Minami-Biwako station is the planned station between Kyoto(京都駅) and Maibara(米原駅) on Tokaido Shinkansen.
It has been a disputing station since 1969, when the special committee promoting the new station on Shinkansen was established in Ritto parliament(栗東市議会).
The station is thought to be constructed at the place which is 452.05km away from Tokyo station, under which JR Kusatsu Line(JR草津線) crosses. If Minami-Biwako station is to be constructed, a new station at the crossing point on JR Kusatsu Line is also supposed to be constructed, and then be an interchange station.
But, Yukiko Kada(嘉田由紀子), who is against the construction of Minami-Biwako station, won the governor election in Shiga prefecture(滋賀県知事選挙) on July 2nd, 2006. This incident led Shiga pref to take the measure to cancel the plan.
Later, the construction was formally cancelled to result in constructing the Lithium battery factory at the place. The construction began on November 16th,2010.
Two days ago, Association promoting the construction of Minami-Biwako station dissolved. The plan was rejected completely.
