【北海道新幹線10周年】札幌延伸阻む…巨大な岩や湧き水との闘いが続くトンネル工事　最大1.2兆円の追加費用と開業8年先送りで岐路に立つ巨大事業の行方

We'll bring you a live report from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the 26th, the day the Hokkaido Shinkansen celebrated its 10th anniversary since opening. Reporter Iori Asahara: Shortly now, the Hayabusa 44 bound for Tokyo, departing at 6:40 PM, will be arriving at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. A large-scale celebratory event was held last weekend, so there are few passengers today, a weekday, but those who are here are enjoying taking photos with the Shinkansen. Today, the 26th, marks the 10th anniversary of its opening. We've compiled some images from this milestone day. This is Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine on the morning of the 26th. Shrine Priest: "Here you go." Worshipper: "Yes, thank you." The worshipper is receiving a limited-edition Goshuin (shrine stamp) commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Hokkaido Shinkansen's opening. Visitor from Tokyo: "It's cool. I feel lucky that it's the 10th anniversary." The Hokkaido Shinkansen has reached its 10th anniversary since opening. Today, too, many tourists with large suitcases were visible at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. From Taiwan: "It's fast, so it's convenient." From Tokyo: "This is my first time on the Hokkaido Shinkansen. After this, I'll go to Goryokaku, sightsee in Hakodate city, and then take a night flight back to Tokyo." Meanwhile, regarding the extension to Sapporo, which will be delayed until after the end of fiscal year 2038, Hakodate residents said… Hakodate Resident: "If it goes all the way to Sapporo, it will be even more convenient." "Even if it becomes more convenient, I wonder. I don't know if I'll still be alive then." Reporter Iori Asahara: We're reporting again from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. Although it's not visible yet, the Hayabusa 44 bound for Tokyo is scheduled to arrive soon. The train is scheduled to depart at 6:40 PM, but there aren't many passengers lined up. There were probably around 10 people there. Actually, the Hokkaido Shinkansen has about 4,700 passengers per day. At the time of its opening, it had around 6,200 passengers, so it's clear that the number is declining. As a result, JR Hokkaido is running an annual deficit of over 10 billion yen. When interviewing local officials, including Mayor Hokuto Ikeda, many say that "the Shinkansen will only truly realize its potential once it's extended to Sapporo." This is because there are expectations that reducing the travel time between Sapporo and Hakodate to about an hour will increase not only tourism demand but also business travel. And now, we can hear the sound. Can you see it? We can see the headlights of "Hayabusa 44." The Hokkaido Shinkansen "Hayabusa 44," celebrating its 10th anniversary, is now pulling into the platform. With the opening of the Sapporo extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, and the travel time between Sapporo and Hakodate to about an hour, there are expectations that not only tourism demand but also business travel will increase. However, the extension to Sapporo has been significantly delayed from fiscal year 2030 to at least the end of fiscal year 2038. One of the reasons for this is the "Oshima Tunnel" leading towards Sapporo. Site official: "We are entering the main tunnel for the Shinkansen." The Oshima Tunnel is one of the biggest obstacles to the Sapporo extension. It stretches approximately 32 kilometers from near Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to Yakumo Town. Governor Suzuki inspects the tunnel construction – the reason is… Last Saturday, just before the 10th anniversary of the line's opening, Governor Suzuki inspected the construction. This site holds the key to the Sapporo extension. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki "The enthusiasm of the local people is great, and while 30 years would have been closer, the fact that it's 38 years or later makes it difficult to cultivate the necessary momentum." 80% of the Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo section is tunnels; construction difficulties delay opening Of the 212 kilometers of the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo, 80% is tunnels. Surveying all the geological conditions was difficult, and construction has been hampered. The planned opening to Sapporo by the end of fiscal year 2030 has been significantly delayed to at least the end of fiscal year 2038. In this Daibayama section, the hard and soft ground are intricately intertwined, increasing the risk of soil collapse, and construction can only progress at a rate of 25 meters per month. Yasuyuki Tsuzuki, Director, Hokkaido Shinkansen Construction Bureau, Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency "With such a large cross-section, this is such a small boring, so we can't understand everything." Tunnel Construction...Steady Progress Even in Sapporo's City Center Shinkansen tunnel construction is actually progressing even in the city of Sapporo. Koyuki Imoto, Reporter "It's coming along quite well. The tunnel entrance and exit are made of concrete. The Shinkansen will em...