Japan government identifies 5 airports and 11 seaports for potential defense upgrades

The Japanese government has designated five airports and 11 seaports for upgrades to be used by the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard. The plan, with a budget of 37 billion yen, aims to enhance facilities for fighter jets and ships. These facilities will be utilized by the SDF and Coast Guard in daily operations and emergencies, while the private sector remains the main user.

The Japanese government approved a plan to upgrade five airports and 11 seaports for potential use by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Japan Coast Guard. This initiative, with a budget of 37 billion yen for the first year, aims to enhance facilities to accommodate fighter jets, SDF transport aircraft, and large ships such as destroyers.

The designated airports will have runways extended and aprons widened, while docks in ports will be constructed deeper and well-equipped. A report by Kyodo News stated that local governments managing these facilities are expected to sign agreements with the Central government, specifying that the SDF and Coast Guard will utilize them in both daily operations and emergencies, as quoted by Xinhua news agency.

The five airports identified for upgrades are located in the southwestern Kyushu prefectures of Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Miyazaki, as well as in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, which hosts a significant portion of US forces in Japan. Additionally, 11 seaports have been designated for improvements, with five in Hokkaido, four in Kagawa and Kochi prefectures on the western main island of Shikoku, and one each in Fukuoka and Okinawa prefectures.