Arsenic substances in soil in Gifu 2.1 times the environmental standard

[Miss Maglev]

Arsenic substances in soil in Gifu 2.1 times the environmental standard


　During the construction of JR Tokai's Linear Central Shinkansen Line (between Shinagawa and Nagoya in Tokyo), it was newly discovered that soil containing arsenic and other substances that exceeded environmental standards was transported to a disposal site in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture.

　The overburden was brought in on February 18 from the Linear Central Shinkansen "1st Chukyo Area Tunnel Nishio Construction Section" in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture.

　According to an announcement by Gifu Prefecture on February 14, tests conducted on the soil left over at the disposal site detected arsenic at 2.1 times the national environmental standard and fluorine at 1.5 times the national standard. The The company states that there were no abnormalities in the water quality of the river into which wastewater from the disposal site flows.

　Gifu Prefecture has requested that JR Tokai take measures to prevent a recurrence of such an accident, and has requested that the earth and sand (approximately 12,000 tons) brought in on February 18 be removed from the site. 5 cubic meters) to be removed and disposed of properly as soon as possible. The company is also requesting inspections and reports on earth and sand brought in up to this point.

　JR Tokai explained: "We are conducting inspections appropriately at a frequency of once a day. JR Tokai responded, "We will decide what to do in the future after coordinating with the government, the specified worksites (landfill sites), and the JV (joint venture).

　Masahiko Kawamoto, representative of the Aichi Prefecture Liaison Committee for the Linear Development, stated, "There is a possibility that the disposal site has been contaminated without the residents' knowledge, and there is a risk that heavy metals such as arsenic will flow out with rainwater. Testing by taking a small amount of soil and sand from the excavated soil is not sufficient.

Info based on Japanese Source: https://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik21/202 ... _02_0.html Accessed 2022-03-22

[Miss Maglev]

　Ryosuke Takeda, a member of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), demanded at a meeting of the House of Councillors' Accounts Committee on March 6 that the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law) be applied to soil that requires countermeasures (toxic residual soil) discharged during tunnel construction for the Linear Central Shinkansen Line.

　Mr. Takeda pointed out that the tunnel construction overburden from Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture, was transported to a disposal site in Gifu Prefecture, where arsenic and fluorine, which exceeded environmental standards, were detected in a Gifu Prefecture survey. He asked whether there are any regulations under the Soil Countermeasures Law regarding the placement of 1.5 million cubic meters of soil containing soil requiring countermeasures under the linear rail yard to be built in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, and in the upper reaches of reservoirs.

　Hiroshi Matsuzawa, Director of the Water and Air Quality Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment, replied that the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law is intended to deal with soil contamination caused by human activities at former factory sites, and does not directly apply to naturally occurring contaminated soil left over from tunnel construction.

　Mr. Takeda pointed out that the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law is not applied, leaving the disposal of soil in need of countermeasures up to the operator. Although the soil upstream of the reservoir is to be sealed with an impervious sheet, the sheet is not permanent and will last only 15 years, raising concerns that contaminated water may leak into agricultural water.

　Environment Minister Sou Yamaguchi stated that he has instructed the operators of the linear construction projects to treat the soil that requires countermeasures in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law. Mr. Takeda demanded that not only JR Tokai take voluntary measures, but also that the national government should take responsibility for the safety of soil that needs to be treated.

Info based on: https://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik22/202 ... _04_0.html Accessed: 2022-04-07


Mr. Ryosuke Takeda, a member of the House of Councillors
Photo: https://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik22/202 ... _04_0.html Accessed: 2022-04-07

[latestnews]

岐阜県内のリニアトンネル工事 いったん中断し地質調査へ
Linear tunnel construction in Gifu Prefecture suspended for geological survey



JR Tokai Corporation (JR Tokai) has announced that it will suspend the construction of the Linear Central Shinkansen Tunnel in Gifu Prefecture to conduct a geological survey, as the tunnel route will pass under a basin where rice fields are expanding.

At two sections of the Linear Central Shinkansen tunnel construction site in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, groundwater has seeped out and the water level in nearby wells, reservoirs, and common water sources has dropped.

JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa addressed the issue at a press conference on March 16, saying, "We are causing great concern and inconvenience to the local community. We will continue to communicate closely with the local community and local authorities and respond to the situation in a sincere manner.

President Niwa then explained that since the tunnel route would pass under a basin of rice paddies, construction would be halted for a while before that point to conduct a geological survey.

