Shizuoka Governor Yasuyuki Suzuki formally approved the start of construction for the Maglev Chuo Shinkansen in the Shizuoka section on Tuesday [1].
The decision removes a primary bottleneck for one of Japan's most ambitious infrastructure projects. The Shizuoka section had long been a point of contention due to environmental concerns, delaying the timeline for the high-speed rail link connecting Tokyo and Nagoya.
Speaking on the final day of the Shizuoka prefectural assembly, Suzuki said he will sign a natural environment conservation agreement with the project operator, JR Central [1]. He said that the conditions for starting construction have been met because environmental countermeasure discussions are now complete, and local residents have reached a level of understanding [1], [4].
"I will conclude a natural environment conservation agreement with JR Central, the business operator, regarding the construction of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen," Suzuki said [1].
Despite the approval, the project faces a lengthy construction timeline. Suzuki said the work in the Shizuoka section is expected to take at least 10 years to complete [1]. This duration suggests that the full operational debut of the Maglev line, including the Shizuoka stretch, will not occur until 2036 or later [5].
Suzuki said that the materials necessary to make a decision on construction were steadily being prepared [4]. He said that the understanding of local residents had progressed steadily [1].
The agreement focuses on mitigating the impact of tunneling on the local ecosystem and water resources. By formalizing these protections, the governor aims to balance national infrastructure goals with regional environmental stability.
“"I will conclude a natural environment conservation agreement with JR Central... regarding the construction of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen."”
The approval marks the end of a years-long political stalemate between the Shizuoka prefectural government and JR Central. While the green light allows drilling to begin, the 10-year construction estimate pushes the project's completion well into the next decade, highlighting the immense technical and environmental challenges of tunneling through the Japanese Alps.
