slate #2

リニア開業の是非が論じられた話題になります。

slateは以前UG先生が解説されておりますので此方も併せてご確認下さい。(cf.slate - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から)赤字の箇所は、第二語義の「[・・・する]予定である[to do]」（『ジーニアス英和辞典　第３版』大修館）という定義になり、確認のためMerriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, 11th Editionも参照してみますと’to designate for a specified purpose or action : SCHEDULE’と掲載されていました。(Shou-VR*)

Is it acceptable to be in such a hurry?

According to Reijiro Hashiyama, 73, a public works expert and a visiting professor at Chiba University of Commerce, the magnetically levitated (maglev) bullet train project is the nation's most foolish long-term plan.

First of all, there is no demand. In an era of population decline, the maglev would be competing against the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, whose seats are already filled to only 60 percent of capacity. Secondly, with construction expected to cost over 9 trillion yen, there's no way the project will be profitable.

Moreover, the maglev system would eat up too much electricity -- predicted between three to five times the existing Shinkansen bullet train -- and would have a significant impact on the natural environment. It cannot be interlinked with existing train lines, and the majority of the system would be 40 meters underground, posing a grave challenge in rescuing passengers in case of accidents.

Construction of the maglev line is set to begin next year despite warnings from critics, and according to tax reform proposals released earlier this month, land procurement for the project will not be taxed. Was this the right decision to make? Do we really need a maglev line? Has this really been thought through? It's not too late to ask these questions.

Running at a maximum 505 kilometers per hour, the maglev Chuo Shinkansen Line will transport passengers between Tokyo and Nagoya in 40 minutes, and Tokyo and Osaka in 67 minutes. Service on the Tokyo-Nagoya route is slated to begin in 2027, and with the completion of the remainder of the line, the Tokyo-Osaka route is set to begin operations in 2045.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20131223p2a00m0na015000c.html