Overview

• The four JR operators announced the linkage at a joint briefing on September 19, committing to connect their separate online reservation platforms.
• JR Central’s EX and JR West’s e5489 will interconnect in fiscal 2026, with JR East’s Ekinet and JR Kyushu’s service joining from fiscal 2027.
• Passengers will book cross-company Shinkansen and limited express trips with one login via shared member information, although separate registrations with each service will still be required.
• For example, a traveler booking Shin-Osaka–Tokyo on the Tokaido Shinkansen and Tokyo–Sendai on the Tohoku Shinkansen will be able to reserve both legs after logging in to either site.
• The companies say the move targets greater convenience and faster adoption of ticketless travel, while full site or app integration remains a longer-term consideration.