Narita International Airport Corp. (NAA) in Chiba Prefecture is considering land expropriation for expansion, a move that may require delicate negotiations with residents. The airport operator plans to inform the land ministry about their intentions to gain space for new runways through the Land Expropriation Law. They are expected to make a formal decision in June, but first aim to gain understanding and support from local communities.
The history of Narita Airport has been marked by forced construction, land seizures, and protests that turned violent. However, as opposition has subsided and the benefits of the facility have been embraced, the NAA is taking caution to avoid a repeat of the past.
In October 2025, the annual cap on takeoffs and landings at Narita Airport was raised from 300,000 to 340,000 as part of the airport’s “second opening project. ” This project includes the construction of a third runway and extension of an existing runway, with the goal of eventually handling 500,000 takeoffs and landings per year. This expansion is also expected to increase cargo volume and the number of airport employees.
In order to keep up with the growing number of foreign visitors to Japan, the Japanese government has set a goal of 60 million visitors per year by 2030. As a result, efforts are being made to strengthen airport functions in the Tokyo metropolitan area. However, with limited land available for expansion at Haneda Airport, funding has been directed towards Narita Airport, which has the space for growth.
If the second opening project is realized, the combined number of takeoffs and landings at Narita and Haneda will reach approximately 1 million per year, putting them on par with major airports in cities such as London and New York. This expansion would require the acquisition of an additional 1,099 hectares of land.
The construction of Narita Airport in the Sanrizuka area of Narita city in 1966 caused confusion and opposition among local residents. This led to violent clashes with protesters and even the seizing of the airport’s control tower. However, after open dialogue and discussions between the government and airport opponents, the renouncing of coercive measures has been described as “Narita’s Constitution. ” Since then, there have been no instances of using compulsory methods for construction.
As Haneda Airport increased its international flights and other Asian airports gained prominence, Narita Airport’s position began to weaken. Economic organizations and private groups in the area have since called for a further strengthening of the airport’s functions. In February of this year, a study meeting organized by a private group advocating for the development of a new runway was attended by approximately 380 people. Some former opponents of the airport are now even calling for consideration of land expropriation.
However, the NAA is committed to avoiding past mistakes and will continue to provide careful explanations and seek understanding from local communities.