Japan news: Shinkansen costs, water infrastructure, and typhoons

In Saga Prefecture, former Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism official Satoshi Mizushima met with Governor Yoshitaka Yamaguchi to discuss the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen. The meeting followed a July agreement to conduct an environmental impact assessment for the section between Shin-Tosu and Takeo-Onsen. Mizushima clarified that the government has not promised a cap on the financial burden for Saga Prefecture regarding the route.

In Toyama City, a symposium was held to mark the 90th anniversary of the local water and sewage services. Discussions focused on sustainability challenges, including aging infrastructure, declining populations, and shrinking revenue. Experts suggested integrating operations between multiple municipalities to ensure long-term stability.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the triple typhoon situation in the Pacific has transitioned to a double typhoon state. Typhoon 28 (Noro) is moving toward the east of Japan, while Typhoon 29 (Koguma) is developing near Wake Island and is expected to reach the Ogasawara region as a strong typhoon.