The development of the Deisel Multiple Units (DMU's) in Japan started in the 1950's following the improvement of fuel supply that was critical during WWII In 1953, the Japanese National Railway put the hydraulic torque converter into practical use, facilitating the development of thr DMU's, which spread all over the nation not only on local services but also on long distance express services

Presently, all the passenger railway companies of Japan Railways Group operate DMU's on semi-trunk and local lines while almost all of the trunk lons have been electrifies. There are also a number of independant railway lines that operate DMU's