JR Central’s Maglev Costs Soar, Casting Doubt on Osaka Extension
Tokyo, Oct. 31, 2025 — JR Central’s plan to extend Japan’s Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev line from Nagoya to Shin-Osaka faces growing uncertainty after construction costs for the first phase between Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station and Nagoya ballooned to ¥11 trillion (about $73 billion / €69 billion).
Company president Shunsuke Niwa said JR Central’s policy of beginning the Osaka extension “as soon as possible” remains unchanged. Yet analysts note that if the Shinagawa–Nagoya section alone costs that much, the entire Tokyo–Osaka route could top ¥20 trillion (roughly $133 billion / €125 billion) — one of the world’s most expensive infrastructure projects.
The cost surge stems from soaring material and labor prices and complex tunneling through fragile mountain geology. With no firm opening date and construction delays in Shizuoka Prefecture, observers warn that JR Central may need to reassess both the timeline and financial feasibility of completing the maglev line to Osaka.
If the Shinagawa–Nagoya segment alone costs ¥11 trillion, the full Tokyo–Osaka route could exceed ¥20 trillion, raising doubts about financial and practical feasibility even within the company itself.
Info based on https://tabiris.com/archives/liner-202510/ Accessed 2025-10-31