Overview
- Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City said Tuesday the Naniwa-suji rail budget has risen to about ¥650 billion, nearly twice the prior ¥330 billion plan.
- The third-sector builder, Kansai Kosoku Tetsudo, told its government shareholders earlier this month it needs about ¥320 billion more because materials and labor cost more, land prices climbed, and crews must remove underground obstacles.
- Officials said they will hold talks with national authorities and private partners to decide who covers the extra cost and how the project terms might change.
- Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said the line is vital for growth and the 2031 opening target stays for now, though higher construction costs likely raise the city and prefecture burden.
- The roughly 7.4-kilometer line would add a north–south rail link through central Osaka to connect Shin-Osaka, Namba, and airport-bound lines, trimming trips to Kansai Airport by up to about 25 minutes.