Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) announced on October 9 its plan to put a new Tokaido Shinkansen train into service starting in 2029. The announcement comes as the high-speed rail line connecting Tokyo with the Kansai region continues to be refined through successive generations of trains.
According to the announcement, the new model will build on and further develop the current Shinkansen generations, with the aim of improving operational efficiency and service quality on the Tokaido line — the busiest Shinkansen route in Japan.
JR Central has not disclosed details about the design, speed or configuration of the new train, but the 2029 service date indicates the company is preparing for a phase of replacing its current fleet. Previous generations of Tokaido Shinkansen trains were introduced in 1964, 1986, 1992, 1999 and 2007.
The news comes as Japan's high-speed rail industry prepares for major changes in technology and operations over the coming decade.
