The Narita International Airport Company (NAA) will apply for government project certification next month to enable the compulsory acquisition of land for a new runway [1].
This move comes as the airport faces delays in securing all necessary property in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. Because construction has already begun, the remaining land gaps threaten the overall timeline and feasibility of the expansion project [4].
According to the company, approximately 90% of the required land has already been acquired [2]. However, about 10% of the land remains outstanding [1], which the company said is hindering the progress of construction works [4].
To resolve this impasse, NAA intends to seek a business certification from the national government [1]. This legal process allows the state to authorize the forced expropriation of land when voluntary negotiations fail, and the project is deemed essential for the public interest [3].
The decision to move toward expropriation follows a period of attempted negotiations with the remaining landowners. The company said the certification is necessary to ensure that the land acquisition is finalized and the runway can be completed as planned [4].
Construction of the new runway is a critical component of the airport's long-term capacity increase. By securing the final 10% of the land [1], the NAA aims to remove the primary obstacle currently stalling the development of the site [4].
“The Narita International Airport Company (NAA) will apply for government project certification next month to enable the compulsory acquisition of land.”
The shift toward compulsory acquisition indicates that Narita International Airport has exhausted voluntary negotiation options with local landowners. Given the airport's history of intense land disputes, this move signals a prioritization of operational capacity and national infrastructure timelines over local property consensus, potentially reviving tensions between the airport operator and the surrounding community.
