Latest news with #NaritaInternationalAirport
Japan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Narita Airport eyes completion of 3rd runway by end-March 2029
Narita International Airport on Sunday marked the start of full construction work to expand its capacity, including the addition of a third runway to be completed by the end of March 2029. As a result, the airport in Chiba Prefecture, which services Tokyo, will see the number of its annual landing and takeoff slots jump to 500,000 from the current 300,000. Including slots at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, the combined annual flights at the two main airports serving the capital will reach 1 million. As part of the ¥670-billion project, a 3,500-meter runway will be built while the 2,500-meter Runway B will be extended by 1,000 meters. The total land area of the airport will increase by 1,099 hectares, almost double the current size. The airport operator has secured 83% of the land needed for the expansion and plans to accelerate land acquisition this fiscal year through March 2026. "Global demand for air travel will double in the next 20 years. 'The Asia-Pacific region is growing fastest among all regions,' Narita International Airport President Akihiko Tamura said at a ceremony marking the start of full-scale construction at the airport. "It is urgent that we strengthen our capabilities to boost Japan's and Tokyo's international competitiveness, attract more foreign tourists, and promote development around the airport," he added,
25-05-2025
- Business
Narita Airport's 3rd Runway to Be Built by End-March 2029
Narita, Chiba Pref., May 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Narita International Airport on Sunday marked the start of full construction work to enhance its functions, including the addition of a third runway to be completed by the end of March 2029. As a result, the airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, will see the number of its annual landing and takeoff slots jump to 500,000 from the current 300,000. Including slots at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, the combined annual number at the two gateways to the Japanese capital would reach one million. In the 670-billion-yen project, a 3,500-meter runway will be built, while 2,500-meter Runway B will be extended by 1,000 meters. The total land area of the airport will increase by 1,099 hectares, almost double the current size. The airport operator has secured 83 pct of the land needed for the expansion and plans to accelerate land acquisition this fiscal year through March 2026. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Brits can be extradited over Tokyo jewellery heist
Two British men accused of robbing a luxury jewellery store in Tokyo can be sent to Japan following a landmark ruling. For almost a decade, Japanese authorities have pursued the extradition of Kaine Wright, 28, Joe Chappell, 38, and a third man over allegations they posed as customers to steal items worth £679,000 (¥106m) from a Harry Winston store. On Friday, chief magistrate Judge Goldspring rejected Wright and Chappell's challenges against extradition. Their case now passes to the home secretary to decide whether they should be sent to Japan. No extradition treaty exists between the UK and Japan, meaning it would be the first time Japan have successfully received fugitives. Japan's initial request was rejected, but the High Court overturned the original decision following an appeal lodged by the Japanese government. In Friday's judgement - seen by the BBC - Wright, of Plumstead, and Chappell, of Belvedere, both in London, had raised concerns over prison conditions in Japan which they argued were "arbitrary, excessive and breach international standards". The Japanese government said the submissions were "fundamentally flawed both legally and factually". District Judge Goldspring, chief magistrate of England and Wales, found there was a "prima facie case" - enough evidence to support a charge at first glance - against Chappell and that extradition would be "compatible" with his and Wright's human rights. Friday's ruling follows a recent High Court judgement that the Japanese government had a case to extradite Wright, Chappell and a third man named in papers as Daniel Kelly - who is Wright's father. Japan's case against Kelly will be heard at the end of this month. He has not appeared in previous extradition hearings due to a conspiracy to murder case against him taking precedence. Details from January's High Court judgement state that the Japanese "relied upon a range of evidence" which demonstrated that Kelly, Wright and Chappell travelled to Tokyo around the time of the jewellery raid in November 2015. CCTV captured all three arriving at Narita International Airport on 18 November 2015 and staying at "the Elm Share House", Japanese authorities said. Ch Insp Suzuki set out a record of the investigation to the High Court which indicated the trio "took taxis" to Harry Winston's branch in Omotesando Hills. In their efforts to escape, the