Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp. has developed LED based lighting units for the first-class cars (green cars) of the “N700” series Shinkansen trains slated to start commercial operations in 2007. A total of 352 units, consisting of 200 reading lights, 68 window lights, 18 deck lights and 66 foot lights, will be installed in a train. The company claims this is the first time that LED lighting will be used on a Shinkansen train. The reading light is implanted in the backrest of the seat, making the most of the compactness and high brightness properties of LEDs yet discharging little heat. The window and foot lights use straight/curved line modules that are highly resistant to vibration. The deck light is used to light washstands.

The reading light fitted in a seat