[JP] "Even the Boars Are Gone": The Drying Waters and Local Anger Over the Maglev Construction

[Miss Maglev]

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「イノシシもおらん」リニア工事で枯れた水、歩いて見えた地方の怒り
"Even the Boars Are Gone": The Drying Waters and Local Anger Over the Linear Shinkansen Construction



The following text is a summary and translation of a personal, individual report by an Asahi Shimbun transportation reporter who spoke to people affected by the construction of the Shinkansen Line in the Shizuoka region.


Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST373S9 ... E019M.html Accessed 2025-03-12

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Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST373S9 ... E019M.html Accessed 2025-03-12
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For the past two years, I had been wearing the same sturdy hiking sneakers for my reporting assignments. The soles had worn down, a testament to the countless miles I walked through rural communities in the Tokai region, speaking with residents and uncovering their stories. These journeys not only revealed the rich history and charm of these areas but also exposed the frustrations of people whose lives are often disrupted by urban-centric development.

One such case emerged in February last year in Okute, a district in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture. The area's water sources, including shared wells and household boreholes, suddenly began to dry up. By March, even the historic “Tenno-sama’s Well,” which had held water for 300 years, had gone dry. A local woman in her seventies lamented the sight of a cracked, empty pond that once teemed with life: “I’ve never seen it like this. The frogs used to be so loud; now, there’s nothing.”

The cause? The ongoing tunnel construction for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. By May, JR Tokai admitted the project’s impact and implemented emergency measures, switching affected households to municipal water supplies.

As a transportation reporter, I spent two days investigating the water crisis, walking through the small community of 140 people. That’s when I met Tatsujii Hasegawa, a 79-year-old former agricultural cooperative worker.

“We struggled with water shortages here,” he explained. “So, we built our own water sources. There used to be so much water that even wild boars would wallow in the mud. But now, they’re gone. It’s devastating.”

Hasegawa led me to one of the community’s vital water sources. We entered the cedar forest, walking until a rusted pipe emerged from the hillside. He removed a stone cover, revealing clear mountain water trickling through the pipe—one of the few remaining sources sustaining the community.

Okute is a basin surrounded by mountains, with no major rivers. Sixty years ago, summer droughts forced residents to ration water, leading them to create their own sources. This history explains their deep respect for water and their heightened awareness of its depletion.

Hasegawa gently placed the stone lid back over the pipe. “They say we’ll get alternative water, but it’s not the same.”

Until I visited the site and spoke with the residents, I had never fully grasped how essential water was to them. Growing up in an urban environment with an extensive water supply network, I had taken it for granted. Understanding why people revere water and fear its disappearance requires walking their land, listening to their stories, and learning their history firsthand. Through walking, their lives and struggles came into view.

Accurate data and records can form the basis of a report, but some emotions—grief, frustration, anger—can only be truly understood by seeing and hearing them directly. As I transition to my new role as a photojournalist in Osaka, I hope to continue walking the ground and uncovering stories that matter.

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST373S9 ... E019M.html Accessed 2025-03-12

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Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST373S9 ... E019M.html Accessed 2025-03-12
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Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST373S9 ... E019M.html Accessed 2025-03-12

[Parrahub1]

Perhaps it is climate change as it is not the only place in the world having too much or too little rain and your planes are not helping.

[latestnews]

Water Shortages Near Maglev Construction Site in Kasugai, Aichi – MP Motomura Investigates

Water sources have dried up near the Nishi-O section of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) construction in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture, prompting concern among residents. On April 6, Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Nobuko Motomura visited the affected Akeshi district to hear directly from locals and assess the situation. She was joined by city councilor Kenji Ito.

A local resident reported that his pond began losing water in March last year, briefly refilled over summer, but completely dried up—along with his well—by February this year. He noted this had never happened before.

Masahiko Kawamoto, a member of the citizens' group “Kasugai Questions the Maglev,” blamed the construction for disrupting natural underground water flow, leading to a continuous drop in water levels. He warned of further damage if construction continues unchecked. Councilor Ito expressed concern about the potential drying up of the Kamiya underground dam, which supports local agriculture.

JR Central plans to begin tunneling with a shield machine in the nearby Sakashita-Nishi section starting in June. Ito pointed out that old lignite mine tunnels exist in the area and said proper cavity surveys have not been conducted.

Motomura criticized JR Central for failing to provide scientific explanations or engage transparently with the public. She called for detailed hydrological investigations and for the company to take full responsibility for environmental impacts.

Info based on https://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik25/202 ... _02_0.html Accessed 2025-04-08

[Miss Maglev]

Ongoing Groundwater Crisis at Linear Shinkansen Tunnel in Gifu: No Solution After One Year

It’s been a year since groundwater began leaking at the Linear Chuo Shinkansen tunnel site in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, causing water levels in nearby wells to drop. Despite ongoing groundwater outflow and halted excavation, no definitive countermeasures have been decided, raising concerns about when and how the issue will be addressed.

Groundwater began surfacing at the Hiyoshi Tunnel site in December 2022 and February 2023. By May 2023, it became evident that private and communal wells in the nearby Ouchi town area had experienced significant drops in water levels. As of January 2024, 14 out of 32 wells had dried up and another 4 saw reduced water levels.

JR Central reports that some observation wells continue to show declines, with one well dropping over 60 meters by late April. Land subsidence has also been recorded, exceeding 10 cm in some places.

JR Central acknowledges the likelihood that tunnel construction caused the groundwater loss and has responded by supplying alternative water sources, drilling new wells, and repairing affected homes. The company also attempted to stop the water by injecting chemical agents into the surrounding ground.

However, more aggressive methods—like injecting fine cement deeper into the bedrock—have been halted due to concerns it might damage the tunnel structure. A similar incident occurred in Kagoshima in July 2023, reinforcing the risks. Experts at a January review meeting demanded either execution of this method or a viable alternative.

Groundwater leakage has slowed but continues at about 8 liters per second. The focus now lies on identifying effective, timely countermeasures.

**Timeline of Events:**

* In May 2023, JR Central publicly acknowledged falling well levels in Ouchi.
* Groundwater began leaking from two sections of the tunnel during excavation in late 2022 and early 2023.
* Despite identifying water loss in February 2023, JR continued drilling an additional 200 meters, citing unstable ground.
* After local government pressure, JR halted the work and started injecting chemical sealants into the ground on May 20, 2023.
* In August 2023, land subsidence in Ouchi was confirmed. A subsequent survey of 60 homes began in September to check for damage.
* Most surveys are now complete, and necessary repairs are underway.

**Residents’ Reactions:**

Locals appreciate that JR provided drinking water, but want faster and more permanent solutions. Etsuko Ohtake (76) said the communal water source she relied on dried up last February, which was built by her father’s generation. While JR now supplies water, she misses the taste of local spring water.

Another facility in Ouchi has experienced issues with doors since the ground began sinking last fall. Community leader Tomihisa Kouketsu (68) urged prompt action, including reinforcements or repairs.

He added, “While JR has been sincere, we hope Japan’s best experts can quickly stop the leakage and restore well water to pre-construction levels.”

**JR Central’s Statement:**

JR Central apologized for the disruption and pledged to continue transparent communication with residents and local authorities. Regarding the halted cement injection plan, the company cited safety concerns and said alternative methods are still under review. They are not ready to announce when tunnel excavation will resume.

Info based on https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/gifu/20250 ... 15796.html Accessed 2025-05-14