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Ground Uplift Detected Above Linear Shinkansen Tunnel Site in Tokyo — JR Central Launches Investigation

Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) announced that it is investigating a ground uplift that occurred in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, above the tunnel construction zone for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) project.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Shinagawa Ward officials notified JR Central of an irregularity on a local roadway. Upon inspection, the company confirmed that the ground near an intersection in Nishi-Shinagawa had risen, creating a height difference of up to 13 centimeters between the sidewalk and the roadway.

The affected area lies roughly 80 meters above a section where a shield tunneling machine is excavating tunnels for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, the next-generation maglev train line designed to connect Tokyo and Nagoya in about 40 minutes.

JR Central stated that it is conducting a detailed analysis to determine whether the uplift is related to the tunneling operation. The company has also begun safety inspections in the surrounding area to ensure there is no further risk to local infrastructure or residents.

“We are taking this matter seriously and will continue to investigate the cause while prioritizing the safety of the community,”

a JR Central spokesperson said.

Info based on: https://article.auone.jp/detail/1/3/6/3 ... 1196409796 Accessed 2025-10-28

品川区のリニア大深度トンネル上で路面隆起、段差13cm　工事との関連調査へ
Road Surface Uplift Detected Above Linear Maglev Tunnel Site in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward

Tokyo, Oct. 31, 2025 — A section of roadway in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward experienced ground uplift of up to 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) directly above an area where JR Central is constructing a deep-underground tunnel for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (maglev) line.

At around 8:30 a.m. on October 28, the Shinagawa Ward Office alerted JR Central to an uneven road surface. Company staff confirmed that the deformation occurred almost directly above the excavation zone, where the vehicle lane and sidewalk had shifted, creating a visible step in the pavement.

JR Central has halted all tunneling work at the site and launched an investigation to determine whether the uplift is linked to ongoing construction activities. The incident adds to growing safety and cost concerns surrounding the Linear Maglev project, already delayed and facing soaring expenses.
Info based on: Source: https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/colum ... 142/02438/ Accessed 2025-10-31
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PHOTO: https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/colum ... 142/02438/ Accessed 2025-10-31

I doubt if that small damage would have occurred if they had used Chinese TBM technology.

In Shinagawa, Tokyo, a road near the site of tunnel excavation for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen experienced an uplift measuring up to 13 centimeters in height last month.
Mayor Kyoko Morisawa of Shinagawa emphasized the critical importance of verifying the implementation of countermeasures, prioritizing the safety and well-being of local residents by adopting a firm and resolute approach. The railway operator, JR Tokai, has temporarily suspended construction activities pending a thorough investigation into the cause of the anomaly, with onsite excavation and inspection scheduled to commence on November 20.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges associated with large-scale urban infrastructure projects and the imperative of stringent safety oversight during the development of high-speed rail systems in Tokyo.

Info based on: https://topics.smt.docomo.ne.jp/amp/art ... -000466703 Accessed 2025-11-16

It is relativly small but what do you expect with last century drill and blast.

リニア新幹線工事関連か路面が隆起　JR東海が掘削調査を開始
Road Heave Near Maglev Construction Site in Tokyo Prompts Investigation

A section of roadway near the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) construction site in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward has buckled, prompting JR Central (JR Tokai) to halt tunneling work and launch a detailed on-site investigation.

On the 28th of last month, officials confirmed that a stretch of road about 10 meters (roughly 33 feet) long had risen by up to around 13 centimeters (about 5 inches). The deformation was found close to an active construction area for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, the planned Maglev line that will eventually link Tokyo and Nagoya.

Roughly 80 meters (about 260 feet) below the affected section, JR Central has been excavating a tunnel for the new line. Starting on the 20th, the company began digging down up to about 3 meters from the surface around the buckled area to better understand what caused the uplift and whether ground conditions have changed around the tunnel.

At this stage, JR Central says the relationship between the surface heave and the Maglev tunnel construction is still under investigation. As a precaution, tunnel excavation work in that section has been suspended while engineers analyze soil conditions and monitor for any further movement.

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen is one of Japan’s largest ongoing infrastructure projects, designed to use superconducting Maglev technology to dramatically cut travel time between major cities. Because of its scale and the depth of the tunnels under dense urban areas, any sign of surface deformation is being watched closely by both authorities and the public.

For now, the focus is on confirming safety in the surrounding area, determining the exact cause of the road heave, and deciding how and when tunneling work can safely resume. Further updates from JR Central and local authorities are expected as the investigation progresses.

Info based on: https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_societ ... 67650.html Accessed 2025-11-22

Eurorapid wrote: ↑
22. Nov 2025, 13:01
リニア新幹線工事関連か路面が隆起　JR東海が掘削調査を開始
Road Heave Near Maglev Construction Site in Tokyo Prompts Investigation

A section of roadway near the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) construction site in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward has buckled, prompting JR Central (JR Tokai) to halt tunneling work and launch a detailed on-site investigation.

On the 28th of last month, officials confirmed that a stretch of road about 10 meters (roughly 33 feet) long had risen by up to around 13 centimeters (about 5 inches). The deformation was found close to an active construction area for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, the planned Maglev line that will eventually link Tokyo and Nagoya.

Roughly 80 meters (about 260 feet) below the affected section, JR Central has been excavating a tunnel for the new line. Starting on the 20th, the company began digging down up to about 3 meters from the surface around the buckled area to better understand what caused the uplift and whether ground conditions have changed around the tunnel.

At this stage, JR Central says the relationship between the surface heave and the Maglev tunnel construction is still under investigation. As a precaution, tunnel excavation work in that section has been suspended while engineers analyze soil conditions and monitor for any further movement.

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen is one of Japan’s largest ongoing infrastructure projects, designed to use superconducting Maglev technology to dramatically cut travel time between major cities. Because of its scale and the depth of the tunnels under dense urban areas, any sign of surface deformation is being watched closely by both authorities and the public.

For now, the focus is on confirming safety in the surrounding area, determining the exact cause of the road heave, and deciding how and when tunneling work can safely resume. Further updates from JR Central and local authorities are expected as the investigation progresses.

Info based on: https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_societ ... 67650.html Accessed 2025-11-22

13 cm is relatively small and if they had used Chinese TBM there would have been none.

Japan has to use Chinese TBM tech to sell their SC maglev with overnight container trains that allow daytime fares to be lower than planes.

Australia wants to be friendly with both.

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[JP] Ground Uplift Detected Above Maglev Tunnel Site in Tokyo

[JP] Ground Uplift Detected Above Maglev Tunnel Site in Tokyo

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[JP] Road Heave Near Maglev Construction Site in Tokyo Prompts Investigation

Re: [JP] Road Heave Near Maglev Construction Site in Tokyo Prompts Investigation