Chiyoda Ward Residents Clash With City Over Proposed Marunouchi Line Extension Plan

Residents across Chiyoda Ward are raising alarm over the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's revised proposal to extend the Marunouchi Line through Nihonbashi and Koami-cho, with community leaders warning that the project threatens decades-old family businesses and affordable housing in one of the city's most economically stratified wards.

The extension plan, announced in modified form this month, would carve a new tunnel beneath residential streets currently home to around 8,500 people per square kilometre—among the highest density figures in central Tokyo. Local business associations say the 18-month construction timeline alone poses an existential threat to small retailers already struggling with post-pandemic competition.

"My father opened this fish shop in 1974. We've survived three recessions," said one local shopkeeper in the Koami area, requesting anonymity due to ongoing negotiations with the ward office. "But construction noise from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week? That's a different kind of crisis."

The Nihonbashi Community Council has formally requested a six-month extension to the consultation period, originally set to close on July 15th. Members argue that the metropolitan government's impact assessments underestimate housing displacement in a ward where average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment hovers around ¥185,000—already steep by Tokyo standards.

"The ward claims zero residential relocations are necessary," said a representative from the council. "But we've identified seventeen residential buildings directly above or adjacent to the proposed tunnel route. These numbers don't match official statements."

Ward Governor Takeshi Sato defended the project during a June 24th press conference, emphasizing accessibility improvements and reduced surface-level congestion. A metropolitan government transport spokesperson noted that the line extension would provide direct connectivity to two major hospitals and increase capacity by 23 percent during peak hours.

However, frustration is mounting among elderly residents unable to attend daytime consultation meetings due to work commitments. A residents' coalition in the Otemachi district has requested evening and weekend information sessions, citing poor accessibility of the current schedule held exclusively on weekday afternoons at the Chiyoda Ward Government Building.

The ward will host its final public hearing on July 12th. Community leaders say they'll continue demanding transparency on compensation packages and construction scheduling before any final approval.

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