Liner rapid service (until March 2011)
• Yamatoji Liner rapid service (until March 2011)

History

The 381 series EMU was developed from the experimental 591 series 3-car articulated tilting EMU tested from 1970.

The 381 series entered revenue service from 10 July 1973 on the Shinano

Shinano (train)

The , branded as is limited express train service in Japan operated by Central Japan Railway Company , which runs from and to via .-Route: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -History:...

limited express between Nagoya and Nagano.

Preserved examples

• KuHa 381-1: (built 1973 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya
• KuRo 381-11: (built 1974 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya