Workaholics aboard: Japan bullet train to debut telework cars

Designated carriage to offer extra Wi-Fi capacity, chargers and encryption

Nozomi bullet trains in Japan will offer cushions and foldable partitions for riders' computers in their telework car. (Photo courtesy of Central Japan Railway)

Nikkei staff writers

August 27, 2021 07:17 JST

TOKYO -- As Japanese companies increasingly embrace flexible work arrangements during the pandemic, even an operator of bullet trains is having to accommodate passengers who choose to telework during the 2.5-hour trip between Tokyo and Osaka.

Nozomi shinkansen trains connecting the two megacities will have a designated "telework" car with double the Wi-Fi capacity of other carriages, starting in October, Central Japan Railway said Thursday.