trio left a number of items behind including an Armani jacket, he said. Ch Insp Suzuki added: "Goggles were left at the shop and a jacket was left on the route the robbers took to flee from the scene." A professor at the Tokyo Dental College compared ePassport images taken at Narita Airport and compared it to CCTV stills of three men taken at the Harry Winston store. "The possibility that two (or three) persons in the relevant comparison are the same is extremely high," Ch Insp Suzuki said in his report, citing the professor's "expert" findings. As well as other DNA matches, Ch Insp Suzuki's report referred to "expert evidence that glass shards found at the property where the three stayed that matched the glass in the display case at the jewellery shop". Findings in the reports were challenged at the High Court by lawyers representing Wright and Chappell. The Japanese government said it would ensure that the three men would have the right to consult with a lawyer in private, have any interviews recorded and have the right not to answer any questions. Wright, once a promising footballer on the books of West Ham United and Brentford, served time in prison after being convicted in 2023 of trying to sell a Ming vase which was stolen from a museum in Switzerland. Subject to any further appeals, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper now has 28 days to decide whether to extradite Chappell and Wright or reject Japan's request.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Epoch Times
What to Do When Travel Goes Awry: 5 Tips I Learned From Visiting Over 100 Countries
It was a somewhat distressing situation, albeit one that many frequent travelers have faced. Years ago, after flying from Bangkok to Tokyo's Narita International Airport, I waited at the gate for my connection home. But the agent made a rather important announcement: Not everybody would be making the trip across the Pacific. At least not today, because the number of passengers exceeded the number of seats on the plane. The flight was oversold. And everyone's minds began to whir. Who would be bumped? How was the airline going to sort this out? I immediately saw the opportunity. Not because I consider myself particularly smart, or insightful, or forward-looking. (I'm not.) But rather, mostly because I had no immediate plans for afterward. And, at the time, had never visited Japan. Approaching the agent, I asked if there would be any remuneration for those who voluntarily gave up their seat to fly instead in a few days. As it turned out, there was indeed. So I took the cash, which she dispensed on the spot, in yen, and made a quick booking at an affordable business hotel in Asakusa. Mere minutes later, I was thundering toward the heart of the capital on the Narita Express. And the next three days were awesome: I attended a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome, ate untold amounts of yakitori on back lanes and, ultimately, fell in love with Japan. In the course of visiting more than 100 countries on all seven continents, travel has taught me at least two things. First: Things will (eventually) go wrong. And second: When plans go awry, it's all about how you respond. Here are three lessons I've learned on the road when everything seems to be going sideways. Make Inconvenience an Adventure Whether your flight is canceled, your cruise ship is heading into a big storm, or your tour guide didn't show up, the first thing to do is try and be cool. True, I can testify that it's hard not to get worked up. But after allowing yourself a brief, private scream into a pillow, take a deep breath and decide to roll with it. Try and find the adventure in it all. I've discovered hidden and unexpected corners of airports during flight disruptions and gotten some of my best sailing stories from rough seas. Once, on a remote stretch of highway in Turkmenistan, our truck broke down. Rescue was coming, but it was going to take hours. So we pulled together all the ingredients we had left in our coolers and cooked them up on a camp stove on the side of the road. It was like an impromptu feast and party way out there in the desert. I still talk about it. Make Friends In a tight situation, strangers can be your best friends. So it doesn't hurt to strike up a conversation with those around you. Especially if things look like they might be going south. Related Stories 3/14/2025 10/13/2023 An example: I was flying to a mountain town, but my connection kept getting delayed. Everyone at the gate chatted nervously about whether the flight would actually take off that day, and what to do if it didn't. It did. But not in time for me to catch my van shuttle to a smaller village, where I was staying at a lodge. Fortunately, in the hours of waiting, I'd talked to two fellow passengers sitting near me in the airport. We realized we were all headed to the same place. One had a car waiting. So we pooled our resources and, after our very delayed arrival, drove the rest of the way to the village. We got there much later than anticipated but truly enjoyed