新幹線耐震化、前倒し要請検討　費用、乗車代金に上乗せも―国交省

　３月の福島沖を震源とする地震で被災した東北新幹線が長期間運休したことを受け、国土交通省は、ＪＲ各社に新幹線の耐震補強計画の前倒しの要請を検討する。同省関係者への取材で１７日、分かった。
　ＪＲ各社は地震に備えた橋脚や電柱の補強計画を進めているが、費用がネックになっている。同省関係者によると、工事促進のために、新幹線乗車代金への上乗せを認めることも検討される可能性がある。
　斉藤鉄夫国交相は１７日の閣議後会見で、新幹線の脱線対策、地震対策を検討する有識者による検証委員会を設置すると発表。「あくまで技術的な検討をする」と説明したが、検証の結果、耐震工事の前倒しや費用負担が必要となれば幅広く議論されるという。初会合は今月３１日に開かれる。（2022/05/17-12:05）

The Japanese transport ministry will consider requesting Japan Railways Group firms to accelerate work on seismic reinforcement for facilities for Shinkansen bullet trains, it was learned Tuesday.
   The possible request will come after East Japan Railway Co. , or JR East, suspended part of operations of its Tohoku Shinkansen Line for a long period following a strong earthquake that mainly hit Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, both in the Tohoku northeastern Japan region, in mid-March.
   JR companies are reinforcing bridge piers and electricity poles against possible large earthquakes, but costs are a hurdle. Officials of the ministry pointed to the possibility of discussions being made on allowing them to increase Shinkansen fares to cover the reinforcement work costs.
   Transport minister Tetsuo Saito told a news conference Tuesday that a panel of experts will be set up to consider measures to minimize earthquake damage for Shinkansen operations, including those for preventing derailment.
   While noting that the panel will address technological aspects, Saito said that "broad discussions" will be held if the panel concludes that an acceleration of the seismic reinforcement work and measures to cover costs are necessary. The first meeting of the panel will be held May 31.