Yamagata Prefecture and JR East / Exchanging memorandums for the development of the Yamagata Shinkansen Yonezawa Tunnel, considering business schemes, etc.
From left: General Manager Hiroyuki Mitsubayashi, Governor Mieko Yoshimura, Managing Director Chiharu Watari
Yamagata Prefecture and JR East exchanged a memorandum of understanding on the 24th to promote the Yamagata Shinkansen "Yonezawa Tunnel (provisional name)" development plan. We will jointly conduct a survey and appeal to the government for consideration and financial support to determine the business scheme. At the same time, a comprehensive partnership agreement was concluded with the Tohoku Headquarters regarding the revitalization of railway lines in the prefecture. Over a period of 10 years, we will work together to promote the use of tourism resources, prevent disasters and countermeasures, and develop communities.
The signing ceremony held at the Yamagata Prefectural Office was attended by Governor Mieko Yoshimura of Yamagata Prefecture, JR East's Managing Director Chiharu Watari, Group Management Strategy Headquarters, and Executive Officer Hiroyuki Mitabayashi, Head of Tohoku Headquarters. have signed comprehensive partnership agreements. Governor Yoshimura said, "The realization of the Yonezawa Tunnel is directly linked to the development of the prefecture. The agreement will send a strong message that the prefecture and JR will work together." Managing Director Watari said, "We must be fully prepared for risks in the event of an unforeseen natural disaster. I would like to aim for mutual sustainable development by revitalizing the areas along the railway lines," he said, emphasizing the significance of strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Thirty years have passed since the Yamagata Shinkansen opened in 1992. It runs in the mountainous area on the border between Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures, and has been suspended or delayed due to heavy snow and other factors. For this reason, a 23-kilometer tunnel is planned between Niwasaka Station (Fukushima) and Yonezawa Station (Yamagata). The construction period will take about 15 years from start to finish, and the project cost is estimated at 150 billion yen. The gently curving tunnel is capable of speeds of over 200 kilometers per hour, and is expected to reduce the travel time from Yamagata Station to Tokyo Station by more than 10 minutes.
The prefectural government and JR will conduct a joint survey for commercialization, including considering the specific route of the tunnel. From March, we will proceed with landowner surveys and ground surface surveys, and start geological boring surveys in the next fiscal year. The prefectural government has set a debt burden action of 281 million yen over three years in the supplementary budget for September.
