The Yamanote Line, central Tokyo's main train line, will get its 30th station before the 2020 Olympics open in the capital, an official from East Japan Railway Co. said Saturday.
The first new station to be built on the loop line since 1971 will be inserted between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations on the Minato Ward waterfront, with construction beginning as early as next spring, the JR East official said.
The plan is part of a redevelopment project involving about 10 to 15 hectares of the 20-hectare Shinagawa rail yard. The project will be spurred by a rail interlink slated in March to connect lines from Tokyo with those going to Tohoku and with the Tokaido bullet train line stretching west.
The area, close to Haneda airport, is expected to become the nation's new gateway to Tokyo, with a new rail line linking the airport to the capital's central areas being mulled along with a proposal to set up a special economic zone nearby to attract foreign companies, according to the project.
The project is being undertaken by a panel led by JR East, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Minato Ward office.
