[JR Central] Execution of basic agreement on joint study of AI Edge Data Center utilizing Tokaido Shinkansen network
JR Central, Preferred Networks, and Actia have signed a basic agreement to jointly study the construction of a distributed AI infrastructure by setting up AI edge data centers along the Tokaido Shinkansen.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 00:01
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 08:12 (585h 16m after Collected)
Central Japan Railway Company (hereinafter "JR Central"), Preferred Networks, Inc. (hereinafter "PFN"), and Actia Inc. (hereinafter "Actia") have signed a basic agreement to conduct a joint study toward the construction of a distributed AI infrastructure by installing AI Edge Data Centers (*1) (hereinafter "AI Edge DCs") within the JR Central business area.
In recent years, the utilization of AI has rapidly expanded in various fields, and the importance of AI Edge DCs, which have lower latency compared to general cloud services, is increasing to process big data in real-time.
In this initiative, we will study the construction of a domestic distributed AI infrastructure by combining the idle land and networks along the Tokaido Shinkansen owned by the JR Central Group, the domestic AI semiconductor "MN-Core series (*2)" and AI-related technologies developed by PFN, and the know-how related to service planning, development, and operation possessed by Actia.
Through this, we aim to contribute to improving the value of communities along the railway lines utilizing AI, such as autonomous driving and smart city development around stations, and smart factory (*4) development utilizing physical AI (*3) in industrial areas.
1. Date of Agreement
March 30, 2026
2. Details
(1) Study on the feasibility of establishing and the operational model of AI Edge DCs along the JR Central business area, etc.
(2) Study on the design and construction of AI Edge DCs (container type/module type *5)
(3) Study of business models for social implementation and sorting out related systems and regulations
3. Comments from Each Company
■ Akihiko Nakamura, Representative Director and Executive Vice President, Central Japan Railway Company
AI technology has become an important foundation supporting the advancement of social infrastructure and industries, and the development of AI infrastructure with low latency and excellent security performance is essential to exert its power safely and efficiently. The JR Central Group, by utilizing the infrastructure operation capabilities cultivated in railway operations and roadside development along with regional cooperation, aims to contribute to improving the value of local communities along the railway lines by considering the construction of a safe and reliable distributed AI infrastructure with partner companies.
■ ...
In recent years, the utilization of AI has rapidly expanded in various fields, and the importance of AI Edge DCs, which have lower latency compared to general cloud services, is increasing to process big data in real-time.
In this initiative, we will study the construction of a domestic distributed AI infrastructure by combining the idle land and networks along the Tokaido Shinkansen owned by the JR Central Group, the domestic AI semiconductor "MN-Core series (*2)" and AI-related technologies developed by PFN, and the know-how related to service planning, development, and operation possessed by Actia.
Through this, we aim to contribute to improving the value of communities along the railway lines utilizing AI, such as autonomous driving and smart city development around stations, and smart factory (*4) development utilizing physical AI (*3) in industrial areas.
1. Date of Agreement
March 30, 2026
2. Details
(1) Study on the feasibility of establishing and the operational model of AI Edge DCs along the JR Central business area, etc.
(2) Study on the design and construction of AI Edge DCs (container type/module type *5)
(3) Study of business models for social implementation and sorting out related systems and regulations
3. Comments from Each Company
■ Akihiko Nakamura, Representative Director and Executive Vice President, Central Japan Railway Company
AI technology has become an important foundation supporting the advancement of social infrastructure and industries, and the development of AI infrastructure with low latency and excellent security performance is essential to exert its power safely and efficiently. The JR Central Group, by utilizing the infrastructure operation capabilities cultivated in railway operations and roadside development along with regional cooperation, aims to contribute to improving the value of local communities along the railway lines by considering the construction of a safe and reliable distributed AI infrastructure with partner companies.
■ ...