Photo/Illutration Currently utilized automatic ticket gates are shown in Tokyo. East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) plans to introduce touchless walk-through gates within the next decade. (Takeshi Owada)

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced on Dec. 10 that it plans to introduce walk-through gates within the next decade, allowing passengers to pass through ticket barriers without tapping their IC cards.

Currently, passengers must press their Suica cards at automatic ticket gates to enter and exit stations.

Yoichi Kise, the president of JR East, said at a news conference that day that the company plans to accomplish the changeover by managing Mobile Suica location data on a central server.

The company also plans to link the IC cards to users’ credit cards or bank accounts, enabling a pay-after-use option that eliminates the need to preload balances.

The company is also planning a major update to the Mobile Suica app for around fall 2026, which will include increasing the current recharge limit from 20,000 yen ($132) and adding new features, such as the ability to send and receive electronic money between users.

JR East also aims to enhance regional services.

It plans to link Suica with My Number identification cards, enabling users to access demand-responsive buses, receive vouchers and benefits and use administrative services.

The company aims to enhance the IC card's features and expand the Suica economic zone as part of its growth strategy.

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