Response to the Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section Issue

「引き続き、静岡工区のトンネル掘削工事の早期着手に向けて、地域の皆様に理解を深めていただけるよう、双方向のコミュニケーションを大切にしながら、真摯に取り組みます。」

「Of the matters identified by Shizuoka Prefecture as requiring dialogue, discussions on all water-resource-related items were completed in June. In addition, we held an exchange of views with the mayors of the 8 cities and 2 towns in the Oi River basin in July.」

「Of the matters identified by Shizuoka Prefecture as requiring dialogue, discussions on all water-resource-related items were completed in June. In addition, we held an exchange of views with the mayors of the 8 cities and 2 towns in the Oi River basin in July.」

「In addition, we held an exchange of views with the mayors of the 8 cities and 2 towns in the Oi River basin last November and began briefing sessions on initiatives to protect the Oi River’s water in March. We will continue to work sincerely toward the early start of tunnel excavation in the Shizuoka Section, emphasizing two-way communication to gain the understanding and cooperation of local communities.」

「In addition, the president met with the newly inaugurated governor of Shizuoka Prefecture in June. We will continue to work sincerely toward the early start of tunnel excavation in the Shizuoka Section, emphasizing two-way communication to gain the understanding and cooperation of local communities.」

「Subsequently, in February, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established the “Monitoring Committee for the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line” to continuously monitor the status of measures identified in the expert panel’s reports on water resources and environmental conservation from scientific and objective perspectives. At the second meeting, held in March, we presented the construction plan for the Shizuoka Section and explained that, as 6 years and 4 months had already passed since the construction contract was signed, the Shizuoka Section was directly linked to the delay in the opening of the Shinagawa–Nagoya section and opening in 2027 could not be achieved.」

「As part of these measures, in December 2023 we signed a basic agreement with power generation operators on a plan to limit water withdrawals for power generation and return the water to the Oi River. Discussions on environmental conservation in the Southern Alps continued at the expert panel, which finalized the “Report on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line (2023 Report) — Examination of Environmental Conservation” in December 2023.」

「As part of these measures, we have continued discussions with power generation operators since June on a plan to limit water withdrawals for power generation and return the water to the Oi River. Discussions on environmental conservation in the Southern Alps have also continued at the expert panel. In addition, we held an exchange of views with the mayors of municipalities in the Oi River basin in September.」

「As part of these measures, in June we began discussions with power generation operators on a plan to limit water withdrawals for power generation and return the water to the Oi River.」

「Regarding the impact on the Oi River’s water resources, based on the “Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue” finalized in December two years ago by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line,” we have been considering measures to return to the Oi River, for a certain period during construction, an amount of tunnel spring water equal to the amount exceptionally flowing outside Shizuoka Prefecture, and have been explaining them to Shizuoka Prefecture and other parties since April last year. In addition, since July last year we have accepted opinions and questions to help guide future initiatives concerning the Oi River’s water resources and explanations to local communities, responding individually and publishing the main opinions, questions and answers last October.」

「Regarding the impact on the Oi River’s water resources, based on the “Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue” finalized last December by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line,” we are considering measures to return to the Oi River, for a certain period during construction, an amount of tunnel spring water equal to the amount exceptionally flowing outside Shizuoka Prefecture, and have been explaining them to Shizuoka Prefecture and other parties since April. In addition, in July we began accepting opinions and questions to help guide future initiatives concerning the Oi River’s water resources and explanations to local communities.」

「Regarding the impact on the Oi River’s water resources, based on the “Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue” finalized last December by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line,” we considered measures to return to the Oi River, for a certain period during construction, an amount of tunnel spring water equal to the amount exceptionally flowing outside Shizuoka Prefecture, and explained them to Shizuoka Prefecture in April. Discussions on environmental conservation, including the ecosystem of the Southern Alps, also began at the expert panel in June. We will continue to respond sincerely to gain the understanding and cooperation of local communities.」

「Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established the “Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line” in April two years ago to seek a solution through scientific and engineering discussions, and the “Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue” was finalized in December last year. We also held an exchange of views with the mayors of municipalities in the Oi River basin last September. Based on the expert panel’s interim report, we will respond sincerely to gain the understanding and cooperation of local communities.」

「At the 12th meeting held in September this year, the panel discussed the “Draft Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue” and indicated its policy of finalizing it at the next meeting. We also held an exchange of views with the mayors of the municipalities in the Oi River basin during the same month.」

「At the 11th meeting held in April this year, the panel discussed the “Draft Interim Report on the Oi River Water Resources Issue.” We will continue working to alleviate the concerns of people in the Oi River basin by responding sincerely to the panel and through other measures.」

「We will continue to respond sincerely to the panel, work to alleviate local concerns and achieve an early solution, and pursue the early start of construction on the Shizuoka Section and the early opening of the Shinagawa–Nagoya section.」

「We will continue to respond sincerely to the panel, work to alleviate local concerns and achieve an early solution, and pursue the early start of construction on the Shizuoka Section and the early opening of the Shinagawa–Nagoya section.」

「Against this backdrop, in April 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established the “Expert Panel on the Shizuoka Section of the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Line” to seek a solution to this issue through scientific and engineering discussions. We are making efforts to resolve local concerns and achieve an early solution by responding sincerely to the panel.」