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120-625: The conceptualization of Narita was highly controversial and remains so to the present day, especially among local residents in the area. This has led to the Sanrizuka Struggle , stemming from the government's decision to construct the airport without consulting most residents in the area, as well as expropriating their lands in the process. Even after the airport was eventually completed, air traffic movements have been controlled under various noise related operating restrictions due to its direct proximity with residential neighborhoods, including

240-423: A 3,500-meter (11,483 ft) runway on the east side of the airport, built over two underground road tunnels, with completion by fiscal year 2028. In September 2022, NAA announced a conceptual plan to consolidate the three existing terminals into a single facility called "One Terminal." Plans had previously called for a fourth terminal building to be added in conjunction with the construction of Runway C, but due to

360-951: A Chiba Prefecture official  [ ja ] in 1988. The conflicts at Narita were a major factor in the decision to build Kansai International Airport in Osaka offshore on reclaimed land, instead of again trying to expropriate land in heavily-populated areas. Japan's international flag carrier, Japan Airlines , moved its main international hub from Haneda to Narita, and Northwest and Pan American also moved their Asian regional hubs from Haneda to Narita. Those two U.S. carriers operate fifth-freedom routes to other Asian countries under bilateral agreement. Pan American transferred its Pacific Division, including its Narita hub, to United Airlines in February 1986. Japanese domestic carrier All Nippon Airways began scheduled international flights from Narita to Guam in 1986. From 1978 to 2015, Narita Airport

480-720: A breakthrough toward the construction. In 1967, the Japanese student movement was on the rise, and the union hoped to cooperate with students who had clashed with riot police in protests against the US–Japan Security Treaty , taking the stance that they would "accept support without regard for political faction". Supported by various left-wing groups, the union held sit-ins, seized and destroyed surveying equipment from airport corporation employees, erected barricades, threw stones, and harassed airport affiliates. They were generally successful in mobilising armed struggle against

600-598: A breakthrough toward the construction. In 1967, the Japanese student movement was on the rise, and the union hoped to cooperate with students who had clashed with riot police in protests against the US–Japan Security Treaty , taking the stance that they would "accept support without regard for political faction". Supported by various left-wing groups, the union held sit-ins, seized and destroyed surveying equipment from airport corporation employees, erected barricades, threw stones, and harassed airport affiliates. They were generally successful in mobilising armed struggle against

720-559: A broadcast conference with Governor Tomonō regarding the Sanrizuka plan. This time the decision had been made after co-ordination with prefectural officials, but without consulting locals. Consequently, Sanrizuka and Shibayama residents were shocked to learn of the decision from the broadcast, and furious opposition broke out as it had in Tomisato. Tomisato organisers hurried to Sanrizuka to encourage frustrated residents that resistance

840-446: A broadcast conference with Governor Tomonō regarding the Sanrizuka plan. This time the decision had been made after co-ordination with prefectural officials, but without consulting locals. Consequently, Sanrizuka and Shibayama residents were shocked to learn of the decision from the broadcast, and furious opposition broke out as it had in Tomisato. Tomisato organisers hurried to Sanrizuka to encourage frustrated residents that resistance

960-520: A bus ride (at an additional charge and subject to random security screenings). Transport Minister Shintaro Ishihara , who later served as governor of Tokyo, pressed airport train operators JR East and Keisei Electric Railway to connect their lines directly to the airport's terminals, and opened up the underground station that would have accommodated the Shinkansen for regular train service. Direct train service to Terminal 1 began on March 19, 1991, and

1080-706: A combination of cameras, explosive detectors, dogs and other measures in lieu of passport and baggage checks upon entering the terminal. In March 2015, NAA announced that the ID checks would cease and the new system would be used for terminal building security, effective as of the end of that month. Narita Airport was the first Japanese airport to house millimeter wave scanners . The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced in March 2010 that trials would be carried out at Narita from July 5 through September 10, 2010. Five types of machines were to be tested sequentially outside

1200-560: A council headed by Chiba governor Kensaku Morita consisting of prefectural government officials, the Narita International Airport Corporation and business groups in Narita, proposed scrapping the ID checks. The Chiba prefectural police objected, stating that the checks were necessary to detect extremists and terrorists. NAA experimented with a new threat detection system for two months in 2013, using

1320-573: A court order; 500 police officers were dispatched to provide security for the operation while 30 airport opponents protested. Beginning on October 20, 2011, the airport was approved to allow simultaneous landings and take-offs from the A and B runways. The approval allowed the airport to increase annual take offs from 220,000 to 235,000 and increase hourly departure capacity from 32 to 46. The parallel runways are 2.5 km (1.6 mi) apart. Since its construction, Narita has been criticized for its distance from central Tokyo, with journeys taking an hour by

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1440-587: A feature of the region. Farmers' movements, unions, and strikes thrived here above anywhere else in the prefecture. In the early 20th century, the area became the Imperial family 's farmlands, known as Goryō Farm (御料牧場, goryou bokujō ). Locals became familiar with the Imperial family, who frequently came to visit their stables. The Goryō Farm was emotionally and economically indispensable to locals, with some residents saying this contributed to local opposition to

1560-599: A fuel terminal in Yotsukaido . The pipeline opened in 1983, and had pumped 130 billion liters of fuel to Narita Airport by its thirtieth anniversary of operations in 2013. Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) has its headquarters on the grounds of Narita Airport, in the NCA Line Maintenance Hangar ( NCAライン整備ハンガー , NCA Rain Seibi Hangā ) . Previously NCA had its headquarters on the fourth floor of

1680-490: A house with a farm that is located right in between the runways. As a result, the airport must be closed from 00:00 (12:00am) to 06:00 (6:00am) the next day to minimize the noise pollution impact around the airport. Narita is the busiest airport in Japan by international passenger and international cargo traffic. In 2018, Narita had 33.4 million international passengers and 2.2 million tonnes of international cargo. In 2018, Narita

