Initially, the governor of Fukui Prefecture, Eizo KITA, accommodated the plan 'Framework on Hanko Canal' (阪敦運河構想) to connect the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea via Lake Biwa, but because Sukenori HIRATA, who was then the mayor of Yokkaichi City, was keen on the plan, the alliance for the construction of the canal to connect Wakasa Bay and Ise Bay via Lake Biwa (at a total cost of 250 to 350 billion yen) was formed with Banboku ONO, the Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party, as chairman, among Fukui Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Mie Prefecture, Nagoya City, Tsuruga City and Yokkaichi City.
当初は、琵琶湖から日本海と瀬戸内海を結ぶ阪敦運河構想を北栄造福井県知事が調整し始めたが、当時の平田佐矩四日市市長が熱心だったこともあり、福井県・滋賀県・岐阜県・愛知県・三重県、名古屋市・敦賀市・四日市市の間で、自民党副総裁の大野伴睦を会長に、総工費2500億円～3500億円に及ぶ若狭湾～琵琶湖～伊勢湾を結ぶ運河の建設期成同盟が結成された。