He also stated that he would consider whether or not additional measures would be necessary to continue construction while listening to the opinions of experts.

On the other hand, since groundwater is still gushing out at a rate of about 20 liters per second at the tunnel excavation site, JR Tokai has decided to take urgent measures to stop the water, such as injecting chemical solutions into the ground.

Info based on translated Japanese News. Source. NHK https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202405 ... 71000.html Accessed 2024-05-16

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2024-05-16_NHK_Soil

K10014451571_2405161855_0516185900_02_03[1].jpg (20.82 KiB) Viewed 4816 times

Source. NHK https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202405 ... 71000.html Accessed 2024-05-16

[Miss Maglev]

リニア工事で水位低下　国交相、JR東海に「原因究明と住民説明を」
Water level dropped during linear construction MLIT Minister to JR Tokai: 'Investigate cause and explain to residents'


　On 17 May, Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, called on JR Tokai to immediately investigate the cause of the problem and provide detailed explanations to residents and others in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, where tunnel excavation for the Linear Central Shinkansen is underway. He made the remarks at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting.

　Minister Saito said that JR Tokai had reported to him that the water level in wells and other wells had dropped and that there was a strong possibility that this was caused by the tunnel construction. He then stated that he would "continue to provide guidance and advice to JR Tokai so that it can promptly investigate the cause of the problem, carefully explain the situation to local residents and take appropriate measures based on the investigation".

Info based on translated news. Source: Takeshi Owada https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS5K265 ... A00TM.html Accessed: 2024-05-17

[latestnews]

Central Japan Railway Co., or JR Tokai, will briefly suspend drilling work at a tunnel for the planned Chuo Shinkansen magnetic levitation train line, after water levels in nearby wells decreased

JR Tokai will dig several hundred meters deep to investigate geological conditions around the tunnel in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, Niwa said at a press conference. [...]

JR Tokai in late February recognized a water level decline at a well it had set up as an observation point. It later confirmed dips in water levels at 14 locations including communal water sources and wells at private homes.

“Since no other construction work that could affect groundwater levels has been carried out in surrounding areas, we believe there is a high possibility that the decline was caused by (the tunnel) work,” Niwa said.

The Gifu prefectural government asked JR Tokai to report the cause of the water level decline as soon as possible.

Source: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society ... 17-186544/ Nagoya, May 16 (Jiji Press) — Accessed 2024-05-17

[Miss Maglev]

Declining Water Levels Near Linear Construction Site: JR Central Begins New Well Installation:
JR Central has initiated the construction of new wells near the Linear Chuo Shinkansen construction site to address the decline in water levels.

JR Central began constructing replacement wells on the 20th in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, where tunnel excavation for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project has caused a decline in water levels in wells and other sources.

In the Okute neighborhood of Mizunami City, near the tunnel construction site, water levels have dropped at 14 locations, including wells and reservoirs. JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa stated that "the water level decline is highly likely due to the construction" and announced plans to install two replacement wells for the affected sources.

According to JR Central, the well construction that began on this day is planned to be located near a residential settlement and will be approximately 150 meters deep. The excavation work is expected to be completed by the end of June, with additional piping and other necessary work to make the water usable expected to take another two months.

In response to this issue, JR Central has announced a temporary suspension of the tunnel construction. However, they plan to continue excavating up to the edge of the basin where the residential settlement is located and then conduct a drilling survey to investigate the geological conditions.

On the 17th, Koji Mizuno, the mayor of Mizunami City, submitted a document to JR Central demanding an immediate halt to the construction, urging them to "stop the work, promptly analyze and investigate the cause, and implement necessary measures."

Info based on translated Japanese News. Source: Tetsuo Teranishi in https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS5N24X ... B002M.html Accessed 2022-05-20

[latestnews]

Toxic Substance Found at Linear Construction Site in Ena City, JR Tokai Reported to Gifu Prefecture 'One Month Late'

　JR Tokai announced that a toxic substance "hexavalent chromium" exceeding the national standard was detected in April at the construction site of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture. According to JR Tokai, "hexavalent chromium" 1.5 times the environmental standard was detected in an observation well at the Nagashima Tunnel construction site in Mukunami-cho, Ena City.

　The results of the water quality test were released on April 30, but the contractor misinterpreted the standard and was unaware that it had been exceeded. JR Tokai learned of the situation on the 10th of this month, about a month after the test results were released, and officially reported the situation to Gifu Prefecture on the 11th of this month.

