Society

JR to offer free Wi-Fi on all bullet train lines

Jun 25 (NHK) - Japan Railway companies plan to begin offering free Wi-Fi on all Shinkansen lines during the current fiscal year that ends in March.

Despite strong demand from foreign visitors, only a limited number of bullet trains have wireless Internet access at present.

The new service will be available on all trains running on the Akita Shinkansen line by next May, the Hokuriku Shinkansen line by next September, and the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Yamagata Shinkansen lines by March 2020.

The railway companies will also offer free Wi-Fi on more trains on the Hokkaido, Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines.

An American man visiting Tokyo station said it will be great if bullet trains have Internet access, as he will be able to keep in touch with his family while he is traveling.

Yu Sunagawa of East Japan Railway Company says his firm will do its best to provide a convenient service because many tourists want to use their smartphones on the Shinkansen.

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