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Racing to Kansai: Leaders Push for Faster Linear Shinkansen Completion Amid Mounting Challenges

On December 17, governors from Osaka, Nara, and Mie prefectures, alongside business leaders from the Kansai region, united in urging for the accelerated development of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen to connect to the Kansai region. The high-speed rail project, which aims for full-line completion by 2037, faces mounting challenges, including delays in construction and environmental concerns.

Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura of Osaka emphasized the importance of adhering to the 2037 timeline, stating that achievable measures should be taken to prevent delays. JR Central recently completed geological surveys in six locations across Nara and Mie to determine station placement. However, issues such as potential impacts on groundwater and delays in Shizuoka Prefecture’s construction remain significant obstacles.

Despite strong regional demands for early completion, there is no clear timeline for when the line will extend to Osaka. The uncertainties highlight the complexities of the project, which remains a critical infrastructure goal for the Kansai region’s future connectivity and economic development.

Based on Japanese Media News, 2024-12-17

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen Construction Promotion Conference for Mie, Nara, and Osaka was held on Tuesday, December 17, in Osaka Prefecture. Approximately 320 attendees, including governors from the three prefectures and Masayoshi Matsumoto, participated in the event organized by the prefectures and economic organizations.

Key speakers included Keiji Furuya, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Special Committee on Superconducting Linear Railways, Motonari Adachi, counselor at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Mamoru Uno, vice chairman and executive officer of Central Japan Railway Company.

The conference adopted a resolution calling for the early completion of the entire line by expediting the environmental impact assessment procedures for the Nagoya-Osaka section. Attendees confirmed plans to conduct advocacy activities based on this resolution.

In his closing remarks, Chairman Matsumoto emphasized the importance of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen's early full-line opening for Japan's economic growth and national resilience. He expressed commitment to fostering momentum and considering urban development along the route to achieve this goal as soon as possible.

Info based on https://www.kankeiren.or.jp/topics/2024 ... t-768.html Accessed 2024-12-21
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Photo: https://www.kankeiren.or.jp/topics/2024 ... t-768.html Accessed 2024-12-21

With Japan’s decreasing population, rather than encouraging develop along the line it may be better to develop an overnight container train while waiting for the tunnel to be finished which can be showcased connecting Melbourne to Brisbane and exported worldwide.

"Experts Discuss Strategies to Maximize the Economic and Tourism Benefits of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen for Mie Prefecture"

A committee of experts met to discuss how the opening of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen will benefit the entire Mie Prefecture, focusing on how to spread the economic and tourism effects across the region. The meeting was attended by around 50 participants, including university professors, transportation officials, and local government representatives. The Mie Prefectural Government presented a draft action plan highlighting the expected reduction in travel time between Shinagawa and Nagoya by about 50 minutes, bringing the journey to roughly two hours. This faster connection is expected to promote migration and increase tourism.

Participants discussed the need to quickly improve transportation networks from Kameyama, a candidate location for a new intermediate station, to tourism sites in southern Mie Prefecture. While Mie is rich in tourism resources, its overall visibility is low, and the participants stressed the importance of strengthening public relations efforts. Based on these suggestions, the prefecture aims to finalize the action plan by March 2026.

Mie Prefecture’s Transportation Policy Director, Motoharu Nakamura, emphasized the goal of making Mie a more attractive destination in the Linear Shinkansen era, encouraging more visitors to the region.

Info based on Japanese News. Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/tsu/202501 ... 14375.html Accessed 2025-01-16.