　Gifu Prefecture immediately conducted a water quality survey and urged local residents not to drink the well water until the results were known.

Info based on translated Japanese News. Source: https://www.nagoyatv.com/news/?id=024754 Accessed 2024-06-11

[latestnews]

Issues with Linear Construction, Including Falling Water Levels

JR Tokai provides an explanation to Gifu Prefecture: "A detailed investigation into the cause of the problem is not currently being considered."


The water level in wells in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, where a tunnel for the Linear Central Shinkansen Line is under construction, has decreased.

In the section of the tunnel construction where the problem was identified, several wells and reservoirs in Otsu-cho, Mizunami City, exhibited lowered water levels.

In a meeting between Gifu Prefecture and JR Tokai in May of this year, prior to the discovery of the problem, JR Tokai indicated that they were not contemplating a comprehensive investigation into the underlying cause of the issue, citing the potential for significant financial and temporal costs.

JR Tokai informed the interviewer that they were unaware of the statement in question, citing the absence of a comprehensive record. In response to the incident, JR Tokai has temporarily halted construction activities and is employing chemical agents to prevent the influx of water into the tunnel.

Source: Translated info from https://news.goo.ne.jp/article/nagoyatv ... 25363.html Accessed 2024-07-16

[Miss Maglev]

At a regular press conference held in Nagoya on 17 May, JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa stated that, in relation to the drop in the water level of a well near the construction site of the Linear Central Shinkansen tunnel in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, ‘We recognise the importance of clarifying the mechanism by which the construction caused the water level drop’. At a meeting with the prefectural and municipal governments on 14 May, a company representative said, ‘We are not considering a detailed investigation into the cause".

Source: Translated Media News https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/ ... 4071800176 Accessed 2024-07.19

[latestnews]

Nakatsukawa Study Meeting to Discuss Concerns about Near-Construction Work, Residents Along the Nakatsukawa River in Response to Water Level Drop Issue

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On July 19, residents in the Nakatsugawa area held an emergency study meeting on the linear groundwater problem at the Naegi Exchange Center in Nakatsugawa City, in response to the low water level at a common water source in Ootte Town, Mizunami City.
A journalist who has been following the issues of the Central Shinkansen Line was invited, and council members and residents of Nagiso Town, Nakatsugawa, and Ena City in Nagano Prefecture reported their local problems and concerns to each other.

At the meeting, journalist Hiroaki Izawa, co-author of the book “Why Linear Failed” (Green Wind Publications), explained the background of the problem of low water levels in Otsu Town. He introduced a video of a briefing session held by the JR Tokai Corporation (JR Tokai) and an article in this newspaper reporting that JR Tokai had told the prefectural government that they were not considering a detailed investigation into the cause of the problem before the issue became public.

Source: Translated Media News https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/929959 4071800176 Accessed 2024-07-20

[latestnews]

Nagano Prefecture to Reassess Environmental Impact of Using Contaminated Soil from Linear Shinkansen Construction Following Public Opposition


Nagano Prefecture plans to conduct a new environmental impact assessment in response to JR Central's plan to use soil containing heavy metals, exceeding safety standards, from the Linear Shinkansen tunnel excavation in nearby construction. This decision follows opposition from local residents concerned about environmental risks. The prefecture has pledged to communicate residents' concerns to JR Central.

Info based on translated Japanese Media News. Source: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1369435 Accessed: 2024-08-20

[Miss Maglev]

JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa addressed concerns during a press conference about ground subsidence near the Hiyoshi Tunnel construction site for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture. Niwa acknowledged that the lowering of the groundwater level due to tunnel excavation could not be ruled out as a cause of the issue.
Since May, a maximum ground subsidence of 2.7 centimeters has been observed in the area, but no significant surface changes have been detected in residential zones. The company plans to investigate potential impacts on nearby homes to address any possible damage caused by the construction.

Info based on Source: https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2024090400960 Accessed: 2024-09-04

[Miss Maglev]

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JR Tokai begins investigation into cause of low water level Linear construction area in Gifu
JR Tokai reveals underground water flow in area where water level dropped

JR Tokai announced on September 30 that it has started a boring (excavation) survey to investigate the cause of the drop in water levels in wells and other wells in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, where tunnel excavation work for the Linear Central Shinkansen Line is underway. The company will drill approximately 150 meters below the ground surface at five locations near the site. The extensive investigation will reveal the details of the underground water flow. The investigation is expected to take more than two months.

Info based on Japanese Media News. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 0C2000000/ Accessd September 30, 2024