'Driverless' bullet trains to debut at Japan's JR East in 2030s

Rollout of mostly automated operation to start on Tokyo-Niigata line

20230509N Shinkansen

East Japan Railway aims to automate some of its bullet trains in the coming years. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- East Japan Railway will introduce largely automated bullet trains in the mid-2030s under plans announced Tuesday, a labor-saving measure that would be a first for the company.

JR East aims to achieve Grade of Automation 3 (GoA3) -- a level at which the train can drive itself, with a human handling the doors and taking over in emergencies.

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