As direct intercity dialing becomes more widespread and more areas can be accessed by area codes beginning with "0" demand grows for a new type of public telephone that will allow nationwide direct dialing. A prototype large-size red telephone with these capabilities is installed in Tokyo Station in 1965, and becomes fully operational in June 1966. The new telephone set has a lower profile than the previous public "red phone" and has a gold band with the label "For Direct Long-Distance Calls."

---