Conclusion of Basic Agreement on Joint Study of AI Edge Data Centers Leveraging the Tokaido Shinkansen Network
March 30, 2026
AQTIA Inc.
Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central)
Preferred Networks, Inc.
Central Japan Railway Company (hereinafter JR Central), Preferred Networks, Inc. (hereinafter PFN), and AQTIA Corporation (hereinafter AQTIA) have concluded a basic agreement to jointly study the construction of distributed AI infrastructure by installing AI edge data centers*1 (hereinafter AI Edge DCs) in JR Central’s business area.
In recent years, the use of AI has been rapidly expanding across diverse fields. In order to process big data in real time, the importance of AI Edge DCs, which offer low latency compared to conventional cloud services, is growing.
In this initiative, the JR Central Group’s idle land and network along the Tokaido Shinkansen line, PFN’s domestically developed AI semiconductor “MN-Core Series*2” and AI-related technologies, and AQTIA’s expertise in service planning, development, and operations will be combined to study the construction of domestically produced distributed AI infrastructure.
Through this, the initiative aims to contribute to enhancing the value of communities along the line by leveraging AI, including autonomous driving and smart city development near stations, and smart factory*4 transformation utilizing Physical AI*3 in industrial zones.
1. Date of Agreement
March 30, 2026
2. Scope
(1) Study of the feasibility of installing AI Edge DCs and operational models along JR Central’s business area
(2) Study of AI Edge DC (container-type/modular-type*5) design and construction
(3) Study of business models for social implementation and review of related systems
3. Comments from Each Company
Central Japan Railway Company, Representative Director and Executive Vice President, Akihiko Nakamura
AI technology has become a critical foundation supporting the advancement of social infrastructure and industry. To harness its power safely and efficiently, the development of AI infrastructure with low latency and excellent security performance is essential. The JR Central Group, leveraging its infrastructure operational capabilities and regional collaboration strengths cultivated through railway operations and development along the line, aims, together with partner companies, to contribute to enhancing the value of communities along the line by studying the construction of safe and reliable distributed AI infrastructure.
Preferred Networks, Inc., Representative Director and President, Daisuke Okanohara
As generative AI and Physical AI enter a full-scale adoption phase, AI Edge DCs as low-latency and robust distributed AI platforms will become increasingly important. We believe that studying the construction of AI Edge DCs in close proximity to AI usage sites along the Tokaido Shinkansen line—where industrial zones and cities that support Japan’s economy and industry are concentrated—can contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Japan’s economy and industry while enhancing the value of communities along the line. We hope this initiative will provide a foundation for realistically and swiftly advancing AI implementation at industrial sites
AQTIA Inc., Representative Director and President, Yukio Kitano
For Physical AI that operates autonomously in the real world, real-time responsiveness is key to achieving both high safety and productivity. While the Tokaido area is home to Japan’s leading industrial and urban functions, it remains a blank zone for inference infrastructure far from large-scale data centers. In this initiative, by combining flexibly deployable AI Edge DCs with our expertise to implement proximity-based infrastructure for social use, we aim to contribute to enhancing the value of communities along the line and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
(Reference) Glossary
*1: Edge Data Center
A small-scale distributed data center placed near users and equipment that processes data on-site at high speed. By reducing communication latency compared to conventional cloud services, it enables highly efficient AI processing, IoT services, and real-time control.
*2: MN-Core Series
A domestically developed AI semiconductor by PFN. The first generation achieved the world’s No. 1 ranking three times in supercomputer energy efficiency. The MN-Core L1000 for generative AI is scheduled for release in 2027.
*3: Physical AI
A next-generation technology that integrates AI and robotics to autonomously perceive, judge, and act in the real world. It enables advanced automation of on-site operations.
*4: Smart Factory
A highly automated factory that connects equipment and production processes within a plant using digital technology, utilizing AI, IoT, robotics, and other technologies to achieve improved productivity, quality, and energy efficiency.
*5: Container-Type Data Center / Modular-Type Data Center A data center that houses servers, power supplies, and other equipment in small units (modules) such as containers or buildings. Compared to conventional data centers, they can be built in a shorter time and at lower cost, and are easy to expand or relocate.
[Contact Information]
Central Japan Railway Company（JR Central）
Public Relations Dept. koho.houdou@jr-central.co.jp
Business Promotion Division jisui.corporate@jr-central.co.jp
Preferred Networks, Inc.
Public Relations pfn-pr@preferred.jp
AQTIA Inc.
Public Relations info@aqtia.co.jp