1800-406: A living off of land purchased from deserters. Because of these histories, this region's farmers had a very strong attachment to their lands. In the 1960s, Japanese aviation demands were dramatically increasing with the nation's rapid economic growth. It was predicted that Tokyo International Airport ( Haneda Airport ) would reach capacity by 1970. For many logistical reasons, expanding Haneda

1920-406: A living off of land purchased from deserters. Because of these histories, this region's farmers had a very strong attachment to their lands. In the 1960s, Japanese aviation demands were dramatically increasing with the nation's rapid economic growth. It was predicted that Tokyo International Airport ( Haneda Airport ) would reach capacity by 1970. For many logistical reasons, expanding Haneda

2040-611: A planned 3,200 meters (10,499 ft) third "C" runway, which would be a crossing runway south of the passenger terminals. Although the majority of the land and equipment required in order to build the runway are under NAA's ownership, small portions of land needed to be accessed in order to build the runway are still blocked by airport protesters, and areas south of the South Wing of the terminal are being used as aircraft parking and storage. Noise abatement would also be an issue, especially since there are major towns such as Yachimata on

2160-607: A standstill, the Satō cabinet negotiated secretly with transport vice minister Tokuji Wakasa , Chiba Prefectural Governor Taketo Tomonō  [ ja ] , and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice-President Shōjirō Kawashima  [ ja ] . They decided to reassign the construction site 4 kilometres (2.4 mi) north-east, to state-owned land on Goryō Farm, to minimise private land acquisition. They also expected that with Sanrizuka 's impoverished farming communities, construction would be possible so long as adequate compensation

2280-558: A standstill, the Satō cabinet negotiated secretly with transport vice minister Tokuji Wakasa , Chiba Prefectural Governor Taketo Tomonō  [ ja ] , and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice-President Shōjirō Kawashima  [ ja ] . They decided to reassign the construction site 4 kilometres (2.4 mi) north-east, to state-owned land on Goryō Farm, to minimise private land acquisition. They also expected that with Sanrizuka 's impoverished farming communities, construction would be possible so long as adequate compensation

2400-405: A terminal for Star Alliance carriers. The construction of the South Wing took nearly a decade and more than doubled the floor area of Terminal 1. Today, almost all Star Alliance members, including Japan's All Nippon Airways , use this wing, along with non-members Air Busan , Air Seoul , Scoot , Shandong Airlines , and Uzbekistan Airways . ANA and Peach domestic flights use a separate area of

2520-415: A wide following among the opposition, but they persisted in support of the airport. Early on 10 October, airport corporation members protected by approximately 1,500 riot police arrived to install surveying piles . The opposition attempted to block the road with a sit-in, but they were violently removed by riot police. The airport corporation set up three pile drivers on-site, and afterwards called this

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2640-415: A wide following among the opposition, but they persisted in support of the airport. Early on 10 October, airport corporation members protected by approximately 1,500 riot police arrived to install surveying piles . The opposition attempted to block the road with a sit-in, but they were violently removed by riot police. The airport corporation set up three pile drivers on-site, and afterwards called this

2760-516: Is the largest airport food court in Japan, and two multifaith prayer rooms. It was built at a cost of 15 billion yen and covers 66,000 m (710,000 sq ft) of floor space. Terminal 3 is voted 2024 best terminal for low-cost airlines in Asia and 2 overall in the world by Skytrax . Source: Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism There are three air traffic control towers at Narita. The main control tower and one of

2880-465: The Japanese government and the agricultural community of Sanrizuka , comprising organised opposition by farmers, local residents, and leftist groups to the construction of Narita International Airport (then New Tokyo International Airport). The struggle stemmed from the government's decision to construct the airport in Sanrizuka without the involvement or consent of most area residents. The struggle

3000-611: The Keisei Main Line and the area immediately east of Narita Airport. This line opened in 2002 with government and NAA support after extensive demands from Shibayama residents, and provides a direct rail link from Shibayama to Narita City, Chiba City and central Tokyo. Another such project is the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences in Shibayama Town, which draws tourists and student groups to the area. A further extension of

3120-809: The Meiji Restoration . Many could not cope with the hardships of land-clearing work and abandoned the area. The farmers who remained later won a long judicial struggle to secure their own rights to the land from wealthy Tokyo merchants who held land-bonds. In 1946, after Japanese defeat in WWII , large tracts of imperial-owned land were again sold off. The various disadvantaged peoples who settled this land were collectively called "the new poor" (新窮民 shin-kyuumin ). They performed heavy agricultural labour day and night, living in straw huts without electricity or running water. Settlers who could not endure this harsh environment left; those who remained were able to make

3240-578: The World Cup events held in Korea and Japan that year. However, its final length of 2,180 m (7,152 ft), much shorter than its original plan length of 2,500 m (8,202 ft), left it too short to accommodate Boeing 747s . The runway was further impeded by a three-story concrete building in the path of its taxiway, which the Union had constructed in 1966, forcing the taxiway to bend inward toward

3360-498: The emperor ordered the creation of horse and cattle pastures there. The Shimōsa Plateau , which covers most of the northern part of the prefecture, had been active in agriculture for centuries. Villages conducting agricultural work in the region since the Edo period were called koson (古村, "old village"). Edo imperial magistrates' jurisdiction did not reach these villages, which is said to have fostered defiance of political authority as

3480-569: The Aviation Council report to Minister of Transport Kentarō Ayabe  [ ja ] recommended the Tomisato area, making no reference to the issue of land acquisition. On 18 November 1965, Eisaku Satō 's cabinet made an informal tentative decision to construct the airport in Tomisato, which Chief Cabinet Secretary Tomisaburō Hashimoto  [ ja ] unexpectedly announced at a press conference. The planned airport's area equaled half of Tomisato, and its construction would mean

