Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen: Kitakyushu and Four Prefectures Seek Selection for the National "Case Study for Basic-Plan Routes" (May to August 2026)Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen: Kitakyushu and others are asking to be chosen for the national "case study"
From May to August 2026 (Reiwa 8), Kitakyushu City published a series of moves toward the Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen (Kitakyushu - Oita - Miyazaki - Kagoshima). The four prefectures and the city passed a resolution and made requests to have the line selected for the "case study for basic-plan routes", which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is carrying out for the first time with this year's budget, and on August 7 the ministry announced a competitive proposal call for the case study. Construction has not been decided.The Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen is a line from Kitakyushu to Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima that was written into a national plan in 1973. But it has not been decided that it will be built. The national government is about to start a "case study" to examine such lines, and Kitakyushu and four prefectures are asking to be chosen.
- 1973The Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen is set in the basic plan
- May 27, 2026The association resolves to seek selection for the case study (Shimonoseki)
- July 14, 2026Petition to the Director-General of the Railway Bureau
- August 7, 2026The ministry announces the call for case study proposals
- August 31, 2026Fukuoka association inaugural meeting (announced)
- ○Applies: The national government plans a case study (an examination) and has issued a notice
- ○Applies: Four prefectures and one city are working together and asking to be chosen
- ×Does not apply: It has already been decided to build the Shinkansen
- ×Does not apply: The route and opening time have been decided