Damage to Tunnel Boring Machine Halts Tokyo Maglev Work

Oct 12, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Construction of an underground tunnel for Japan's Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward is expected to remain suspended for at least another six months after damage was discovered in several components of a large tunnel boring machine, according to Central Japan Railway (JR Central).

JR Central halted excavation work in July at the Kita-Shinagawa construction section after unusual noises were detected coming from the machine during underground tunneling operations.

Inspections conducted since the suspension have revealed multiple damaged components, including chipped teeth on gears connecting the machine's cutting head to its motor.

According to JR Central, further inspections and investigations are expected to take at least six months, with additional time required before excavation work can resume.

The company said the suspension is not expected to affect the planned opening schedule of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, despite the extended delay to tunneling operations in Shinagawa.

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen project is designed to connect Tokyo and Nagoya using superconducting magnetic levitation technology, with the Kita-Shinagawa section forming part of the underground infrastructure being developed for the new high-speed railway.

Source: TBS

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Damage to Tunnel Boring Machine Halts Tokyo Maglev Work

Construction of an underground tunnel for Japan's Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward is expected to remain suspended for at least another six months after damage was discovered in several components of a large tunnel boring machine, according to Central Japan Railway (JR Central).