This is because of the fact that Tokaido Road's prospering maritime shipping trade and its expensive prices meant that it was little used, and that there were strong objections from the Army based on the fact that Tokaido Road's proximity to the coast left it vulnerable to foreign attack.
これは東海道筋は海運が盛んで、運賃の高い鉄道は余り使用されないであろうとする見方、それに東海道筋は海に近く、外国の攻撃を受けやすいという陸軍の強い反対があったためであるとされる。