N700A Series Shinkansen

JR Central's new-build sets are the N700-1000 series, branded "N700A" with the "A" standing for "Advanced"; its 16-car G sets are externally almost identical to the base N700 but carry an "A" logo, and JR West took delivery of its own new-build 16-car F sets (N700-4000 series) from November 2013. The principal changes over the base N700 were a switch in the bolt fastening of the brake discs on the caliper-type wheel-disc brakes from inner-circumference to central fastening (shortening braking distance by 20% compared with the 700 series and 10% compared with the N700), 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, which raised the operating speed on curves of 3,000 to 4,500 m radius to 285 km/h. In April 2012 JR Central also announced a programme to retrofit its existing 80 N700 Z sets with some of these improvements, with JR West following in December 2012 for its 16 N sets; the modified sets were re-designated X sets (N700-2000 series) and K sets (N700-5000 series) and marked with a small "A" beside the bodyside "N700" logo. The conversions began in fiscal 2013, the first (Z65 to X65) in May 2013, and were completed by August 2015 for JR Central and by March 2016 for JR West.

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 known 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 with some N700A improvements.
• 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 takes delivery of 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 Z and N sets to X and K sets is completed: JR West's N-to-K (5000 series) retrofit finishes by March.