Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki is expected to announce his approval for construction of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen's Shizuoka section on July 7 [1].
This decision removes a critical administrative hurdle for the maglev project, which has faced years of delays over environmental concerns in the prefecture. The approval allows Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) to move forward with the high-speed link between Tokyo and Nagoya.
Governor Suzuki said that the materials necessary for a decision on construction are steadily being prepared and that he believes he can present a position in the near future [4]. The governor said the path toward this decision was a major hurdle [5].
The shift comes after a specialized committee judged that the environmental preservation measures for the Shizuoka section were appropriate [6]. These measures were developed through dialogue between the prefecture and JR Central to address concerns regarding water resources, and geological stability.
With the governor's expected approval, the project aims for an opening as early as 2036 [1]. Some reports indicate that construction could potentially begin by the end of 2026 [2]. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the exact timeline, with some sources suggesting work could have started as early as May or June [3].
The Linear Chuo Shinkansen uses superconducting maglev technology to float trains above the tracks, significantly reducing travel time between Japan's major hubs. The Shizuoka section has remained the most contentious segment of the route due to the region's complex geography and environmental sensitivities.
“"The materials necessary for a decision on construction are steadily being prepared."”
The approval by Governor Suzuki signals a transition from political deadlock to technical execution. By validating the environmental safeguards, the Shizuoka government has effectively cleared the path for JR Central to finalize the most delayed portion of the maglev line, though the 2036 target remains ambitious given the scale of remaining subterranean work.
