On Friday, September 11, 2026, the Tunnel Technical Seminar was held at the Committee for Roads Building in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The seminar was organized by the JICA Survey Team as part of the International Connectivity Enhancement Project.

Teppei Tomita, Area Manager at Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc. (EJEC), participated as a member of the JICA Expert Team and delivered a presentation entitled “Tunnel Construction in Environmental Protected Area in Japan”.

The seminar, held under the theme “Building Safer Tunnels, Connecting the Future: From Japanese Expertise to Uzbekistan’s Future” , the seminar provided an opportunity to share Japanese knowledge of tunnel planning, construction, and environmental consideration. It also supported discussion on the development of safe tunnel infrastructure and future international connectivity. Presentations were given to representatives of the Committee for Roads, JICA, and related organizations on tunnel engineering developed in Japan’s mountainous and environmentally sensitive settings, environmental impact prediction and mitigation, and the approach to long-term monitoring.

Following an outline of the project, the seminar featured presentations on tunnel construction in Japan and on planning and construction in environmentally protected areas.

As Area Manager of the Tunnel Group in EJEC’s Transportation Infrastructure Department, International Branch, Mr. Tomita serves on the JICA Expert Team. His presentation introduced planning and design approaches that balance infrastructure development with environmental conservation in Japan’s complex natural settings.

The presentation stressed that environmental considerations must begin at the early planning stage, including the identification of key environmental receptors and examination of alignments and structural options that avoid impacts. Where avoidance is difficult, impacts can be minimized by combining measures such as low-noise and low-vibration construction, water-tight linings, groundwater prediction, and monitoring.

Following the presentations on tunnel engineering and environmental consideration, participants exchanged questions and views during the seminar.

In connection with the seminar, Mr. Tomita was interviewed about tunnel technology and environmental considerations in Japan. The interview video is available through the following post on the Committee for Roads’ official Telegram channel.

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The seminar provided an opportunity for Uzbekistan’s road and infrastructure stakeholders to exchange practical knowledge with Japanese experts on tunnel engineering and environmental consideration. Participants deepened their shared understanding that safety, constructability, and environmental protection must be addressed in an integrated manner.