The “Kikan Kahen Densha” was developed to face the problem of the two rail gauges in Japan, with its standard gauge network for high speed services and its Cape gauge network for regular trains. The solution were bogies with a variable gauge that could be changed by slowly running trough a gauge changer facility. So the train would be able to operate on Shinkansen lines at up to 300 km/h, but also use regular lines at speeds up to 130 km/h. Over the years, Kawasaki, Kinki Sharyō and Tokyu Car built three trainsets for testing purposes.

The first set was completed in 1998 and consisted of three cars, all of which had traction motors on all axles. Between 1999 and 2001, it conducted endurance tests in the USA where it ran 600,000 km while changing its gauge for 2,000 times. After that it was tested in Japan, while the second set was built based on the experiences of the first one. The second one that was completed in 2006 was based on the Shinkansen E3. Here, only the second car had a tilting mechanism. While in trial service, it received lighter bogies in 2011.

The third and final set was completed in 2014 and consisted of four cars. Testing of this train was halted in 2017 after damage in the bogies became evident. Due to concerns about high maintenance costs and safety, the program was halted. Other countries have successfully introduced variable-gauge trains, most notably between standard gauge on the one hand and either Iberian or Russian broad gauge on the other hand. There the gap between both gauges in smaller and both have a similar loading gauge.