[JP] Residents Challenge Maglev Project at the Tokyo High Court

[Miss Maglev]

岐阜の水枯れから１年「回復の目処立たず」〜ストップ・リニア！訴訟控訴審
Residents Challenge Maglev Project Over Ongoing Water Shortages in Gifu

On April 24, the fifth hearing of the appeal trial concerning the construction of the Chūō Shinkansen (Maglev) took place at the Tokyo High Court.

Residents living near the planned construction site are suing the government to revoke the project's approval, citing environmental harm. In court, attorney Hiroaki Okamoto presented evidence showing that wells and water sources around the construction site in Gifu Prefecture have been drying up since February 2024, with the situation continuing to deteriorate. He also noted that even after nine sessions, a special Gifu Prefecture expert committee still sees no prospects for water level recovery.

Okamoto argued that JR Central had downplayed the environmental risks during the assessment process, labeling their approach as negligent and calling it a violation of environmental impact assessment laws. He demanded the project's approval be revoked.

At a post-hearing meeting, co-representative attorney Naoki Tarui criticized JR Central for refusing to comment in court about the water shortage issue, accusing them of dismissing the relevance of post-approval events. He condemned their stance as unacceptable.

The next court date is set for July 24.

Info based on Japanese News: https://www.ourplanet-tv.org/50785/ Accessed 2025-04-30