Project difficulties of the JR Maglev Chuo Shinkansen (2021)

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jok
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Project difficulties of the JR Maglev Chuo Shinkansen (2021)

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Project difficulties of the JR Maglev Chuo Shinkansen (2021)


The problem of leftover soil

What to do with the leftover soil from the construction of the Central Linear Railway? Tsubakurosawa city is right next to the mountain trail and the Oi River, and JR Tokai is planning to pile up about 3.6 million cubic meters of earth left over from the linear line construction there. A mudslide in Atami proved how dangerous it is to do so, Mr. Hideki Kashida, author of "Nightmare Super Express: The Linear-Central Shinkansen," said. The Atami mudslide has proven that this can happen to piled up soil all over Japan. Kashida has twice visited the site in Yanzawa with citizens' groups opposing the project, and has spoken out about the dangers of the 70-meter-high, 300-meter-wide, and 500-meter-long landfill. Shizuoka Prefecture has also issued a warning.
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Image Source: https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/images/t2.jpg Accessed: 2021-08-05

The official website of Shizuoka Prefecture, "Fuji no Kuni," addresses the dangers of the landfill. Environmental destruction due to the large-scale alteration of 18 hectares of land, collapse of 70-meter-high embankment, muddy water flowing into the Oi River, and the occurrence of a disaster due to river blockage (sediment dam). The amount of residual soil generated by the construction of the Central Linear Railway is about 56.8 million cubic meters.

Her the link to the Shizuoka prefecture website "Fuji no Kuni" https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/linear.html

The Oi river problem

Example of the Tanna Tunnel accident highlights the risks for the Japanese farmers and residents in the Shizuoka prefecture. During the construction of the Tanna Tunnel on the Tokaido Main Line (1960), a large amount of tunnel spring water was generated, and water equivalent to three times the volume of Lake Ashino (600 million cubic meters) was lost. As a result, the water used for wasabi cultivation, rice paddies, and drinking water dried up, and it is said that 5,000 town paddies were damaged and 6,000 farmers were involved. The lost water has not returned.

Image Source: https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/images/wg1.jpg Accessed: 2021-08-05
Tanna Tunnel accident
Image Source: https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/images/wg1.jpg Accessed: 2021-08-05
Tanna Tunnel accident  

Situation of spring water during the construction of the Tanna Tunnel [Photo courtesy of the Public Works Library attached to the Japan Society of Civil Engineers].

The problematic ecomomic perspective

Corona infections have worsened the JR Tokai company's business performance, and JR Tokai announced on April 27, 2008, that its fiscal 2008 financial results showed a 55% year-on-year decline in sales to 823.5 billion yen and an operating loss of 184.7 billion yen. If it is only the coronary pandemy, it is expected to recover with the spread of vaccination, but with the change in behavior due to the use of virtual online meetings, it is inevitable that the number of business trips will decrease. In a situation where there is no hope for a steady increase in travel, the question of whether or not a linear line linking Tokyo to Nagoya in 40 minutes and Tokyo to Osaka in 67 minutes is necessary is once again being debated.

The problem of increasing costs

Cnstruction costs are increasing. It was also revealed that the construction cost between Tokyo and Nagoya will increase from 5.5 trillion yen to 7 trillion yen. When the national government approved the implementation plan in 2002, the project was the sole responsibility of JR Tokai, and former Chairman Takayuki Kasai, who had been leading the project, boldly stated that the company would fully cover the 9 trillion yen cost of the project (to Osaka). Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is close to Mr. Kasai, made a pledge to the House of Councillors in July of that year to "bring forward the opening of the linear railway in Osaka and use fiscal investment and loans" and decided to inject 3 trillion yen into the project. The linear railway was elevated to a national project. It is feared that this will be met with an uncontrolled increase in the budget in the future.

The Conflict with Shizuoka prefecture:

The Linear-MaglevTunnel will be excavated at a depth of up to 1,400 meters beneath the Southern Alps. Shizuoka prefecture Governor Kawakatsu has refrained from giving the consent required under the River Law to start construction of the Shizuoka section because of the potential effects of the tunnel on the volume of water in rivers. Even so, the governor's consent is inevitable.
At a shareholders' meeting held on June 23, Mamoru Uno, vice president of JR Tokai, was asked by shareholders if there would be any change in the route. Mr. Uno was reported to have answered: If we change it, we will be back to square one. It's impossible. Therefore, for the next four years, tough negotiations will continue with Governor Kawakatsu.

Civil lawsuits

In addition, a civil lawsuit was filed on July 19 to stop the construction of a linear railway line due to a road cave-in accident in Chofu, Tokyo. Twenty-four residents of Denenchofu, Ota Ward, and other areas filed a lawsuit against JR Tokai, demanding an injunction on construction of the linear line route in their residential areas.


Info based on Japanese media reports. https://gendai.ismedia.jp/articles/amp/85783 by 伊藤 博敏 (Hirotoshi Ito). Accessed: 2021-08-05

Pbublication with a special focus on the Shizuoka Prefecture's perspective: https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... aglev_Line

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Best regards,
jok

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