East Japan Railway Company (JR East) plans to gradually upgrade the functions of the transportation IC card ‘Suica’ to transform it into a digital platform over the next decade.
By the fall of 2026, a new application ‘Suica App (tentative name)’ will be released, enabling code payment functionality. Around the spring of 2027, the current zones are planned to be integrated. The fiscal year 2028 aims to provide discounts and coupons tailored to users.
For example, a subscription product that offers a 50% discount at any station starting from the user’s nearest home station for a monthly payment of 3,000 yen, and the provision of railway coupons distributed on anniversaries or shopping, are planned.
Within the next 10 years, ‘central server management,’ where tickets and balances are managed by a central server rather than an IC card, is under consideration. This change will allow for new use cases, including location-based services and walk-through options, moving away from traditional gate touch-ins. Post-payments without the need for charging, linked in advance to credit cards or bank accounts, are also being considered.
Furthermore, by linking with My Number, Japan’s social security and tax number system, it will be possible to access local content within regions, regional discount products, services such as demand buses, as well as receive service vouchers, government subsidies, and use administrative services.
Starting from March 2025, the ‘Welcome Suica Mobile’ service for international users will be launched. By the fall of 2025, services such as Shinkansen e-tickets and express train ticketless services will be introduced, and by the spring of 2026, even ordinary train green cars will be available for use.
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