[JP] Chuo Shinkansen Summary

[Eurorapid]

リニア問題の記事多すぎ よく分からない人のために「賛否両論」を整理する

Too many articles on the Linear Linear issue ? Sorting out the "pros and cons" for those who are not familiar with the issue

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　The construction of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line is underway with the aim of opening in 2027. However, Shizuoka Prefecture has refused to allow construction of the Shizuoka section of the Minami-Alps Tunnel (tentative name), which will penetrate the prefecture, due to a "water problem," making the 2027 opening date unrealistic.

Significance of Construction

　The Linear Central Shinkansen Line is currently under construction by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai), aiming to open between Shinagawa and Nagoya in 2027 or later. The Linear Shinkansen refers to a magnetic levitation railroad that uses superconducting magnetic levitation linear motor cars and has a maximum design speed of 505 km/h. The Linear Shinkansen will run from Shinagawa to Nagoya in "as fast as 40 minutes.

The line is scheduled to connect Shinagawa and Nagoya in "as fast as 40 minutes". The final construction of the line is planned to reach Shin-Osaka Station, which is scheduled to open in 2037 at the earliest. The shortest planned opening date is 2037, with Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka in 67 minutes at the earliest.

　JR Tokai believes that the Linear Shinkansen's construction is significant because it will create a huge metropolitan area by directly connecting the three metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in a short period of time, and will provide an opportunity to greatly improve Japan's international competitiveness. In addition, the report explains that the Tokaido Shinkansen is deteriorating over time, and that the Linear Chuo Shinkansen will be realized as soon as possible to double the main arterial lines connecting the three metropolitan areas and serve as a backup line, as a drastic measure against large-scale disasters. Furthermore, if the Linear Chuo Shinkansen is realized, the trains corresponding to the "Nozomi" of the Tokaido Shinkansen will be transferred to the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, and the "Hikari" and "Kodama" trains, which have many stops, will mainly operate on the Linear Chuo Shinkansen,

This will increase the number of Shinkansen trains that stop at stations that Nozomi trains used to pass through, and will contribute to the improvement of opportunities for passengers to use such stations and the revitalization of the Tokaido Shinkansen line.

　For Nozomi, the stops between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka are limited to Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kyoto, and the stops between these stations are

Shizuoka Prefecture (Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, Shizuoka, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu)
Gifu Prefecture (Gifu Hashima)
Shiga Prefecture (Maibara)

The train does not stop at any of the stations in Shizuoka Prefecture.

　The total project cost of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen between Shinagawa and Nagoya will be increased by 1.5 trillion yen from the originally planned 5.5 trillion yen to 7 trillion yen in April 2021.

The data released at that time showed that the total project cost of the Linear Central Shinkansen between Nagoya and Nagoya would be 7 trillion yen. According to the data released at that time, JR Tokai's long-term debt balance after 2027 will reach approximately 6 trillion yen, a situation that will continue for several years. However, JR Tokai has said that, based on its past track record of repaying its long-term debt JR Tokai believes that the company will be able to withstand the situation for several years. However, JR Tokai has indicated that the company can withstand the situation for several years.

　The Tokaido Shinkansen, operated by JR Tokai, was owned by the Shinkansen Holding Corporation in 1987, when JR Tokai was established as a result of the privatization of Japan National Railways, and JR Tokai leased the Shinkansen to operate the line. However, in 1991, JR Tokai purchased the railroad facilities related to the Tokaido Shinkansen for approximately 5 trillion yen. This resulted in a long-term debt of approximately 5.4 trillion yen, but JR Tokai has continued to repay the debt in annual installments of approximately 140 billion yen with the passenger revenue generated by the Tokaido Shinkansen, and by FY2015 the balance of the long-term debt was less than 2 trillion yen.

　Furthermore, while operating income (non-consolidated) in FY1991, when the Tokaido Shinkansen was purchased, was 287.6 billion yen, it increased to 667.7 billion yen in FY18 before the corona. Given these facts, JR Tokai Co, believes that it can withstand long-term debt of around 6 trillion yen because "the company's management strength is stronger than it was when it bought the Tokaido Shinkansen."

Arguments of Linear Opponents

In contrast, there are some deep-rooted opponents of the Linear Central Shinkansen. The most influential argument is from Shizuoka Prefecture, which claims that since the Shizuoka construction section will dig a long tunnel in the headwaters of the Oi River in the Southern Alps, tunnel spring water seeping from the headwaters will flow out to the Yamanashi side, causing a drought in the Oi River. Shizuoka Prefecture has been reluctant to approve the start of construction of the Shizuoka construction zone, saying that it would interfere with water supply in the lower Oigawa River basin, which would be a matter of life and death for the prefecture's residents, and that the Oigawa River system "must protect the 'water of life' for 620,000 people.

　Other major arguments include

The time advantage of 40 minutes to Nagoya is blown away by the time required for security checks, which are as strict as those at airports.
JR Tokai's demand forecast is excessive and Linear Line will not be profitable. The amount of investment for the Linear Line is equivalent to the total cost of nursing care insurance, so we do not agree with the plan. Some of them say that the project is not a good idea.

　Although it has not yet been officially announced what exactly the method will be when boarding the Linear Shinkansen, the idea is that the Linear Shinkansen has a fatal flaw in that it will require body and baggage checks comparable to those on airplanes when boarding the train. Most of the line between Shinagawa and Nagoya is a tunnel, and trains are operated automatically under central control. With only three conductors on board the train, which has a capacity of approximately 1,000 passengers, what would happen if explosives or deadly weapons were brought on board the train, which is traveling at 500 km/h through the dark tunnel?

