JR East Explores Footstep Power Generation At Tokyo Station

Japan, September 2026 — East Japan Railway Company (JR East) conducted a series of trials at Tokyo Station using piezoelectric elements installed beneath floor surfaces around busy ticket gates. The technology converts pressure and vibration generated by passengers’ footsteps into electrical energy.

The first trial was conducted at the Marunouchi North Exit between October and December 2006 across approximately six square metres. JR East subsequently expanded the system to around 90 square metres at the Yaesu North Exit in 2008, targeting electricity generation that could eventually contribute to powering ticket gates and electronic displays.

The system used piezoelectric ceramic elements that generate an electrical charge when mechanically deformed. During the third trial in 2008–09, JR East reported generation of approximately 4.3 watt-seconds per passenger crossing the equipped area, while improvements to the system helped maintain around 95% of its initial generating capability after three weeks.

Durability was a significant engineering challenge. During the initial trial, electricity output began declining after roughly 800,000 passenger crossings as the components experienced wear. JR East subsequently introduced structural supports, protective materials, denser element placement and improvements to the energy-storage system.

Although footstep generation produces relatively small amounts of electricity compared with conventional renewable technologies, the concept demonstrates how heavily used railway stations can become platforms for experimental energy systems. For operators, such technologies could potentially support low-power applications such as sensors, displays and monitoring equipment while engaging passengers with visible sustainability initiatives.

Source: Space Daily