"While we cannot predict the new opening date at this point, we will continue to aim to launch it as soon as possible," the company said in a document released ahead of a meeting of experts at the transport ministry.
The Linear Chuo Shinkansen project is intended to link
Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu declined to comment on JR Central's confirmation it has abandoned the original opening date, telling reporters he has "yet to receive notification" of the decision.
Kawakatsu has cited environmental impact concerns in opposing the project, which requires extensive tunnels for the vast majority of its 286-km route to
The document from JR Central cites the inability for construction to begin in the Shizuoka section as the "direct cause" for the delay in completing the
Chief Cabinet Secretary
In December, JR Central revised its opening date to 2027 or later, but maintained it was not the case that it had abandoned delivery by the target year or delayed the project.
The high-speed rail line was intended to be rolled out in two phases, with the
Once completed, the project is expected to link
JR Central has said the new line could bring about economic benefits from faster transit times, and serve as a vital backup between the country's three major metropolises in the event of major disasters such as powerful earthquakes involving potential tsunami.
==Kyodo
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