Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Suzuki Yasutomo intends to approve the start of construction for the Shizuoka section of the Linear Central Shinkansen [1].

This decision removes a major political hurdle for the high-speed rail project, which aims to connect Shinagawa in Tokyo and Nagoya. The Shizuoka section has long been a point of contention due to the region's sensitive ecology and the high financial burden of the project.

Governor Suzuki said he intends to explain his decision to the Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly on July 7 [3]. The project involves a maglev system capable of reaching a maximum operating speed of 500 km/h [6]. To achieve these speeds and navigate the terrain, approximately 90% of the segment between Shinagawa and Nagoya will be built in tunnels [7].

Despite the move toward approval, the project faces significant criticism. The construction of these tunnels is estimated to reduce the water flow of the Ōi River by up to two tonnes per second [9]. This environmental risk, combined with high construction costs, remains a central point of debate [4]. Reports indicate that 620,000 people could potentially be affected by the impacts of the construction [8].

Critics have questioned the timing of the approval process. Journalist Kazuya Kobayashi asked, "Why could this not have been done sooner?" [5]. The project has already seen significant delays, but the earliest projected opening year for the line is now 2036 [10].

Suzuki said, "I want to explain my own judgment to the members of the prefectural assembly on July 7" [2].

“The project involves a maglev system capable of reaching a maximum operating speed of 500 km/h.”

The potential approval by Governor Suzuki signals a shift in regional politics that could finally allow the Linear Central Shinkansen to proceed through one of Japan's most contested corridors. However, the project's viability still hinges on balancing the economic benefits of ultra-high-speed transit against the risk of permanent hydrological damage to the Ōi River basin.