2 passes at the same time?

Hi, is it possible to use 2 different regional passes at the same time ? 7 days JR West All Area and 3 days JR Kyushu ?

Yes. Some passes have a policy that you can't use two of them with overlapping dates. But in case of two different passes, there are no such restrictions.

With upgrades to the pass system over the past four years, overlapping passes of the same type are not permitted. But different passes at the same time is allowed.

That’s great. Thank you.

Why would one even have 2 passes of the same type overlapping? Just wondering. Why is there a need to prohibit this, if it is non-sensical.

You might buy a 7-day pass, but actually use it for 5 or 6 days, and then use another pass covering another region for 3 days.

Why would one even have 2 passes of the same type overlapping? Just wondering. Why is there a need to prohibit this, if it is non-sensical.

I read somewhere that the rule is to prevent fraud. Eg, a "short-term visitor" might want to buy a second pass for a friend or family member who's on a student or work visa, with the same or overlapping dates to travel together.

@Mellye
Ah, okay. That makes sense. The friend then would travel under a wrong name in the pass, but as names don’t get checked once you have the pass no one would know

@WinterVisitor, I do understand why you could want two DIFFERENT passes overlap. I was wondering about 2 identical passes. For anyone using them correctly it wouldn’t make any sense.

@Likebike - the answer not covered by other posters is to prevent/avoid fraud.
Consider the situation where someone is a holder of a foreign passport or a temporary visitor. They could buy multiple passes and then sell those to non-eligible people (like a Japanese friend) meaning the discounted travel for more than the person entitled to it. Previously the passes only required evidence of eligibility, now the passes include additional information like passport numbers and the issuing system knows if more than one pass is being issued.