[JP] Controversial Power Hub: Oshibugawa Substation and Japan’s Maglev Future

[latestnews]

Controversial Power Hub: Oshibugawa Substation and Japan’s Maglev Future

The Oshibugawa Substation is a key piece of infrastructure for Japan’s Linear Maglev (Chūō Shinkansen) project. This facility in Oshika Village will convert and supply the large amounts of electrical power needed to run the maglev trains, which rely entirely on electromagnetic forces for both levitation and propulsion. Without substations like Oshibugawa, the high-speed line between Tokyo and Nagoya (and eventually Osaka) simply cannot operate.

What makes Oshibugawa controversial is how JR Central plans to build it. The company intends to use excavated soil from the Southern Alps Tunnel to create embankments and shape the substation site. That soil naturally contains arsenic and other heavy metals, which has sparked serious concern among local residents and environmental groups.

Critics worry that reusing this material could contaminate groundwater, soil, and surrounding ecosystems over the long term. JR Central argues that the work will comply with all safety and environmental regulations, but many locals remain skeptical. As a result, the Oshibugawa Substation has become a focal point in the broader debate over how far Japan should go in pushing next-generation rail technology when there are unresolved environmental risks at the project’s doorstep.

Info based on https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/ ... 3p2oifkbh0 Accessed 2025-12-17

[Parrahub1]

Controversial Power Hub: Oshibugawa Substation and Japan’s Maglev Future

The Oshibugawa Substation is a key piece of infrastructure for Japan’s Linear Maglev (Chūō Shinkansen) project. This facility in Oshika Village will convert and supply the large amounts of electrical power needed to run the maglev trains, which rely entirely on electromagnetic forces for both levitation and propulsion. Without substations like Oshibugawa, the high-speed line between Tokyo and Nagoya (and eventually Osaka) simply cannot operate.

What makes Oshibugawa controversial is how JR Central plans to build it. The company intends to use excavated soil from the Southern Alps Tunnel to create embankments and shape the substation site. That soil naturally contains arsenic and other heavy metals, which has sparked serious concern among local residents and environmental groups.

Critics worry that reusing this material could contaminate groundwater, soil, and surrounding ecosystems over the long term. JR Central argues that the work will comply with all safety and environmental regulations, but many locals remain skeptical. As a result, the Oshibugawa Substation has become a focal point in the broader debate over how far Japan should go in pushing next-generation rail technology when there are unresolved environmental risks at the project’s doorstep.

Info based on https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/ ... 3p2oifkbh0 Accessed 2025-12-17

My boss said "any fool can critize and most do"

In Australia the 14m diameter tunnel for the SC maglev goes directly below Snowy 2 which can have HVDC cable in it saving money spent on Humelink.