3600-502: The Aviation Council report to Minister of Transport Kentarō Ayabe  [ ja ] recommended the Tomisato area, making no reference to the issue of land acquisition. On 18 November 1965, Eisaku Satō 's cabinet made an informal tentative decision to construct the airport in Tomisato, which Chief Cabinet Secretary Tomisaburō Hashimoto  [ ja ] unexpectedly announced at a press conference. The planned airport's area equaled half of Tomisato, and its construction would mean

3720-600: The Cargo Administration Building ( 貨物管理ビル , Kamotsu Kanri Biru ) ). Sanrizuka Struggle Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of the Narita Airport Government of Japan 35°45′55″N 140°23′08″E  /  35.76528°N 140.38556°E  / 35.76528; 140.38556 The Sanrizuka Struggle (三里塚闘争, Sanrizuka tōsō ) is a series of civil conflicts and riots involving

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3840-548: The Goryō Farm were sold, leading to the development of small villages throughout the Meiji and Taishō periods. This land was cultivated by former lower-class samurai, servants of samurai families, and others who lost their livelihoods to the Meiji Restoration . Many could not cope with the hardships of land-clearing work and abandoned the area. The farmers who remained later won a long judicial struggle to secure their own rights to

3960-502: The Goryō Farm's closing ceremony was held. The union attended in protest, and the youth division destroyed the assembly hall, putting their leader on the police's nationwide wanted list. The police became tougher on the opposition, arresting union leader Issaku Tomura  [ ja ] and thirteen others in November ;1969 for occupying a road and stopping a bulldozer. With these struggles, peaceful acquisition of land

4080-439: The Goryō Farm's closing ceremony was held. The union attended in protest, and the youth division destroyed the assembly hall, putting their leader on the police's nationwide wanted list. The police became tougher on the opposition, arresting union leader Issaku Tomura  [ ja ] and thirteen others in November 1969 for occupying a road and stopping a bulldozer. With these struggles, peaceful acquisition of land

4200-399: The Imperial family, who frequently came to visit their stables. The Goryō Farm was emotionally and economically indispensable to locals, with some residents saying this contributed to local opposition to the airport: "Hearing that the Goryō Farm would disappear [as a result of the construction] made everyone around here go crazy." In 1923, 2,000 hectares (20 km ; 7.7 sq mi) of

4320-740: The NAA's Tokyo functions. To assist in the relationship with the local community, NAA operates the Community Consultation Center (地域相談センター) and the Airport Information Center (空港情報センター). The Community Consultation Center is in the Chiyoda Branch of Shibayama-machi Community Center in Osato, Shibayama , while the Airport Information Center is located in Sanrizuka, Narita. New Tokyo International Airport

4440-416: The Narita Airport Government of Japan 35°45′55″N 140°23′08″E  /  35.76528°N 140.38556°E  / 35.76528; 140.38556 The Sanrizuka Struggle (三里塚闘争, Sanrizuka tōsō ) is a series of civil conflicts and riots involving the Japanese government and the agricultural community of Sanrizuka , comprising organised opposition by farmers, local residents, and leftist groups to

4560-661: The Narita offices consolidated according to the decision by the Japanese Cabinet in July 1988 making it a special corporation . The NAA head office started operations at the airport on July 1, 1996, in the former Japan Airlines operations center, acquired by NAA in July 1994. Renovations occurred from September 1995 to March 1996. After the move, the Kishimoto Building in Marunouchi , Chiyoda, Tokyo housed

4680-701: The North Chiba Road, is also under construction along the Narita Rapid Railway corridor. Improvements such as the Wangan Expressway also shaved off travel time to Kanagawa Prefecture by bypassing Tokyo. The Japanese government has also invested in several local infrastructure projects in order to address the demands of airport neighbors. The largest of these is the Shibayama Railway , a short railway connection between

4800-481: The North Wing of Terminal 1, Star Alliance carriers to use the South Wing of Terminal 1, and Oneworld carriers to use Terminal 2. Terminal 1 uses a satellite terminal design divided into a North Wing ( 北ウイング , kita-uingu ) , Central Building ( 中央ビル , chūō-biru ) , and a South Wing ( 南ウイング , minami-uingu ) . Two circular satellites, Satellites 1 (gates 11–18) and 2 (gates 21–24), are connected to

4920-513: The North Wing. Satellites 3 and 4 (gates 26–38 and gates 41–47) compose a linear concourse connected to the Central Building. Satellite 5 (gates 51–58) is connected to the South Wing. The terminal building has a floorspace of 463,000 m (4,980,000 sq ft) and equipped with 40 gates. Check-in is processed on the fourth floor, and departures and immigration control are on the third floor. Arriving passengers clear immigration on

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5040-517: The Preservation of Security at New Tokyo International Airport  [ ja ] , specifically banning the construction and use of buildings for violent and coercive purposes relating to the new airport. Nevertheless, several people have been killed by terrorist acts, including in arson incidents against Totetsu Kogyo  [ ja ] and Nippi Corp. employees  [ ja ] in 1983 and 1990, respectively, as well as an attack on

5160-652: The Runway B to 3,500 meters (11,483 ft) has been under official consideration since 2014. Permitting for the extension was approved in January 2020. The final plan calls for the runway to be extended to the northwest, and requires a 430-meter (1,410 ft) section of the Higashi-Kanto Expressway to be replaced with a tunnel beneath the runway; construction is scheduled to be complete in fiscal year 2028. The airport's original master plan also included

5280-466: The Terminal 1 South Wing security checkpoint; the subjects were Japanese nationals who volunteered for trial screening, as well as airport security staff during hours when the checkpoint is closed. In 2003, a Narita International Airport Corporation Act ( 成田国際空港株式会社法 ) was passed to provide for the privatization of the airport. As part of this change, on April 1, 2004, New Tokyo International Airport

