JR East to roll out smartphone-based ticket gates at 40 stations

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced plans to deploy walk-through ticket gates at 40 stations across its network by 2028, enabling passengers to enter without physical tickets or cards. The new gates will operate using the Mobile Suica electronic payment application on smartphones, streamlining the ticketing process for commuters and visitors. The initiative represents a significant shift towards digitalisation of Japan's rail infrastructure and passenger convenience. JR East has not disclosed which stations will receive the new technology or provided additional details on the implementation timeline. The move aligns with broader industry trends across Asia to reduce reliance on physical tickets and expedite passenger flows during peak hours.