Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates


Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Japan’s Tokyo-Nagoya maglev rail line project construction has been suspended due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Last week, the Japanese Government declared a state of emergency as the number of cases continue to rise in the country.

The 236km-long magnetic-levitation line, which is expected to reduce the journey between Tokyo and Nagoya to 40min, is being developed by Central Japan Railway.

Construction work has stopped in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Nikkei Asian Review quoted a company representative as saying that ‘individual decisions will be made after verifying the intentions of contracting companies’.

The rail line is expected to start operations by 2027.

The state of emergency announced by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe covers Tokyo, along with six other prefectures.

The rail project suspensions in the affected areas are expected to last until 6 May and will continue if the restrictions are extended.

Some of the other affected companies are Japanese contractor Shimizu, Nishimatsu Construction and Tokyu Construction, who is in talks with clients regarding the suspensions.

The pandemic has so far claimed more than 120,000 lives around the world and infected more than 1.9 million people. Japan has reported more than 7,600 confirmed cases with 143 deaths.

Last week, China restarted the construction work on all metro and railway projects that were suspended due to the pandemic.

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Winning the Innovation Award in the Reservation Systems category, EAO’s advanced seat reservation system tackles urbanisation and rising mobility demands head on. Explore how its adaptable HMI, modular design and energy saving display technology help operators boost capacity utilisation and improve the passenger experience.

Discover the Impact