the conversation along the way. When in Doubt, Turn Left Nothing too fancy here. It just seems most people naturally turn right. So when you face an annoyingly long line where there are two options, take the one on the left. There might be fewer people (I've generally found that to be the case). Be Nice to the Staff If you're having a bad day, chances are the people working at the train station, hotel, or airport are having an even worse time. They've got the responsibility of working out that troublesome wrinkle while also dealing with the complaints of a whole bunch of frustrated travelers. So, if you can, just smile. These are the people who can help you the most. Acknowledge the situation. Say something like, 'I know the hotel is currently dealing with a power outage. This is hard for everyone, especially the staff. But when you know when it will be restored, could you please let me know?' Just a little kindness can work wonders—and make you both feel a little better. Keep Perspective (You're Still Pretty Lucky) You know how they say, 'A bad day on the lake is still better than a good one in the office'? Try to always keep that in mind. Once, I was on a trip to a tropical Southeast Asian island. The plans for the few days there were nothing short of fabulous: snorkeling, a sunset catamaran, maybe a surprise helicopter tour. But then, those first drops started to fall. And they didn't stop. At all. Ever, for the length of the stay. Some sort of monsoon was moving through. It washed away all those activities. But you know what? The pool was still cool. The views remained dramatic, even more so because of the never-ending storm. The food in the restaurants? Remained delicious. So I decided to focus on the positive—not the easiest thing—including all the loveliness of staying in a delightful hotel in a beautiful location. I decided to relax and enjoy the things that were available and to save all those fun excursions—things to look forward to—for the next trip. Three Practical Tips to Be Best Prepared Keep Cash on Hand Having a little cash in the local currency is very handy in a pinch. For example—when you can't get an Uber and the subway has shut down for the night. Time to call a taxi! Stay Connected to the Network If you're worried about roaming charges, download an eSIM with a basic amount of data (say, enough to navigate on Google Maps and send and receive online texts). Prepare a Backup Plan If you have any suspicions your ride might not show up or your reservation may fall through, start putting together a rough, theoretical sketch of what you might do. That way, you can hit the ground running when things start to go off the tracks.
The Mainichi
07-05-2025
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Narita Airport very crowded, foreign visitors wait over 2 hours
Now many visitors from other countries are arriving at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. The airport is very busy. Visitors must wait in long lines at passport checks. Sometimes people wait for more than two hours. The Japanese government wants many visitors from other countries. They want 60 million visitors every year. But airport workers say there are too many visitors. It is difficult for workers to check passports quickly. One evening in April, Narita Airport had many visitors waiting. Many planes arrived from other countries. A new plane landed every two minutes. Visitors got off the planes and waited in lines to show their passports. The lines moved very slowly. People looked very tired. Some people felt unhappy because the wait was long. People asked airport workers questions like, "How long do we have to wait?" In October 2022, Japan made it easier for foreign visitors to enter the country after the coronavirus pandemic. Because of that, many more people started coming to Japan. Also, Japan's money, the yen, became cheaper. So, traveling to Japan became cheaper for visitors from other countries. In 2024, more than 21 million visitors used Narita Airport. This was more than before COVID-19. Early in 2025, the number of visitors grew even more. Narita Airport has more than 100 places to check visitors' passports. They have workers from other parts of the airport to help at busy times. They also use different lines for visitors who will stay in Japan for longer times. But there are still too many visitors. This is why waiting is now very long. The government wanted people to wait only 20 minutes or less. But now, visitors must wait much longer. Workers think the waits will become longer in the future. (Japanese original by Tsukimi Goda, Narita Bureau) Vocabulary visitor: a person who comes to see a place. passport: a small book that you use for traveling to other countries. government: the group of people who lead a country. airport: a place where planes land and take off. busy: many people doing something at the same time. line: many people standing one after another waiting for something. check: to look at something carefully. pandemic: a sickness that spreads across a whole country or the whole world.
