Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki on July 7 approved the start of construction on the long-stalled Shizuoka section of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev line, ending a years-long stalemate over environmental concerns that delayed the national project.

The governor’s approval paves the way for the prefecture and Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) to sign a formal construction agreement on July 18.

JR Tokai said it will commence work immediately after the procedures are complete and will then announce a revised opening date for the line.

“Understanding from prefectural residents, riverside municipalities and related organizations has steadily progressed,” Suzuki said in his remarks to the prefectural assembly, adding, “I have determined that we have reached a stage where we can conclude the agreement.”

While giving the go-ahead, he acknowledged lingering concerns.

“There are still people who have anxieties and concerns about issues such as the impact on water resources. As the prefecture, we will thoroughly address them,” Suzuki said.

The Shizuoka section is an 8.9-kilometer portion within the prefecture out of the approximately 25-km Southern Japan Alps tunnel.

It is adjacent to the Nagano section, where the depth from the surface to the tunnel reaches a maximum of 1,400 meters, and is considered one of the “most difficult” parts of the construction; the original plan estimated it would take 10 years to complete.

Construction on this section had been blocked since 2017 by former Governor Heita Kawakatsu over concerns that tunneling would reduce the flow of the Oigawa river.

-The Asahi Shimbun