Firm Running Japan’s Narita Airport May Try to Use Eminent Domain to Expand Runways

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:00 JST, April 2, 2026

With no clear path to securing the land for extending runways at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, the airport’s operator may seek application of the land expropriation law, which allows the government to take private property for public use, according to sources. A final decision will be made after seeking the understanding of the local community.

Naoki Fujii, president of Narita International Airport Corp. (NAA), is scheduled to meet with Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Yasushi Kaneko on Thursday to inform him that as one possible option, the company is considering acquiring the land through eminent domain.

At Narita Airport, construction is underway to extend Runway B, currently 2,500 meters long, by 1,000 meters and build a Runway C that would be 3,500 meters long, amid growing aviation demand driven by foreign visitors to Japan and shipping. This is part of a government project known as the “second opening,” which will also consolidate passenger terminals and cargo areas at the airport.

However, only 88.4% of the land needed for the project had been secured as of Feb. 20, and though they were originally expected to be ready for use at the end of March 2029, the work is now expected to be delayed.**

Before Narita Airport opened in 1978, there was a fierce struggle between the government and opponents over the airport’s construction called the “Narita Conflict,” which resulted in injuries and deaths. Given this history, it is believed the airport company is seeking to minimize delays while carefully negotiating with landowners.