5400-404: The aging of the older terminals, NAA opted to plan for the replacement of the older terminals with new structures. The plans also call for a new cargo facility and upgraded transit links to central Tokyo. Narita was among the first airports in the world to align its terminals around the three major international airline alliances . Since 2006, the airport has arranged for SkyTeam carriers to use

5520-549: The airport from militant attacks while also acquiring the second-phase land, leading to behind-the-scenes negotiations between government and union members. However, negotiations failed after being leaked to the media, resulting in harassment of union leaders and the union dissolving into chaos. Destructive action against the airport continued from splinter groups, with over 511 incidents of guerrilla action recorded between 1978 and 2017. Sanrizuka Struggle Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of

5640-474: The airport's original main runway. To avoid the problems that plagued the first phase, the Minister of Transport promised in 1991 that the expansion would not involve expropriation. Residents in surrounding regions were compensated for the increased noise-pollution with home upgrades and soundproofing. Terminal 2 opened on December 4, 1992, at a cost of $ 1.36 billion. The new terminal had approximately 1.5 times

5760-437: The airport: "Hearing that the Goryō Farm would disappear [as a result of the construction] made everyone around here go crazy." In 1923, 2,000 hectares (20 km ; 7.7 sq mi) of the Goryō Farm were sold, leading to the development of small villages throughout the Meiji and Taishō periods. This land was cultivated by former lower-class samurai, servants of samurai families, and others who lost their livelihoods to

5880-622: The construction of Narita International Airport (then New Tokyo International Airport). The struggle stemmed from the government's decision to construct the airport in Sanrizuka without the involvement or consent of most area residents. The struggle was led by the Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of the Narita Airport ( ja:三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟 , Sanrizuka-Shibayama Rengo Kūkō Hantai Dōmei ), which locals formed under

6000-459: The demolition of the tower to the prefectural court, which was accepted. On 6 May, 2,100 riot police gained control of the tower and surrounding area. Protesters were removed and the tower demolished. Clashes between opposition and riot police continued, and on 8 May a large-scale conflict broke out. One protester sustained a direct blow to the head from a tear gas bomb , lost consciousness, and died two days later. The deceased's parents sued

6120-459: The demolition of the tower to the prefectural court, which was accepted. On 6 May, 2,100 riot police gained control of the tower and surrounding area. Protesters were removed and the tower demolished. Clashes between opposition and riot police continued, and on 8 May a large-scale conflict broke out. One protester sustained a direct blow to the head from a tear gas bomb , lost consciousness, and died two days later. The deceased's parents sued

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6240-548: The disappearance of many farming villages. Additionally, because aircraft usage at the time was not yet common among the general public, people considered airports to be disruptions that burdened their surrounding environments with noise pollution and other issues. Opposition movements had already risen in each of the potential construction sites, such as the Tomisato-Yachimata Anti-Airport Union formed in 1963. Local farmers expressed outrage at

6360-453: The disappearance of many farming villages. Additionally, because aircraft usage at the time was not yet common among the general public, people considered airports to be disruptions that burdened their surrounding environments with noise pollution and other issues. Opposition movements had already risen in each of the potential construction sites, such as the Tomisato-Yachimata Anti-Airport Union formed in 1963. Local farmers expressed outrage at

6480-486: The early 1960s as jet aircraft became common. The Japanese transport ministry commissioned a study of alternate airport locations in 1963, and in 1965 selected a plan to build a five-runway airport in the village of Tomisato . The site was later moved 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast to the villages of Sanrizuka and Shibayama , where the Imperial Household had a large farming estate. This development plan

6600-541: The east side of the airport to be completed by 2028. The new runway will increase the airport's annual slot capacity from 300,000 to 460,000. The runway project will enable the airport to extend the airport's operating hours to cover the period between 0:30 and 5:00 local time. Local authorities agreed to the expansion plan after an 18-month process due to the need for further local revitalization. The final plan, approved in January 2020 and published in December 2021, calls for

6720-853: The event of war with the Soviet Union . These individuals sought to ally with the more conservative local farmers who simply did not want to give up their land for the airport. About 1966, a group of local residents combined with student activists and left-wing political parties formed a popular resistance group, the Sanrizuka-Shibayama Union to Oppose the Airport  [ ja ] ( 三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟 ; Sanrizuka-Shibayama Rengo Kūkō Hantai Dōmei ), which remained active until fracturing in 1983 and they started protest activity called Sanrizuka Struggle ( 三里塚闘争 ; Sanrizuka TōSō ). Similar strategies had already been employed during

6840-624: The expansion of the Terminal 1 South Wing in 2006. Terminal 3, a terminal for low-cost carriers , opened on April 8, 2015. It is located 500 metres (1,640 ft) north of Terminal 2, where a cargo building used to sit, and has a capacity of 50,000 flights per year. The new terminal incorporates several cost-cutting measures, including using decals instead of lighted directional signs and using outdoor gates and airstairs instead of jet bridges , which are intended to reduce facility costs for airlines and their passengers by around 40% on international flights and 15% on domestic flights. Taisei Corporation

6960-407: The fastest train and often longer by road due to traffic jams. Narita's distance is even more problematic for residents and businesses in west Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture , both of which are much closer to Tokyo International Airport ( Haneda Airport ). Through the end of the 1980s, Narita Airport's railway station was located fairly far from the terminal, and passengers faced either a long walk or

7080-473: The government and prefecture for ¥ 94 million in damages. On 9 May, in an attack considered revenge for this incident, one police officer died. Meanwhile, first-phase construction continued, and the airport was scheduled to open for operation with one runway on 30 March 1978. However, on 26 March, several left-wing groups raided the airport, occupying a control tower and destroying equipment and facilities. Further delays became inevitable, and

