Maglev Line’s Operation in 2030s Now a More Realistic Possibility as Shizuoka Pref. Removes Barriers to Construction

By Takumi Shibutani and Shodai Niki / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

1:00 JST, March 28, 2026

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev train now appears to be on track to begin operations in the 2030s.

The Shizuoka prefectural government had refused to permit the start of construction in the Shizuoka section due to concerns including possible reduced water flow in the Oi River, which runs through the prefecture. However, a committee comprising prefectural government officials, Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) officials and experts wrapped up discussions Thursday on environmental protection issues that had been assessed. The focus will shift now to the opinions of local residents and the looming decision of Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki on whether to grant approval. The barriers to starting construction on the Shizuoka section have now mostly been removed.

“If the various conditions have been cleared, I think it’s possible that [construction] could begin before the end of this year,” Shizuoka Deputy Gov. Sho Hiraki said at a meeting of the committee held at the prefectural government office Thursday. Hiraki, who heads a prefectural task force on the Chuo Shinkansen, was speaking after all the outstanding issues that had been examined were resolved.

The prefectural government had sought dialogue with JR Tokai on a total of 28 issues – six related to local water resources, 17 to biodiversity and five to soil generated by tunnel excavation. These matters were discussed by the committee, which on Thursday completed its discussions on the final eight issues, pertaining to biodiversity including environmental protection in the Southern Alps. This marked a major milestone toward the start of construction.

The prefectural government will establish a system to monitor the impact of construction on the environment. The prefectural government plans to ask the central government to instruct JR Tokai to take remedial steps in the event that the railway operator’s handling of this issue falls short.

Former Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu had refused to allow construction of the Shizuoka section due to concerns including the project’s negative impact on people’s lives and local industries. The 28 issues that were compiled while Kawakatsu was in office included steps to prevent spring water that flows to the Oi River being lost to other prefectures; protecting the natural environment in the Southern Alps; and disposal methods for excavated soil that requires treatment because it contains naturally occurring heavy metals.

In June 2025, JR Tokai presented a plan to protect the water resources through such steps as maintaining the river’s flow rate by limiting the volume of water taken from the Oi River to the Tashiro Dam. The committee has cleared all six water-related issues. On March 19, the committee also approved and settled on containment methods for soil that requires treatment after being excavated during the tunnel construction process.

Suzuki had stated that reaching an understanding on all 28 items would be a condition for deciding whether to allow construction to start on the Shizuoka section. Suzuki is expected to issue a decision giving the green light after JR Tokai holds explanatory meetings for the public and other steps are taken.

“It’s essential that JR Tokai explain the situation to residents who live in the Oi River’s catchment area and thoroughly complete the required procedures based on various laws and regulations,” Suzuki said in a statement issued Thursday.

The Shizuoka section is expected to take 10 years to complete. If construction begins before the end of this year, it is possible that operations on the Chuo Shinkansen could begin in the 2030s.

New governor turned tide

Water resources were the biggest concern impeding construction of the Shizuoka section.

Kawakatsu revealed his opposition to the project at a press conference in October 2017. In June 2020, Kawakatsu expressed strong misgivings during his first meeting with then JR Tokai President Shin Kaneko, saying: “The Oi River is the water of life. Any water that is lost won’t come back.” In April 2022, JR Tokai proposed a plan to return to the river any spring water that had flowed to the Yamanashi Prefecture side during the construction process. However, Kawakatsu took a pessimistic view of this proposal, and discussions on steps aimed at starting construction got bogged down. In March 2024, the railway operator abandoned its goal of starting operations on the maglev line in 2027.

The arrival of a new governor turned the tide on this issue. Kawakatsu came under fire for a comment that derided people in certain occupations, and he stepped down midway through his term in May 2024. His successor, Suzuki, immediately took a more favorable stance toward the new Shinkansen line. “It’s important that the prefectural government works with JR Tokai, the state and local governments in the Oi River catchment area to resolve the issues before us,” Suzuki said.

Suzuki reversed a string of previously adopted positions, including allowing excavation work and boring surveys within Yamanashi Prefecture near the border with Shizuoka, which Kawakatsu had turned down.

Suzuki also made efforts to build a consensus on compensation for any water resource issues that arise during construction.

In January, in the presence of a senior Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry official, Suzuki and JR Tokai signed a letter of agreement on what steps the rail operator would take if construction affected the volume of water flowing in the Oi River. This agreement specified that JR Tokai would not require the prefectural and affected local governments to prove a causal relationship between construction and the impact on water usage; a monitoring body involving the land ministry would confirm any impact arising from construction; and JR Tokai would take any necessary steps to deal with such issues. The agreement contained no mention of a time limit and JR Tokai will shoulder all costs.

“We made concessions as much as we could so operations [on the new line] can start as soon as possible,” a JR Tokai official told The Yomiuri Shimbun.