The Nikkei Shimbun reported on March 14th that the Japanese government has announced an eight-year delay in the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train) Line to Sapporo, pushing the anticipated completion date to March 2039.
This postponement stems from significant challenges in tunnel construction, labor shortages, and escalating material costs.
Extension map graphic courtesy of the Nikkei Shimbun, edited by Patience Realty.
The extension covers a 212-kilometer stretch between Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in southern Hokkaido and Sapporo, the island's capital.
The Hokkaido Shinkansen extension was expected to further boost Niseko’s value, cutting travel time from Tokyo to Kutchan Station (Niseko) to around 4.5 hours. With this delay, those hopes are reduced significantly leaving the Niseko area still needing the better part of all day to reach from Tokyo.
Initially approved in 2012 with an estimated budget of ¥1.67 trillion (approximately $11.3 billion), the project has seen costs escalate to around ¥2.3 trillion, primarily due to rising material expenses.
Approximately 80% of the extension requires tunneling through areas with complex geological conditions.
The most severe delays have affected three tunnels:
Oshima Tunnel (Southern Hokkaido) – In 2022, a surface collapse halted construction, and continued unstable ground conditions have made progress difficult.
Yotei Tunnel (Near Niseko Area) – Large rock formations obstructed the path of tunnel boring machines, forcing multiple stoppages. Additional obstructions have been detected, raising concerns of further delays.
Sasson Tunnel (Connecting Otaru and Sapporo) – Excavation in the Sapporo section, which began in late 2024, has been slower than expected due to unexpectedly clay-rich soil.
The construction sector's labor shortages have further exacerbated delays, hindering the project's advancement.
Source:
Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)
