Come April, Tokyo's Yamanote Line will be kinder to English-speaking foreign passengers.
East Japan Railway Co. said it will introduce new model trains featuring an automatic announcement system that provides information not only in Japanese but also in English.
By 2005, all 572 coaches on the JR Yamanote Line will be replaced with English-speaking cars.
The new train will have a wider body than the current trains, providing extra standing room for eight passengers in each coach.
The basic structure of the new train is the same as those running on the JR Tohoku and Takasaki lines, according to JR East officials.
Passengers, however, are less likely to get a seat.
JR East currently provides special coaches with additional doors but fewer seats. But the company now plans to add two more of the coaches to increase overall passenger capacity.