The Forums

.

「リニアはつまらない」　鉄オタの石破新総裁、以前は計画に慎重見解
‘Linear trains are boring’ New president Ishiba, a rail enthusiast, holds a cautious view on the project


Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a well-known train enthusiast, has expressed skepticism about the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project. In a May interview, he stated that as a rail fan, he finds the project "boring" and questioned its necessity and the justification for government funding. He raised concerns about the potential environmental impact on the Oi River in Shizuoka due to tunneling through the Southern Alps, emphasizing the need for thorough answers from JR Tokai. Ishiba also pointed out that many residents see little benefit from the line, arguing that discussions about its purpose and the overall need for a high-speed link from Tokyo to Osaka are not fully mature. While proponents claim the line will reduce travel time significantly, he remains unconvinced about its overall value.

Source: Summarized, translated Info from https://mainichi.jp/articles/20240927/k ... 10/381000c Accessed 2024-09-28

Prime Minister Ishiba Now Supports Early Linear Shinkansen Opening and Shizuoka Construction

At his first press conference on October 1st, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed support for the early opening of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, including the long-delayed construction in Shizuoka Prefecture. He emphasized the project's potential to boost Japan's economy nationwide.

Ishiba confirmed he would continue the Kishida administration's policies, focusing on early construction in Shizuoka. He stressed the broader economic benefits beyond the route’s regions, highlighting increased capacity on the Tokaido Shinkansen as a key factor.

This is the first time Ishiba has addressed the project publicly. With new leadership in both the national government and Shizuoka, where Governor Yasutomo Suzuki supports the project, progress on the stalled Shizuoka section is expected to advance.

Info based on https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/sbs/1462723 Accessed 2024-10-01

石破首相は「リニア」に興味がない　鉄オタとしては「保守本流」で寝台特急には「1000回乗った」
Prime Minister Ishiba is not interested in “linear trains.” As an iron geek, he is a “mainstream conservative” and has ridden the sleeper express ”1,000 times.

　　On September 8, just before the presidential election, Ishiba posted a video on his official X page, saying, “I talked about my favorite railroad. Holding a model of a blue “Series 24” sleeper train, he spoke of his love for the “Izumo” sleeper express that once connected Tokyo with Tottori and Shimane, saying, “I have ridden it 1,000 times,” and “It is truly a railroad, a journey, an extraordinary feeling.

　The current state of the JR system, which is at best selective and concentrated and rational and at worst devalues regional areas, is so symmetrical to the situation in the days of the Japanese National Railways that not only Mr. Ishiba but also long-time railroad fans sometimes feel a sense of deep regret.

　Hence, Mr. Ishiba is not a fan of high-speed Shinkansen and linear railways, but he is strongly committed to the maintenance of regional railways. In past interviews, he has raised questions about the Linear Line.

　He has also expressed his understanding of the “separation of up and down” system, in which the national or local government owns the rail line itself, and the operator only operates the trains and maintains the lines. This is a policy that has long been promoted by fans in railroad magazines and on the Internet.

　Mr. Ishiba's stance, which sees the significance of connecting large cities and rural areas on the same tracks with a single train, is consistent with his political stance of supporting the reconstruction of rural areas. However, after assuming the prime minister's office, he also spoke of “aiming for the early opening of the Linear Linear Project,” and became involved in transportation policies apart from his love of railroads.

　As indicated by the results of the party ballot and polls taken during the presidential election, support for the Ishiba cabinet is high in rural areas and among the elderly, and low in urban areas and among younger voters.


Info based on translated Japanese Media News. Source: https://topics.smt.docomo.ne.jp/article ... ho-1199637 Accessed 2024-10-13