7200-473: The government and prefecture for ¥ 94 million in damages. On 9 May, in an attack considered revenge for this incident, one police officer died. Meanwhile, first-phase construction continued, and the airport was scheduled to open for operation with one runway on 30 March 1978. However, on 26 March, several left-wing groups raided the airport, occupying a control tower and destroying equipment and facilities. Further delays became inevitable, and

7320-487: The government enacted new disciplinary laws while increasing airport security. On 20 May, two months later, the New Tokyo International Airport was completed despite ongoing opposition. At this time, 17 farming households remained on the unfinished second-phase land, of which 15 belonged to the union. The last of them was evicted in 2023. With the opening of the airport, the union's slogan

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7440-400: The government enacted new disciplinary laws while increasing airport security. On 20 May, two months later, the New Tokyo International Airport was completed despite ongoing opposition. At this time, 17 farming households remained on the unfinished second-phase land, of which 15 belonged to the union. The last of them was evicted in 2023. With the opening of the airport, the union's slogan

7560-489: The government enacted the first administrative subrogation and the opposition supporters clashed with construction workers and riot police. The forts were demolished. On 16 September 1971, the second subrogation was enacted. Three police officers were killed by rioters on this day ( Tōhō Cross Road incident  [ ja ] ). Four days later, riot police and construction workers arrived on-site to remove an elderly woman, Yone Koizumi, and demolish her house. This incident

7680-489: The government enacted the first administrative subrogation and the opposition supporters clashed with construction workers and riot police. The forts were demolished. On 16 September 1971, the second subrogation was enacted. Three police officers were killed by rioters on this day ( Tōhō Cross Road incident  [ ja ] ). Four days later, riot police and construction workers arrived on-site to remove an elderly woman, Yone Koizumi, and demolish her house. This incident

7800-435: The government had finally destroyed the towers, but one activist  [ ja ] and one policeman were killed  [ ja ] . The runway was completed and the airport scheduled to open on March 30, 1978, but this plan was disrupted when, on March 26, 1978, a group of protestors broke into the control tower  [ ja ] and destroyed much of its equipment, causing about $ 500,000 in damage and delaying

7920-464: The government. However, antagonism developed between parties, creating differing perceptions among union members of their relationship to leftist parties and eventually leading to splits. From April to July 1968, the airport corporation ran a survey of the real estate of residents who had agreed to give up their land. Both leftist parties and farmers had opposed with physical resistance, resulting in damage to many houses and fields. On 18 August 1969,

8040-464: The government. However, antagonism developed between parties, creating differing perceptions among union members of their relationship to leftist parties and eventually leading to splits. From April to July 1968, the airport corporation ran a survey of the real estate of residents who had agreed to give up their land. Both leftist parties and farmers had opposed with physical resistance, resulting in damage to many houses and fields. On 18 August 1969,

8160-510: The incidents appeared in the film Days of Fury (1979), directed by Fred Warshofsky and hosted by Vincent Price . In January 1977, the Fukuda cabinet proclaimed that the airport would open within the year. On 17 April the opposition mobilised 17,500 people — an all-time record for the struggle — and held a general rally against the airport in a Sanrizuka public park. In May 1977, the airport corporation submitted an injunction request for

8280-458: The incidents appeared in the film Days of Fury (1979), directed by Fred Warshofsky and hosted by Vincent Price . In January 1977, the Fukuda cabinet proclaimed that the airport would open within the year. On 17 April the opposition mobilised 17,500 people — an all-time record for the struggle — and held a general rally against the airport in a Sanrizuka public park. In May 1977, the airport corporation submitted an injunction request for

8400-491: The land from wealthy Tokyo merchants who held land-bonds. In 1946, after Japanese defeat in WWII , large tracts of imperial-owned land were again sold off. The various disadvantaged peoples who settled this land were collectively called "the new poor" (新窮民 shin-kyuumin ). They performed heavy agricultural labour day and night, living in straw huts without electricity or running water. Settlers who could not endure this harsh environment left; those who remained were able to make

8520-410: The largest duty-free mall in Japan. For domestic flights, three gates (65, 66, and 67) in the main building are connected to both the main departures concourse and to a separate domestic check-in facility. Passengers connecting between domestic and international flights must exit the gate area, walk to the other check-in area, and then check in for their connecting flight. Japan Airlines is currently

8640-492: The leadership of opposition parties the Communist Party and Socialist Party . The struggle resulted in significant delays in the opening of the airport, as well as deaths on both sides. At its height, the union mobilised 17,500 people for a general rally, while thousands of riot police were brought in on several occasions. The northern region of Chiba Prefecture had been farmland since c.  700 , when

8760-410: The local farmers. During eminent domain, three policemen were killed by activists. Takenaka Corporation constructed the first terminal building, which was completed in 1972. The first runway took several more years due to constant fights with the Union and sympathizers, who occupied several pieces of land necessary to complete the runway and temporarily built large towers in the runway's path. In 1977,

8880-513: The main and satellite buildings began operation on September 27, 2013, and the shuttle system was discontinued. Terminal 2 can handle large aircraft like the Airbus A380 (operated by Emirates) and the Boeing 747-8 . Terminal 2 has an area of 391,000 m (4,210,000 sq ft) and 32 boarding gates. Terminal 2 includes a duty-free mall called " Narita 5th Avenue  [ ja ] ",

