Japan's Ruling Parties Reconsider Hokuriku Shinkansen Route to Shin-Osaka Amid Opposition

Route Reconsideration Initiated by Ruling Coalition

Japan's ruling coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, a decision to reconsider the planned route for the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension between Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture and Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture. This unusual move marks a significant shift from the original plan adopted in 2016.

The existing plan, established by the then LDP-Komeito coalition, designated a route passing through Obama City in Fukui Prefecture and Kyoto Station in Kyoto Prefecture. However, this route has faced considerable opposition, particularly from some quarters in Kyoto, citing both environmental and fiscal concerns.

Escalating Costs and Environmental Objections Drive Review

A primary driver for the reconsideration is the substantial increase in projected construction costs. The initial estimate in 2016 for the extension was approximately ¥2.1 trillion, but a more recent assessment in 2024 saw this figure surge to as much as ¥3.9 trillion. Local governments along the proposed Obama-Kyoto route have voiced strong concerns regarding these soaring expenses.

Furthermore, delays in environmental impact assessment procedures have hindered the setting of a construction start date, contributing to calls from some local governments for an alternative route. Concerns about the environmental impact, particularly regarding groundwater, have also been a point of contention, leading to the dropping of one detailed route option for the Obama-Kyoto path.

Multiple Alternative Routes to be Examined

In response to the opposition and cost issues, the LDP-JIP ruling bloc has committed to examining seven alternative options proposed by the JIP, in addition to the original Obama-Kyoto plan. These proposed routes include:

• The original Obama-Kyoto Route
• The Kameoka Route, passing near Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture
• Various Maibara Routes, which could involve connecting to the Tokaido Shinkansen from JR Maibara Station in Shiga Prefecture or transferring there
• Kosai Routes, proposing either a new line on the west side of Lake Biwa or utilizing the existing JR Kosei Line
• Maizuru Routes, potentially passing through Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, and then Kyoto City, or via Maizuru and Kameoka

Following this decision, the transport ministry is expected to abandon the previous plan to commence construction on the extended section in fiscal 2026. The ruling bloc intends to hold hearings with municipalities situated along the various proposed routes starting early next year. The ultimate selection of the 'best route' will be informed by a comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis conducted by the ministry.

Hokuriku Shinkansen's Current Status and Future Outlook

The Hokuriku Shinkansen currently operates up to Tsuruga Station, with this section having opened on March 16, 2024. The extension to Shin-Osaka is the final planned segment of the line, which was originally envisioned to connect Tokyo and Osaka. While the government had previously aimed for the entire line to be completed by 2046, with construction on the Tsuruga-Shin-Osaka section expected to begin in the late 2020s and take approximately 25 years, the current reconsideration introduces uncertainty to this timeline.