To provide a device and a method for switching a communication mode of an electronic key, which enable the communication mode of the electronic key to be switched, for example, for each piece of equipment as the party at the other end of a communication line, and which enable this switching to be performed only by a structurally simple type.

The electronic key 2 includes a plurality of communication parts 11, 11, ... different in communication mode from one another. Communication mode selecting information 31 (31a and 31b) is pre-imparted to each of mechanical keys 26a and 26b for emergency, which are housed in the key body of the electronic key 2; and the communication part 11 based on the communication mode selecting information 31a and 31b is selected for the setting of the communication mode of the electronic key 2.

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