"We're setting our sights on the world," says Mr Masaki Ogata, JR East's vice chairman for overseas affairs. "The organisation will pull together all of Japan's railway businesses."
 
The new company is similar to Systra, France, which is part-owned by French National Railways (SNCF) and French Railway Network (RFF) and reported sales of more than €250m last year. Systra has assisted French railway companies, including Alstom, to win contracts in more than 150 countries since it was formed in 1957.
 
JR East has already allied with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and other Japanese companies in announcing its interest in participating in the California high-speed project. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi announced earlier this month that they are considering merging their rail businesses.