The government has decided to add 17 airports and ports to its list of designated facilities to allow the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) to use them even in peacetime as part of efforts to strengthen the country＊s defenses.
The newly added facilities include New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture and Sendai-Shiogama Port in Miyagi Prefecture, the government decided Wednesday.
With the designation, runways will be expanded and seawalls will be improved to prepare for use by the SDF and the JCG in potential contingencies. The latest designation will bring the total number of such facilities to 57, or 24 airports and 33 ports.
The government has earmarked ?225 billion in related costs in fiscal 2026, including funds for road development to enhance accessibility to designated facilities in Hokkaido, the Kyushu region and Okinawa Prefecture, more than doubling the ?96.8 billion in the previous year.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.