In a significant step toward the long-anticipated Linear Chuo Shinkansen, a national monitoring conference was held on March 25, 2025, in Shizuoka City. The meeting aimed to oversee Japan Railways Tokai's (JR Tokai) environmental measures and preparations concerning the Shizuoka construction section. Attendees included government officials, university professors, and representatives from local municipalities, alongside the mayors of cities and towns in the Oi River basin.
During the meeting, Shizuoka City Mayor Yohei Nanba discussed the progress of the dialogue between JR Tokai and Shizuoka Prefecture while also reporting on the excavation status of advanced pits near the prefectural border. He elaborated on discussions held by the city's Business Impact Assessment Council, highlighting the city's initiative to independently evaluate the environmental consequences of the project.
Mayor Nanba reported that the City has identified three swamps that could significantly impact the ecosystem. These areas will be closely monitored, with adaptability in management strategies that can change according to construction progress. The surveys will run from spring through autumn, focusing on the ecological health of these sites as construction proceeds.
The importance of these swamps was underscored by university professors attending the monitoring conference. They expressed concerns regarding the selection of these sites and prompted discussions about the methodologies applied in their investigations. “It is crucial that the surveys do not overlap with the 15 wetland locations currently being targeted by the prefecture,” noted a committee member, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to avoid redundancy.
After the meeting, Deputy Governor Takashi Mori of Shizuoka Prefecture assured that the local government would enhance communication with Shizuoka City to streamline the investigation process between both entities. “We have coordinated with Shizuoka City before, but we want to strengthen our communication and proceed further with discussions,” he stated.
The conference addressed 28 key dialogue points the prefecture seeks to discuss with JR Tokai regarding issues like water management and biodiversity. As of now, 8 of those items have been resolved, while discussions on 18 items continue, and two issues remain unaddressed.
The Linear Chuo Shinkansen, which began construction in 2014, represents a major leap in Japanese rail technology. The new line connects Tokyo and Osaka and utilizes superconducting magnet technology for its operation. The trains boast a maximum speed of approximately 500 kilometers per hour, which is nearly double the existing Tokaido Shinkansen speed. This advancement is expected to reduce the travel time from Tokyo's Shinagawa station to Nagoya from roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes to just 40 minutes.
The upcoming conference marks a critical effort to ensure that environmental factors are adequately assessed and managed as this cutting-edge transportation project progresses. The city’s proactive stance on environmental concerns potentially indicates a shift in how infrastructure projects will engage with ecological policies moving forward.
In concluding remarks, Mayor Nanba stressed the city’s commitment to monitoring and adapting management practices to safeguard the ecosystems affected by the new construction, ensuring that Shizuoka’s natural heritage can coexist with ongoing developments.