9000-864: The main operator in T2. The terminal has served as a hub for all Oneworld alliance carriers at NRT since 2010, when British Airways moved from Terminal 1. Several other airlines also use the terminal, these are SkyTeam carriers China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines , as well as Star Alliance carrier Air India and connecting partner Juneyao Air and non-affiliated carriers Air Macau , Air Premia , Bamboo Airways , Batik Air Malaysia , Cebu Pacific , Eastar Jet , Emirates , Fly Gangwon , Greater Bay Airlines , Hainan Airlines , MIAT , Nepal Airlines , Pakistan International Airlines , Philippine Airlines , Starlux Airlines , Thai AirAsia X , Tigerair Taiwan , T'way Air , and VietJet . All Nippon Airways and several other Star Alliance carriers used Terminal 2 prior to

9120-464: The old Narita Airport Station was renamed Higashi-Narita Station . The Narita Sky Access Line opened on July 17, 2010, cutting 20 minutes off the travel time. The line's new Skyliner airport limited express services with a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) are scheduled between Tokyo's Nippori Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 Station in 36 minutes, which compares favorably with other major airports worldwide. A new expressway ,

9240-403: The one-sided nature of the decision and allied with opposition parties ( Japanese Communist Party and Japan Socialist Party ). There was also resistance by local public bodies who had not been informed of the developments, leading to temporary suspension of the cabinet decision. In 1966, the opposition movement showed no signs of waning. Fearing that the airport construction would be forced to

9360-403: The one-sided nature of the decision and allied with opposition parties ( Japanese Communist Party and Japan Socialist Party ). There was also resistance by local public bodies who had not been informed of the developments, leading to temporary suspension of the cabinet decision. In 1966, the opposition movement showed no signs of waning. Fearing that the airport construction would be forced to

9480-544: The opening day with rocks and firebombs while police responded with water cannons ; on the other side of Tokyo, a separate group of protestors claimed responsibility for cutting the power supply to an air traffic control facility at Tokorozawa , which shut down most air traffic in the Tokyo area for several hours. The National Diet passed a special statute, the Emergency Measures Act Relating to

9600-492: The opening until May 20. The airport opened under a high level of security; the airfield was surrounded by opaque metal fencing and overlooked by guard towers staffed with riot police. 14,000 security police were at the airport's opening and were met by 6,000 protesters; a Japanese newscaster remarked at the time that "Narita resembles nothing so much as Saigon Airport during the Vietnam War ." Protestors attacked police on

9720-643: The other two runways were delayed to avoid aggravating the already tense situation surrounding the airport. The original plan also called for a high-speed rail line, the Narita Shinkansen , to connect the airport to central Tokyo, but this project was also cancelled with only some of the necessary land obtained. By 1986, the strengthening Japanese yen was causing a surge of foreign business and leisure travel from Japan, which made Narita's capacity shortage more apparent. However, eight families continued to own slightly less than 53 acres (21 ha) of land on

9840-401: The planned departure/arrival routes. Noise abatement negotiations would have to be worked through in order to use the runway, otherwise a Kai-Tak style approach would be necessary, which is less than favourable. For these following reasons, building work on the third "C" runway was finally aborted. In March 2018, NAA released a new masterplan for expansion, which included a third "Runway C" on

9960-651: The postwar era to block the expansion of Tachikawa Air Base and other US military facilities in Japan. In June and July 1966, the Union sent formal protests to the mayor of Narita, the governor and vice-governor of Chiba Prefecture and the prefectural office of the Liberal Democratic Party . In November 1967, when the Transport Ministry began surveying the perimeter of the airport, Union members set up roadblocks. The Zengakuren radical student union then began sending students to Narita to help

10080-404: The ramp control towers stand on the geographical center the airport, and another ramp tower is directly above Terminal 2. The main tower is used by Japan Civil Aviation Bureau 's ATC , while the ramp towers are used by the NAA officers. The ramp control will be transferred to the new tower in 2020. The airport is connected by a 47 km (29 mi) pipeline to the port of Chiba City and to

10200-481: The region since the Edo period were called koson (古村, "old village"). Edo imperial magistrates' jurisdiction did not reach these villages, which is said to have fostered defiance of political authority as a feature of the region. Farmers' movements, unions, and strikes thrived here above anywhere else in the prefecture. In the early 20th century, the area became the Imperial family 's farmlands, known as Goryō Farm (御料牧場, goryou bokujō ). Locals became familiar with

10320-540: The rest, the government employed both hard and soft measures, but the opposition persisted. Beginning in August 1966, the union led a campaign to purchase single plots of land within the designated construction site. Also that month, Governor Tomonō communicated intent to have on-site investigations performed on the construction site. The opposition responded with demonstrations, sit-ins , and petitions, none of which succeeded. Many appeals were made to LDP leaders, who had

10440-487: The rest, the government employed both hard and soft measures, but the opposition persisted. Beginning in August 1966, the union led a campaign to purchase single plots of land within the designated construction site. Also that month, Governor Tomonō communicated intent to have on-site investigations performed on the construction site. The opposition responded with demonstrations, sit-ins , and petitions, none of which succeeded. Many appeals were made to LDP leaders, who had

10560-471: The runway. This imposed restrictions on the number of aircraft that could use the runway, since it was impossible for an aircraft to safely pass through the curve in the taxiway while another aircraft was using the runway. Runway B's limitations were made particularly apparent following the 2009 crash of FedEx Express Flight 80 , which shut down Runway A and forced some heavy aircraft to divert to other airports such as nearby Tokyo Haneda Airport . The Runway B

10680-498: The second floor, then claim their baggage and clear customs on the first floor. Most shops and restaurants are located on the fourth floor of the Central Building. The South Wing includes a duty-free mall called "Narita Nakamise", one of the largest airport duty-free brand boutique malls in Japan. The North Wing has served as an alliance hub for SkyTeam since 2007, and previously housed the Northwest Airlines hub, which

10800-429: The site that would need to be expropriated in order to complete the other two runways. Although the government could legally force a sale of the land, it elected not to do so "because of fears of more violence." By 1991, Narita was handling 22 million passengers a year, despite only having a design capacity of 13 million. On November 26, 1986, the airport authority began work on Phase II, a new terminal and runway north of

