N700A Series Shinkansen

The new-build sets are the N700-1000 series, branded "N700A" with the "A" standing for "Advanced"; JR Central's 16-car G sets are externally almost identical to the base N700 but carry an "A" logo, and JR West introduced its own new-build F sets from November 2013. The principal changes over the base N700 were a brake-disc bolt fastening changed from inner-circumference to central fastening (shortening braking distance), a bogie-vibration detection system, a constant-speed running device that uses ATC information, and an enlarged body-tilting range on curves of under 5,000 m radius. From April 2012 JR Central also launched a programme to retrofit its existing 80 N700 Z sets with some of these improvements, with JR West following for its 16 N sets; the modified sets were re-designated X and K sets and marked with a small "A" beside the bodyside "N700" logo.

The N700A fleet's expanded body-tilting capability enabled the Tokaido Shinkansen maximum to be raised to 285 km/h in 2015, up from the earlier 270 km/h ceiling; on the San'yo Shinkansen the type runs at up to 300 km/h. Together with the retrofitted N700 sets it is collectively marketed as the "N700A type" and forms the backbone of Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama services.

• 2011JR Central announces the N700A (N700-1000 series) in May as a replacement for ageing 700 series sets.
• 2012First N700A set unveiled on 21 August. JR Central (April) and JR West (December) announce programmes to retrofit existing N700 Z and N sets to N700A specification.
• 2013New-build N700A G sets enter revenue service on 8 February under JR Central; San'yo through-running begins with the 16 March timetable revision. Retrofit of N700 sets to X/K spec begins (first conversion Z65 to X65 in May), and JR West introduces new-build F sets (N700-4000) from November.
• 2015The N700A fleet's enlarged body-tilting range enables the Tokaido Shinkansen maximum speed to be raised to 285 km/h (from 270 km/h). JR Central's retrofit of its 80 Z sets to X sets is completed by August.
• 2016Conversion of all N700 sets to N700A specification is completed: JR West's N-to-K (5000 series) retrofit finishes by March.