Share Source: Nikkei Asia
Shinkansen trains will soon have individual workstations for quiet and uninterrupted remote work. The offer may interest IT professionals, managers and other passengers who can afford the service.
Main theses:
- The emergence of remote work offices on the Tokaido line in Japan will open up new opportunities for IT professionals, managers, and other passengers.
- Special offices will include Personalized Sound Zone noise-canceling technology for comfortable work without the use of headphones.
You can work in the office on Japanese trains
The recently introduced Shinkansen bullet trains will receive several exclusive private offices over the next few months. They will include high-tech services to improve remote working and internet productivity.
The cabins will be available in October on the N700S trains operated by JR Central on the Tokaido Line. The Shinkansen trains connect Tokyo with Shin-Osaka Station. The N700S series has been in service since 2020 and offers an operating speed of 300 km/h with a top speed of 363 km/h.
The rooms will be equipped with Personalized Sound Zone noise-cancelling technology. Developed by mobile operator NTT Docomo, PSZ devices are built directly into the headrests and do not require physical headphones. The technology creates a localized audio field around the listener's ears and is designed for people who do not want to wear a headset for long periods of time.
Office in a Japanese train
Another advantage will be the 5G antenna, developed by Asahi Glass Co., built directly into the window glass. The fine mesh structure will not interfere with the view from the window. The 5G modems are connected via a direct wired connection to the onboard Wi-Fi. The system will significantly reduce the delays associated with traditional wireless connections on Shinkansen trains.
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JR Central says the initial rollout will include just two individual cabins on each train, with six N700S trains set to be equipped with the new equipment by the end of fiscal 2026. The number of cabins on trains and the number of trains that have them are expected to increase in the coming years.