STANDARD SYSTEM
| Example: KiHa58 276 (KiHa58 class DMU) | |
| Ki - キ = Diesel multiple unit | |
| Ha ハ= Vehicle accommodation type (see table below) | |
| 58 = Class (see table below) | |
| 276 = Individual vehicle number |
| Vehicle accommodation | |
| Code (Japanese character) indicates the vehicle type. | |
| Ha - ハ | Standard class vehicle |
| Ro - ロ | Green class vehicle |
| Shi - シ | Catering vehicle |
| Class |
| First digit indicates transmission type and performance. |
| 0 | Diesel-mechanical or diesel-electric |
| 10 - 49 | Diesel-hydraulic (single-engine) |
| 50 - 59 | Diesel-hydraulic (twin-engine) |
| 60 - 79 | High horse-power engines |
| 80 - 89 | Limited-express types |
| 90 - 99 | Prototypes |
| Class |
| First digit | Second digit |
| 1: Lightweight vehicles | 0 - 7: 2-axle bogie vehicles |
| 2: Fixed formation vehicles | 8, 9: 3-axle bogie vehicles |
| 3 - 5: Regular vehicles | |
| 9: Special vehicles |
NEW SYSTEM
| Example: KiHa281-6 (KiHa281 class limited-express DMU) |
| Ki - キ = Diesel multiple unit |
| Ha = Vehicle accommodation type (see table below) |
| 281 = Class (see table below) |
| 6 = Individual vehicle number |
| Vehicle accommodation | |
| Code (Japanese character) indicates the vehicle type. | |
| Ha - ハ | Standard class vehicle |
| Ro - ロ | Green class vehicle |
| Class |
| First digit | Second digit |
| 1/2: Diesel | 0 - 2: Standard/commuter type |
| 3: Gas turbine | 5 - 7: Express type |
| 8: Limited-express type | |
| 9: Prototypes |
