Overview

• Osaka Prefecture and City on August 6 endorsed extending the JR Sakurajima Line by 4.9 km and the Keihan Nakanoshima Line by 2.1 km as the preferred northern access route to Yumeshima, outperforming an earlier 11 km new-build proposal.
• The combined extension project is estimated to cost approximately ¥351 billion and will enter detailed talks with operators and funding entities.
• The rail upgrades are aimed at supporting both the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo transport demand and the planned autumn 2030 opening of a casino-inclusive integrated resort on the artificial island.
• Central Japan Railway Company reported a ¥140 billion revenue gain from April to June driven by Expo passenger increases and will add 24 weekend Nozomi shinkansen services in September to enhance capacity.
• JR Tokai president Shunsuke Niwa said that routes and station decisions for the Hokuriku Shinkansen remain under the jurisdiction of the national government despite calls to revisit the Maibara alignment.