As the automation of city exchange equipment gains momentum, long distance telephone service also becomes firmly established. Major communications lines are constructed, including long distance cables and telephone relay stations. A comprehensive re-evaluation of facilities results in the adoption of common-battery intercity exchanges suitable for connection to both automated local exchange equipment and long-distance intercity facilities. The first No. 3 large-scale common-battery intercity exchange is installed in Kyoto in 1927. This first equipment is imported from the U.S. but later versions are manufactured in Japan and installed in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and principal cities throughout Japan as the process of modernization of intercity exchanges begins.

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