where it would connect with the planned extension of the Asa line from Kochi. The first 12 km section to Kaifu opened in 1973, and further construction undertaken until work was suspended in 1980. The Chūden to Komatsushima branch closed in 1985. In 1987, with the privatization of JNR, the line became part of the Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku). In 1988 construction work south of Kaifu was recommenced by a private company underwritten by the Tokushima Prefectural Government, and the next section opened in 1992 as the Asa Kaigan Railway Asato Line. Other significant dates April 1, 1988: Muroto express service renamed Asa November 3, 1990: Bunkanomori Station opens November 21, 1990: Track upgrade allowing speeds up to 110 km/h completed; Three round-trip Uzushio limited express trains begin operation; Asa express service abolished March 14, 1998: Tsurugisan limited express begins through operation onto the Mugi Line March 13, 1999: Portion of Uzushio limited express operation separated, renamed Muroto 1 November 2020: JR Shikoku transferred a section in between Kaifu Station and Awa-Kainan Station to Asa Seaside Railway. See also List of railway lines in Japan References This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia. External links JR Shikoku official website Mugi Line Rail transport in Tokushima Prefecture Railway lines opened in 1913 1067 mm gauge railways in Japan 1913 establishments in Japan