10920-401: The space of the older terminal, but its anti-congestion benefits were delayed because of the need to close and renovate much of the older terminal. The airport's land situation also meant that the taxiway to the new terminal was one-way for much of its length, and that taxi times between the terminal and runway were up to 30 minutes. The Runway B (16L/34R) opened on April 17, 2002, in time for

11040-482: The terminal accessed from the arrivals floor of the South Wing. Terminal 2, which opened in 1992, is divided into a main building ( 本館 , honkan ) and satellite ( サテライト , sateraito ) , both of which are designed around linear concourses. The two were connected by the Terminal 2 Shuttle System , which was designed by Japan Otis Elevator and was the first cable-driven people mover in Japan. A new walkway between

11160-603: The union constructed a 60.6-metre (200 ft) tower within Runway ;A's approach area, obstructing flight tests. Opposition activity also halted the construction of a jet fuel pipeline from the Port of Chiba . Facility construction was able to proceed, but the opening continued to be delayed. The opposition union had also received a blow from mass arrests at the anti-subrogation struggle, with its initial membership of 320 households falling to 45, then to 23 by 1976. Footage of

11280-493: The union constructed a 60.6-metre (200 ft) tower within Runway A's approach area, obstructing flight tests. Opposition activity also halted the construction of a jet fuel pipeline from the Port of Chiba . Facility construction was able to proceed, but the opening continued to be delayed. The opposition union had also received a blow from mass arrests at the anti-subrogation struggle, with its initial membership of 320 households falling to 45, then to 23 by 1976. Footage of

11400-461: The union mobilised 17,500 people for a general rally, while thousands of riot police were brought in on several occasions. The northern region of Chiba Prefecture had been farmland since c.  700 , when the emperor ordered the creation of horse and cattle pastures there. The Shimōsa Plateau , which covers most of the northern part of the prefecture, had been active in agriculture for centuries. Villages conducting agricultural work in

11520-673: Was acquired by Delta Air Lines in 2010. Delta shifted its Asian transit hub to Incheon International Airport in collaboration with Korean Air , and transferred all of its Tokyo operations from Narita to Haneda in March 2020. Other carriers in the North Wing are Aero Mongolia , Aircalin , Aurora Airlines , China Southern Airlines , El Al , Etihad Airways , Hong Kong Airlines , Jin Air , Peach Aviation international flights, Royal Brunei Airlines , Sichuan Airlines , WestJet and Zipair Tokyo . The South Wing and Satellite 5 opened in June 2006 as

11640-669: Was also the second-busiest airport in Japan in terms of aircraft movements (after Haneda Airport in Tokyo) and the tenth-busiest air freight hub in the world. Its 4,000-meter (13,123 ft) main runway shares the record for longest runway in Japan with the second runway at Kansai International Airport in Osaka . Narita serves as the main international hub of Japan Airlines , All Nippon Airways and Nippon Cargo Airlines , United Airlines , and as an operating base for low-cost carriers Air Japan , Jetstar Japan , Peach Aviation , Spring Airlines Japan , and Zipair Tokyo . In 2022, Narita

11760-417: Was awarded a ¥11.2 billion contract to build the terminal in January 2013. The airport also constructed a new LCC apron to the north of the terminal, with five additional parking slots for Airbus A320 and similarly sized aircraft. Aero K , Jeju Air , Jetstar , Jetstar Japan , Philippines AirAsia , Spring Airlines , and Spring Japan use Terminal 3. The terminal also includes a 24-hour food court, which

11880-511: Was changed from "Certain Prevention of the Airport" to "Airport Abolition / Stop Second Phase Construction". Issaku Tomura, the leader and psychological pillar of the union, soon died of illness, and combined with the reality of the airport's success, this led many union participants to withdraw. Over time, the union's previous supporters – leftist and student groups – came to take charge. Authorities thought it impossible to protect

12000-452: Was changed from "Certain Prevention of the Airport" to "Airport Abolition / Stop Second Phase Construction". Issaku Tomura, the leader and psychological pillar of the union, soon died of illness, and combined with the reality of the airport's success, this led many union participants to withdraw. Over time, the union's previous supporters – leftist and student groups – came to take charge. Authorities thought it impossible to protect

12120-494: Was extended northward to 2,500 meters (8,202 ft) on October 22, 2009, allowing an additional 20,000 flights per year. In 2008, the Supreme Court of Japan ruled in favor of the airport authority regarding ownership of Union-occupied land in the path of the taxiway, allowing the taxiway to be modified to provide enough room for safe passing. The building remained in place until August 2011, when authorities removed it under

12240-472: Was held as an example of the state throwing lives into turmoil, and became a symbol for the continuing opposition struggle. On 1 October 1971, Fumio Sannomiya, a central member of the youth division, committed suicide, leaving a note that said, "I detest those who brought the airport to this land" and "I have lost the will to keep fighting." Additional conflicts in 1971 led to the deaths of three riot police, with multiple injuries on both sides. In March 1972,

12360-472: Was held as an example of the state throwing lives into turmoil, and became a symbol for the continuing opposition struggle. On 1 October 1971, Fumio Sannomiya, a central member of the youth division, committed suicide, leaving a note that said, "I detest those who brought the airport to this land" and "I have lost the will to keep fighting." Additional conflicts in 1971 led to the deaths of three riot police, with multiple injuries on both sides. In March 1972,

12480-407: Was led by the Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of the Narita Airport ( ja:三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟 , Sanrizuka-Shibayama Rengo Kūkō Hantai Dōmei ), which locals formed under the leadership of opposition parties the Communist Party and Socialist Party . The struggle resulted in significant delays in the opening of the airport, as well as deaths on both sides. At its height,