　To prevent such a situation, security checks comparable to those at airports are required before boarding, and for this reason, the train must arrive at the station inspection area at least 30 minutes before boarding. In addition, since each station will be located deep underground, it will take an extra 10 to 20 minutes to get down to the underground platforms, and when these times are factored in, the 40-minute time advantage of the linear train will be lost.

　As for JR Tokai's demand forecast being excessive and the Linear Line not being profitable, even if the Linear Chuo Shinkansen starts service, JR Tokai's sales will not increase because the passengers who used to use the Tokaido Shinkansen will only be split between the Linear Chuo Shinkansen and the Tokaido Shinkansen. If JR Tokai raises prices to increase sales, the number of passengers will decrease, and JR Tokai will ultimately not be able to finance the investment in the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. Furthermore, JR Tokai's projection that the combined number of passengers on the Tokaido Shinkansen and Linear Chuo Shinkansen will increase by 26% by the time the line opens in Shin-Osaka in 2037 is an exaggeration in a society with a declining population.

　Furthermore, some argue that the total cost of long-term care insurance in Japan is 9.7 trillion yen, which is equivalent to the amount invested in the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, and therefore, is not in favor of the Linear Shinkansen. Although the total cost of long-term care insurance and the construction cost of the Linear Shinkansen cannot be compared in terms of cost and investment, there is no place in the world where one can spend such a huge amount of money and travel at a speed of 500 km/h in the darkness of a tunnel.


Economic Impact of "Approximately 160 Billion Yen

　In Shizuoka Prefecture, the "Oigawa River water problem" tends to be the main focus of attention, and the benefits of the Linear Shinkansen construction are rarely reported in the media. However, in fact, the construction of the Linear Shinkansen will have an economic impact of "about 160 billion yen" on Shizuoka Prefecture over 10 years.

　When the Linear Central Shinkansen begins service, demand for transportation between Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka will shift from the Tokaido Shinkansen to the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, creating a surplus in the Tokaido Shinkansen's transportation capacity.

　The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism estimates that if this extra capacity is used to increase the number of Shinkansen stations in Shizuoka Prefecture to about 1.5 times the current level, the economic effect in Shizuoka Prefecture, which has no Shinkansen station, will amount to 167.9 billion yen over 10 years until 2046, when the Linear Central Line will begin service at Shin-Osaka, through improved convenience and increased tourists from outside the prefecture. The report also estimates that it will create a total of about 15,000 jobs in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Info based on translated Japanese Media news. Source: https://article.auone.jp/detail/1/3/6/2 ... 9113110659 Accessed 2024-02-24

[Parrahub1]

It is faster even at 20 days to use trucks rather than rail from China to Europe so they really need a Japanese SC maglev that can take overnight container trains so the pallatised freight is the answer for the world with daytime smaller trains to reduce risk.

https://www.logisticspeople-community.c ... nd-europe/

It can be showcased from Parrahub to Melbourne with 60 double shield hardrock Chinese 14m diameter TBM driven in two years while balancing our trade and creating peace in the south China sea.

Parrahub video. https://ai.invideo.io/workspace/ee74d2b ... ea7b27904d

[Miss Maglev]

Linear: Governor cautious about conducting early study requested by communities


On 25th January, the heads of the local governments along the Oigawa River basin asked the president of JR Tokai to proceed with the survey as soon as possible, regarding the survey of boreholes in the prefecture that the prefectural government has asked JR Tokai to cancel in connection with the construction of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line. Governor Kawakatsu reiterated his cautious stance, saying, "The survey is also for water drainage, and we don't know how much water will flow out of the prefecture.

In December last year, JR Tokai reached an agreement with the dam's management company on the method of construction and compensation for the project.

In response, the mayors of 10 cities and towns in the Oigawa River basin exchanged views with JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa and asked JR Tokai to proceed quickly and steadily with the drilling survey, which the prefecture had asked JR Tokai to stop due to concerns about the possibility of groundwater spilling from the prefecture into Yamanashi Prefecture, and to report the results.
In response, Governor Kawakatsu stated at his regular press conference, "The drilling survey is also for water drainage, and we do not know how much water will flow out of the prefecture as a result of the survey," and reiterated his cautious attitude towards the early implementation of the survey requested by the local government, which has stated that it will respect the wishes of the local government.

He then said: "We are interested in the discussions in the new expert panel that the government has announced it will set up, because the monitoring system needs to be clarified.

Info based on translated Japanese Media news. SOurce: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/shizuoka/2 ... 23113.html Accessed 2024-02-26

[Parrahub1]

China has 16229 tunnels so it may be good to ask them how to drive it.

[Eurorapid]

JR Tokai, Shizuoka Leaders Discuss Environmental Steps over Maglev Line

Shunsuke Niwa, president of Central Japan Railway Co., or JR Tokai, had a meeting in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sunday with leaders of 10 municipalities along the Oi River in Shizuoka Prefecture to discuss environmental protection measures over the Chuo Shinkansen magnetic levitation line project.

[...]

Niwa said [...] that it is increasingly necessary to complete the maglev line soon as a fundamental measure to prepare for disasters.

The meeting was attended by the mayors of 10 municipalities including the cities of Shimada and Yaizu and the town of Yoshida.

One of the mayors urged JR Tokai to thoroughly monitor environmental impacts, and JR Tokai responded that it would fully address any problems.

Source: (Jiji Press) https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2024022500276/ Accessed 20224-02-27