Is The Hokkaido Bullet Train On The Chopping Block?
https://www.powderlife.com/blog/is-the-hokkaido-bullet-train-on-the-chopping-block/
Citing a projected budget increase of up to JPY1.2 trillion (US$7.51 billion), the Ministry of Finance has estimated that the Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train) extension project may not be financially viable.
This puts the future of the 212 km bullet train line extension, running from the current terminus of Hakodate to Sapporo, in doubt.
The extension, which was originally scheduled to open during fiscal year 2030, has been plagued by rising material costs, labour shortages and construction issues, with its most current projected opening in early 2039.
Due to these issues, the Ministry of Finance has assessed that the cost-effectiveness ratio for the project has dropped from 0.9 to 0.6, falling into the range of projects that are often canceled.