12600-457: Was made public in 1966. The government argued that one merit of the site was the relative ease of expropriation of land  [ ja ] . However, local residents were not consulted during the initial planning phase, and learned of the selection of the airport site through the news. This led to shock and anger among the local community, which continued for many years. Though the Japanese government had eminent domain power by law, such power

12720-633: Was named the fourth-best airport in the world after Hamad International Airport in Doha , Haneda Airport in Tokyo, and Changi Airport in Singapore , by Skytrax ’s World’s Top 100 airports. Before Narita opened, Tokyo International Airport (also known as Haneda Airport ) was Tokyo's main international airport. Haneda, located in Tokyo Bay was surrounded by densely populated residential and industrial areas, and began to suffer capacity and noise issues in

12840-683: Was not an option. Instead, the Ikeda cabinet began planning a second international airport, making a formal cabinet decision on 16 November 1962. In June 1963, the Ministry of Transport drew up plans for the "New Tokyo International Airport" which envisioned an airport spanning about 2,300 hectares (23 km ; 8.9 sq mi). Areas considered for the site included Tomisato , Yachimata , and several other villages in Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture . In December 1963,

12960-510: Was not an option. Instead, the Ikeda cabinet began planning a second international airport, making a formal cabinet decision on 16 November 1962. In June 1963, the Ministry of Transport drew up plans for the "New Tokyo International Airport" which envisioned an airport spanning about 2,300 hectares (23 km ; 8.9 sq mi). Areas considered for the site included Tomisato , Yachimata , and several other villages in Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture . In December 1963,

13080-423: Was officially renamed Narita International Airport, reflecting its popular designation since its opening. The airport was also moved from government control to the authority of a new Narita International Airport Corporation , usually abbreviated to "NAA." The headquarters is on the airport grounds. The authority previously had its head office in Tokyo with some offices in and around Narita; the head office moved and

13200-423: Was originally envisioned to have five runways , but the initial protests in 1965 led to a down-scaling of the plan to three runways: two parallel northwest–southeast runways 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in length and an intersecting northeast–southwest runway 3,200 m (10,499 ft) in length. Upon the airport's opening in 1978, only one of the parallel runways was completed (16R/34L, also known as "Runway A");

13320-468: Was possible. On 4 July, the Satō cabinet, wishing to hurry the opening of the airport, made another cabinet decision for the new airport construction. This plan also required a vast expanse of land of which Goryō farmland constituted less than 40%, again making the acquisition of citizen-owned land a major issue. According to the Transport Minister's instructions in December 1966, the goal

13440-399: Was possible. On 4 July, the Satō cabinet, wishing to hurry the opening of the airport, made another cabinet decision for the new airport construction. This plan also required a vast expanse of land of which Goryō farmland constituted less than 40%, again making the acquisition of citizen-owned land a major issue. According to the Transport Minister's instructions in December 1966, the goal

13560-493: Was provided. However, the Ministry of Transport considered the Tomisato plan ideal and the Sanrizuka plan a fallback. On 21 June 1966, after the switch to the Sanrizuka plan had already been agreed between the government and the prefecture, Transport Minister Torata Nakamura  [ ja ] told a press conference, "There is nowhere for the airport but Tomisato/Yachimata." The following day, Prime Minister Satō held

13680-437: Was provided. However, the Ministry of Transport considered the Tomisato plan ideal and the Sanrizuka plan a fallback. On 21 June 1966, after the switch to the Sanrizuka plan had already been agreed between the government and the prefecture, Transport Minister Torata Nakamura  [ ja ] told a press conference, "There is nowhere for the airport but Tomisato/Yachimata." The following day, Prime Minister Satō held

13800-431: Was rarely used due to a preference to resolve land disputes consensually. At the time, the socialist movement still had considerable strength in Japan, evidenced by the large-scale student riots in Tokyo in 1960. Many in the "new left" such as Chūkaku-ha opposed building Narita, reasoning that the real purpose for the new airport was to promote capitalism and to provide additional facilities for US military aircraft in

13920-471: Was the only airport in Japan where visitors were required to show ID upon entry, due to the tumultuous history of the airport's construction and the violent protests before, during, and after its opening. By 2012, Narita's operator was considering dispensing with the security checks. Given that the number of flight slots at Narita are also increasing, the anti-airport struggles were decades in the past, and Haneda Airport began to re-instate international flights,

14040-401: Was thought impossible, and the airport corporation used state power to forcibly expropriate the remaining necessary land. In 1970, it carried out an on-site survey on yet-unpurchased land. Opposition members threw raw sewage, Chloropicrin , and stones, and fought with sickles and bamboo spears. They also constructed fortifications on the land, some of them underground. On 22 February 1971,

14160-401: Was thought impossible, and the airport corporation used state power to forcibly expropriate the remaining necessary land. In 1970, it carried out an on-site survey on yet-unpurchased land. Opposition members threw raw sewage, Chloropicrin , and stones, and fought with sickles and bamboo spears. They also constructed fortifications on the land, some of them underground. On 22 February 1971,

14280-549: Was to build the airport in two phases and begin operating the first half by spring 1971, with the remainder to be completed by the end of 1973. There was nearly unanimous opposition in the region to the cabinet decision. In July or August 1966, the Sanrizuka-Shibayama Joint Anti-Airport Union was formed. The government was eventually able to secure land from many residents who conceded for social or financial reasons. To acquire

14400-445: Was to build the airport in two phases and begin operating the first half by spring 1971, with the remainder to be completed by the end of 1973. There was nearly unanimous opposition in the region to the cabinet decision. In July or August 1966, the Sanrizuka-Shibayama Joint Anti-Airport Union was formed. The government was eventually able to secure land from many residents who conceded for social or financial reasons. To acquire

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