The ruling parties in Japan have started discussions over extending the Hokuriku Shinkansen line further westward from Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture). The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito plan to include related research expenses in the budget compilation for fiscal 2016 at the end of this year, and to outline a basic direction for the route extension project in 2017.
This is an initial step to narrow down three candidate routes. Under the national government’s plan, the extended Hokuriku Shinkansen line was suposed to run through Obama, Fukui Prefecture, a project which is however very costly. A Maibara route was recommended in 2013 by the Union of Kansai Governments, while others have called for construction of a Kosei route along the western side of Lake Biwa to connect Kyoto and Tsuruga. However, each of these candidate routes would run into the busy Tokaido Shinkansen line, with connected route operations believed to be difficult.
After choosing a route, a government panel will have to discuss changes in the national plan. The construction plan will also have to meet operational conditions, in principle, regarding profitability and investment effects set by the transport ministry.
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