The Central Japan Railway Company has decided to delay the start of its magnetically levitated train service from the initially scheduled "2027" to " 2027 or later."

The company decided at a board meeting on Thursday to make the change for the section between Tokyo's Shinagawa and Nagoya.

The firm filed for the change with the transportation ministry later in the day.

The delay is due to an objection from Shizuoka Prefecture which is along the train's route. The prefecture has not allowed the start of tunnel construction within its boundary, saying the project may cause a decline in water levels of a major river and have an adverse effect on the ecological system in the alpine area in the prefecture.

Because of the deadlock, the train operator had expressed that the launch of the operation in 2027 would be difficult. On Thursday, it formally notified the change to the government.

Shizuoka Governor Kawakatsu Heita last month indicated that he may approve preventive measures proposed by the railway company over the water level issue of a river. But he also said he wants the issue to be further discussed at the prefecture's expert panel to confirm the plan's feasibility.

Train company officials say setting a new goal for the start of the operation is difficult until Shizuoka Prefecture allows it to begin the construction work.

The Central Japan Railway's superconducting magnetically levitated train speeds along the 286 kilometer section between Shinagawa and Nagoya in 40 minutes at the fastest.