Japan’s SoftBank in talks over transmission line project

A venture set up by Japan’s SoftBank Group and partners is holding talks with local governments on the northern island of Hokkaido on the feasibility of a transmission line project intended to boost wind power capacity.

The venture is considering a freeze on the project, Kyodo News agency reported without attribution Wednesday. The Hokkaido Shimbun, a local newspaper, carried a similar report. Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui & Co. and Hokkaido Electric Power Co. are also taking part in the project, which is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The venture is holding talks with officials from 11 local governments this week and plans to announce a decision next week, Kenichi Yuasa, a spokesman for SoftBank, said by phone. SoftBank’s clean-energy unit has been considering 600 megawatts of wind capacity in the region along the northwestern coast, Yuasa said. Bloomberg