Shizuoka and JR Central sign agreement to begin construction of Chuo Shinkansen
The Natural Environment Conservation Agreement signed on 18 July 2026 ends the stalemate, allowing tunnelling and infrastructure work to commence within the prefecture.
Shizuoka Prefecture and JR Central have signed a Natural Environment Conservation Agreement, a critical prerequisite that allows construction on the Chuo Shinkansen high-speed rail line within the region to finally begin. The agreement, formalised on 18 July 2026, resolves a prolonged stalemate that had previously frozen development on the project in Shizuoka.
According to reporting from NHK News Japan, the signing marks a decisive shift in the governance of the infrastructure project. The Chuo Shinkansen is described by the operator as a next-generation transport artery, and this development clears the final regulatory hurdle for JR Central to proceed with tunnelling and associated works in the prefecture.
The Natural Environment Conservation Agreement was established to address environmental concerns, serving as the mandatory condition for the operator to resume physical construction. By securing this pact, Shizuoka Prefecture and JR Central have effectively ended the deadlock that had stalled progress for an extended period.
JR Central is now positioned to commence its operational phase within Shizuoka. The operator will move forward with the physical infrastructure works that were previously held in abeyance, marking the first tangible step in the project’s implementation within the region since the stalemate began.
While the agreement unlocks the construction phase, specific details regarding the timeline for tunnelling or the immediate next steps were not fully detailed in the initial reporting. The focus now shifts to the execution of the infrastructure works under the terms of the newly signed conservation agreement.
