E8 Series Shinkansen

E8 Series Shinkansen
Set G1 in March 2024
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, J-TREC, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing
Designer(s)	Ken Okuyama
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Family name	Mini-Shinkansen
Constructed	2022 – 2025
Number built	105 cars (15 sets)
Dimensions	23,075 mm × 2,945 mm × 3,650 mm
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20/25 kV AC (50/60 Hz)
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Traction system model	Hitachi CI30A
Service information
In service	16 March 2024 – Present
Formation	7 cars per set
Number in service	91 cars (13 sets)
Fleet numbers	G1 – G15

The E8 Series Shinkansen is a Japanese high-speed electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company since March 2024.

History

The first details of the E8 Series were unveiled by JR East on 3 March 2020, these are intended to replace the E3 Series Shinkansen trains currently plying the Tsubasa services on the Yamagata Shinkansen. The trains will be constructed by Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, Hitachi and J-TREC; the first set was completed by September 2022 and arrived at Sendai in January 2023; testing commenced in February 2023. The trains entered service on 16 March 2024, with G1, G2 and G3 used for the initial Tsubasa services pulled by the series.

Identification

Externally, the E8 Series Shinkansen has a streamlined body shape reminiscent of the E5 and E6 Series Shinkansen. The train was designed by famed automotive designer Ken Okuyama. The color scheme is unchanged from that of the reliveried E3 Series.

The color schemes of the interior of the normal cars is inspired by the Mogami River covered by the greenery of Mount Gassan, while the color schemes of the Green car draws from the process of extracting the colors of the safflower, the prefectural flower of Yamagata.

Specifications

The bodies of the sets are constructed of an aluminum alloy. The trains' traction motors are IGBT variable frequency drives manufactured by Hitachi. They are stated to be capable of 300 km/h (186 mph) and the trains are equipped with active suspension.

Incidents

Four E8 Series Shinkansen sets experienced malfunctions with their auxiliary power units. Set G11 was undergoing a test run on 17 June 2025 between Ueno and Morioka Stations on the Tōhoku Shinkansen when its auxiliary power unit failed and leading to impaired cooling of the train's traction motors; to prevent overheating, G11's safety systems kicked in and brought the train to a stop between Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara Stations. This forced two northbound services following immediately behind (Hayabusa 17 operated by E5 Series Shinkansen set U2, Yamabiko 57 operated by an E5 Series Shinkansen set) to also stop between those stations, stranding over 1,000 passengers combined. Operations were significantly delayed in both directions until 5 pm JST. E2 Series Shinkansen set J70 on a Nasuno 274 service was used to rescue stranded passengers on U2.

On the same day, three other sets also experienced problems with their power units; G10 was undergoing a test run and stopped at Kōriyama Station, G9 was stopped for inspections at Sasakino Station after a fault was indicated on its instrument panel, with the train subsequently returning to service, and G8 encountered a malfunction and stopped at Oyama Station. JR East has stated until a cause has been discovered, E8 Series Shinkansen sets would not run on their own and would have to be coupled to another train; observers pointed to semiconductor issues as a potential cause. JR East concluded its investigation on 22 July 2025, announcing that the failures were due to higher amounts of current flowing through the semiconductor elements along with an increase in ambient temperature resulting in a malfunction of protection elements in the control circuits and leading to the trains ultimately malfunctioning. E8 Series Shinkansen sets would resume standalone operation on 1 August 2025.

Gallery

G1 connected to an E5 Series Shinkansen set

G1 in February 2023

Artist's impression