Japan's government and airport authorities are taking further steps to alleviate lack of capacity at both of Tokyo airports, Haneda and Narita. Both airports are already operating to full capacity, offering a major challenge for a country which aims to increase the number of its international visitors from 7.3 million in 2006 to 10 million by 2010. At present, many international airlines are unable to land in Tokyo and must instead choose to fly to Nagoya or Osaka Kansai airports.

At Narita, Japan's premier international gateway, a second runway was opened in 2002, but this 'interim' runway, which is only 2,180 metres long, can only accommodate regional aircraft. However, Narita Airport Authority has now said it will extend the runway to 2,500 metres to accommodate larger aircraft. Once operational (the extended runway should be ready by the end of 2009), Narita's total annual aircraft movements will increase to 220,000 flights. The airport will be able to handle 34.8 million passengers compared with 29.25 million in 2006.

Haneda airport - which currently handles 64 million passengers a year - will also expand upgrade and expand to enable it to handle more international flights. At present the only international flights from the airport are to and from Taiwan. The construction of a fourth runway, due to open in 2009, will allow the airport to increase flight capacity from the current 285,000 to 407,000 flights a year, including 30,000 international aircraft movements. By fiscal year 2012, Haneda is forecast to be handling 73.2 million passengers.

Another important project is a new railway line from Tokyo to Narita airport, which will reduce travel time to the airport from 51 minutes to 36 minutes. This is due to open in 2010.