FUKUI, Mar 18 (News On Japan) –
The Hokuriku Shinkansen’s Kanazawa-Tsuruga part, which opened on March 16, connects all three Hokuriku prefectures by bullet practice for the primary time in over half a century for the reason that challenge’s conception.
Fukui Prefecture eagerly anticipates the financial spillover impact that was as soon as dubbed “Kanazawa’s solo victory” when the Tokyo-Kanazawa part opened. However, there are issues concerning the “cost-effectiveness” of the additional extension plan from Tsuruga to Osaka.
From Tokyo to Tsuruga in simply over 3 hours…
The new part stops at Kaga Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture, Awara Onsen, and Fukui in Fukui Prefecture. The journey from Tokyo to Tsuruga is now attainable with out transfers, decreasing journey time by roughly 50 minutes. This long-awaited opening is a major milestone for Fukui Prefecture, which had no bullet practice service till now.
Fukui: A Crossroads of History and Culture
Fukui Prefecture is understood for its gorgeous cliffs at Tojinbo, Echizen crab, and the Soto Zen Buddhism head temple, Eiheiji. It was additionally chosen as one of many “12 Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots to Visit in the World This Year” by The Washington Post. The Wakasa Bay space in Fukui flourished as a hub for transporting marine merchandise from the bay to Kyoto through the Sengoku interval. The most typical marine product was mackerel, therefore the identify “Mackerel Highway.” Fukui, as soon as a cultural crossroads with Kyoto, is now a part of the plan to increase the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga by Kyoto to Shin-Osaka.
A Potential “Catalyst” for the Regional Economy
Fukui, as soon as hailed because the gateway to the Sea of Japan, has been experiencing a inhabitants decline since its peak of 830,000 in 1999. The opening of the Tokyo-Kanazawa part of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015 noticed a 20% enhance in vacationers to Kanazawa. With direct entry to the capital area, an financial increase of roughly 30.9 billion yen yearly is anticipated.
The Cost-Effectiveness of the Extension Plan
The development value for extending the road from Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka is estimated at 2.1 trillion yen. The nationwide authorities will cowl two-thirds of the price, excluding loans to JR, whereas native governments will bear one-third. The cost-effectiveness ratio, which is the full advantages divided by the full prices, is taken into account worthwhile if it exceeds 1.0. However, the worth for the Tsuruga-Shin-Osaka part was barely worthwhile at 1.05 eight years in the past. Aomori University’s Professor Sumio Kushibiki (regional research) factors out, “The cost-effectiveness ratio may worsen from the initial forecast considering the recent surge in material and labor costs.”
Will Japan’s Main Transportation Axis Change?
While there are opinions that the extension is critical as a detour route in case of main disasters, the Tokyo-Osaka hall already consists of the prevailing Tokaido Shinkansen and the upcoming Linear Chuo Shinkansen, slated for completion in 2046. The query arises: what sort of infrastructure improvement is really obligatory for Japan, which faces inhabitants decline?
Source: TBS