Key facts
- Japan's Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev train project has received approval to begin construction in Shizuoka Prefecture.
- The project faced a decade-long delay due to environmental concerns, primarily regarding the Oi River's water flow.
- The first phase will connect Tokyo and Nagoya, reducing travel time to 40 minutes.
- The total construction cost is estimated at ¥11 trillion (approximately $67.7 billion).
- Municipalities along the route are requesting a clear timeline for completion and expected economic benefits.
Japan's ambitious Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev train project is set to move forward after Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki granted approval for construction in his prefecture, ending a nine-year deadlock. The project, which aims to connect Tokyo and Nagoya in as little as 40 minutes, had been stalled due to environmental concerns raised by the previous governor, Heita Kawakatsu, primarily over the potential impact on the Oi River's water flow.
JR Central, the project's developer, has pledged compensation for any negative effects on water resources and committed to increasing the number of Shinkansen trains stopping in Shizuoka Prefecture. This agreement, expected to be formalized with an environmental preservation accord, paves the way for construction to commence on the most challenging section of the line linking Tokyo's Shinagawa Station and Nagoya Station.
Despite the green light, the project still faces significant hurdles, including substantial construction costs estimated at ¥11 trillion (approximately $67.7 billion). Municipalities along the planned route are now urging JR Central to clarify the project's timeline and outline the anticipated economic benefits. While business leaders in Shizuoka have welcomed the increased Shinkansen services, some residents, like sake brewer Aoshima Takashi, remain concerned about long-term environmental impacts and water quality.