Key Facts
• August 8: Ishikawa Prefecture meeting held in Kanazawa City.
• Goal: Early full-line opening of Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka.
• Decision: Unanimous request to consider Maibara route if issues with Obama-Kyoto route remain unresolved by year-end.
• 2024: Strengthened language compared to last year’s resolution.
• Cost concerns: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism estimates higher construction costs for Obama route.
• Expert analysis: Kyoto University Professor Emeritus Dai Nakagawa to provide cost-effectiveness comparison this month.
• Transparency emphasized: Discussions require understanding from Fukui and Shiga Prefectures.
• Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase: Declared decision as “consensus of residents.”
• Alternative routes: Renewed examination of Maibara and Obama-Maizuru routes.
• Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto: Acknowledged need for further verification but highlighted challenges like JR West consent and environmental assessments.
Summary
The Ishikawa Prefecture Council has unanimously decided to request the Japanese government to consider the Maibara route for the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Shin-Osaka if issues with the current Obama-Kyoto route remain unresolved by the end of the year. This decision reflects growing concerns over rising construction costs and the need for cost-effectiveness comparisons, which are expected to be provided by Kyoto University Professor Emeritus Dai Nakagawa. Transparency and cooperation with Fukui and Shiga Prefectures are deemed essential for progress. However, challenges such as obtaining JR West’s consent and addressing environmental assessments remain significant hurdles. The council’s strengthened stance underscores the urgency of resolving these issues to achieve the goal of early full-line operation.
