CENTRAL Japan Railway (JR Central) has announced plans to introduce semi-private seating on N700S high-speed trains operating on the Tokaido Shinkansen as a new premium class option for passengers.
Six seats will be installed alongside 48 Green Car or first class seats in car 10 of the train, replacing 20 Green Car seats. They will become available for passengers during the 2027 financial year.
The seats are intended as an upgrade on the existing Green Car product and will feature lockable doors between the aisle and the seats with large back shells that will offer users a high degree of privacy. The seats will recline, have leg rests and can be turned to face each other. Passengers will also have access to dedicated onboard Wi-Fi and luggage storage within the compartment.
JR Central says it has been exploring new seating arrangements for the Tokaido Shinkansen to meet the diverse needs of passengers, which have evolved due to changes in lifestyle and working habits. It says that details of which services will offer semi-private seating and fares for the new premium option will be announced shortly.
Last year JR Central announced that it is to introduce private compartments on its Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed trains. From 2026 onwards passengers will be able to book individual compartments that seat one person.
