SHIZUOKA, May 28, 2026 (News On Japan) –
JR Tokai held its first-ever resident briefing session in Shizuoka City on May twenty sixth relating to building of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, outlining measures for water useful resource administration and environmental conservation as the corporate seeks to achieve native help forward of the beginning of building in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The briefing started at 10 a.m. at a corridor in Shizuoka City, drawing consideration because the timing of the prefecture’s determination on whether or not to approve building continues to be carefully watched.
The occasion targeted on JR Tokai’s countermeasures regarding water assets within the Oi River basin and environmental safety within the Southern Alps area. Company representatives used presentation panels and responded on to questions from residents.
Around 120 residents attended the session, which additionally included officers from Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Linear Chuo Shinkansen challenge reached a serious turning level in March 2026, when all 28 dialogue objects between JR Tokai and a prefectural professional panel—circumstances set by the prefecture previous to building approval—have been accomplished. In April, a separate session physique organized by Shizuoka City additionally concluded its discussions, successfully bringing greater than a decade of debate over the challenge to a detailed.
Some members expressed concern over the prefecture’s stance towards approval.
One attendee mentioned, “There are still areas where opinions differ, but I think they are formally presenting data and explanations. After attending today, I became worried that the prefecture may be rushing toward approval.”
Another participant mentioned the reasons have been troublesome for abnormal residents to completely perceive and famous that the massive variety of attendees made it unimaginable to ask questions throughout the allotted time.
Outside the venue, civic teams referred to as on JR Tokai to proceed offering explanations till residents are absolutely glad.
A consultant from the residents’ group “620,000-Person Movement to Protect the Water of the Oi River” urged the federal government, prefecture, specialists, and JR Tokai to carry a joint public briefing session.
Another civic group additionally held a press convention on May twenty sixth requesting explanatory conferences involving nationwide authorities officers and unbiased specialists.
JR Tokai’s briefing periods in Shizuoka City will proceed on May twenty seventh, with further conferences scheduled in 10 municipalities throughout the Oi River basin via June twentieth.
Takaaki Einaga, head of JR Tokai’s Shizuoka Construction Office for the Chuo Shinkansen, mentioned, “We believe the most important thing is to carefully explain each step of what we are planning to do and deepen public understanding.”
Attention is now shifting to how Governor Yasutomo Suzuki will consider whether or not ample public understanding has been achieved earlier than approving building within the Shizuoka part.
Suzuki has said that unanimous help is unrealistic in any state of affairs, including that he’ll make his determination after assessing the extent and high quality of JR Tokai’s explanations to residents.
The governor has additionally indicated that no determination on building may be made till the general public briefing periods are accomplished, which means a political judgment is unlikely earlier than June twentieth.
Before building can start, JR Tokai should nonetheless full procedures required beneath legal guidelines together with the River Act, and conclude an settlement with Shizuoka Prefecture beneath the prefecture’s environmental conservation ordinance. The signing of that settlement is anticipated to be the ultimate procedural step earlier than approval.
Source: SBSnews6