Fate of Japan's fastest bullet train hangs on just 9km of track

Environmental concerns cast doubt on 2027 start of $80bn maglev line

20190927 Maglev japan

Central Japan Railway's maglev train, seen here on a test track, is designed for speeds of up to 505 kph. (Photo by Yohei Hirose)

SAKI HAYASHI and SATORU AKI, Nikkei staff writers

NAGOYA -- The opposition of a lone governor in Japan has thrown into doubt the timetable for a 9 trillion yen ($83 billion) project to build an ultrafast magnetic-levitation rail line between Tokyo and Nagoya.

The only part of the 286 km line yet to enter into construction is a roughly 9 km stretch planned to run through Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its famous views of Mount Fuji.

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