First in the Railway Industry! Facilitating Smooth Two-way Communication via Sign Language: Odakyu Line to Introduce 'Shuwa Link' at 16 Stations on April 16
Odakyu Electric Railway will introduce 'Shuwa Link', a sign language interpretation service, at 16 stations and on its website starting April 16, 2026. This industry-first initiative enables smooth communication between staff and customers with hearing or speaking difficulties.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 20:45 (148h 10m after Collected)
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeru Suzuki) will introduce "Shuwa Link" (Sign Language Link), provided by the Nippon Foundation Telecommunication Relay Service, at 16 Odakyu Line stations and its website inquiry desk on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to facilitate smooth communication with customers who have difficulty hearing or speaking. The stations selected for this introduction are equipped with facilities such as cameras and remotely operable station equipment, allowing staff at a distance to guide customers while checking their situation. Based on usage status, the number of stations with this service will be gradually expanded. This is the first initiative of its kind in the railway industry.
Previously, communication between station staff and customers with hearing or speaking difficulties has primarily been through written communication, and there have been many requests for sign language support. The newly introduced "Shuwa Link" is a service where our remote staff can guide customers in need via a sign language interpretation operator on a smartphone screen. This makes it possible to provide more accurate and smooth guidance in response to customers' questions and requests.
When using the service at participating stations, customers simply scan the Shuwa Link 2D code displayed near the ticket gates with their smartphones to connect to a sign language interpretation operator. No prior registration or complicated operations are required, and it can be used with only the cost of internet communication. We hope customers will feel free to use it for inquiries ranging from purchasing tickets and fare adjustments to situations requiring prompt attention, such as when feeling unwell.
Additionally, while our company website currently has a chatbot inquiry system in place, "Shuwa Link" will also be accessible from the same page, enabling sign language inquiries from home or on the go.
Aiming to be a "railway where everyone can travel with peace of mind," our company has been working to improve accessibility by developing barrier-free facilities and enhancing the support system provided by staff. We will continue to aim for services that further align with customer needs by utilizing digital technology and collaborating with external organizations.
Details of the "Shuwa Link" introduction are as follows.
Details
1. Introduction Date
Thursday, April 16, 2026
2. Service
(1) Service Name: Telecommunication Relay Service "Shuwa Link"
(2) Provider: The Nippon Foundation Telecommunication Relay Service
(3) Service Overview: A service that allows immediate two-way connection over the phone by having a sign language interpretation operator translate between "sign language" and "voice" for conversations between people with hearing or speaking difficulties and those without.
(4) Official Website: https://www.nftrs.or.jp/news/fy2025/im20250411
3. How to Use
(1) Access "Shuwa Link" from the 2D code displayed at the station or the banner on our website.
(2) The video call function activates, enabling two-way communication with our guidance staff via sign language through a sign language interpretation operator.
*You may have to wait a moment until the sign language interpretation operator connects you to our staff.
*Inquiries accessed via the 2D code at the station are limited to guidance on using the Odakyu Line.
*No prior registration is required.
*Reception hours are as follows:
Inquiries from the 2D code at the station: First train to last train
Inquiries from our website: 9:00 - 16:50
4. Fee
Free (Customers are responsible only for internet communication fees)
5. Introduction Locations
(1) Stations
Minami-Shinjuku, Umegaoka, Yurigaoka, Satsukidai, Kurokawa, Haruhino, Karakida, Tamagawagakuen-mae, Kaisei, Kayama, Tomizu, Hotaruda, Ashigara, Higashi-Rinkan, Minami-Rinkan, Hon-Kugenuma (Total 16 stations)
*The 2D code for using "Shuwa Link" is scheduled to be installed near the ticket gates.
*Writing instruments will continue to be deployed at all stations as before.
(2) Our Website
Customer Center Link -> https://www.odakyu.jp/help/
Select the banner displaying the Shuwa Link logo.
Previously, communication between station staff and customers with hearing or speaking difficulties has primarily been through written communication, and there have been many requests for sign language support. The newly introduced "Shuwa Link" is a service where our remote staff can guide customers in need via a sign language interpretation operator on a smartphone screen. This makes it possible to provide more accurate and smooth guidance in response to customers' questions and requests.
When using the service at participating stations, customers simply scan the Shuwa Link 2D code displayed near the ticket gates with their smartphones to connect to a sign language interpretation operator. No prior registration or complicated operations are required, and it can be used with only the cost of internet communication. We hope customers will feel free to use it for inquiries ranging from purchasing tickets and fare adjustments to situations requiring prompt attention, such as when feeling unwell.
Additionally, while our company website currently has a chatbot inquiry system in place, "Shuwa Link" will also be accessible from the same page, enabling sign language inquiries from home or on the go.
Aiming to be a "railway where everyone can travel with peace of mind," our company has been working to improve accessibility by developing barrier-free facilities and enhancing the support system provided by staff. We will continue to aim for services that further align with customer needs by utilizing digital technology and collaborating with external organizations.
Details of the "Shuwa Link" introduction are as follows.
Details
1. Introduction Date
Thursday, April 16, 2026
2. Service
(1) Service Name: Telecommunication Relay Service "Shuwa Link"
(2) Provider: The Nippon Foundation Telecommunication Relay Service
(3) Service Overview: A service that allows immediate two-way connection over the phone by having a sign language interpretation operator translate between "sign language" and "voice" for conversations between people with hearing or speaking difficulties and those without.
(4) Official Website: https://www.nftrs.or.jp/news/fy2025/im20250411
3. How to Use
(1) Access "Shuwa Link" from the 2D code displayed at the station or the banner on our website.
(2) The video call function activates, enabling two-way communication with our guidance staff via sign language through a sign language interpretation operator.
*You may have to wait a moment until the sign language interpretation operator connects you to our staff.
*Inquiries accessed via the 2D code at the station are limited to guidance on using the Odakyu Line.
*No prior registration is required.
*Reception hours are as follows:
Inquiries from the 2D code at the station: First train to last train
Inquiries from our website: 9:00 - 16:50
4. Fee
Free (Customers are responsible only for internet communication fees)
5. Introduction Locations
(1) Stations
Minami-Shinjuku, Umegaoka, Yurigaoka, Satsukidai, Kurokawa, Haruhino, Karakida, Tamagawagakuen-mae, Kaisei, Kayama, Tomizu, Hotaruda, Ashigara, Higashi-Rinkan, Minami-Rinkan, Hon-Kugenuma (Total 16 stations)
*The 2D code for using "Shuwa Link" is scheduled to be installed near the ticket gates.
*Writing instruments will continue to be deployed at all stations as before.
(2) Our Website
Customer Center Link -> https://www.odakyu.jp/help/
Select the banner displaying the Shuwa Link logo.