Minister Kaneko on Disaster Agency, Narita Airport and Ship Safety

The press conference was held in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's press room on July 14, 2026, where Minister Yasushi Kaneko answered questions in four areas. Following the July 13 passage and enactment by the House of Councillors plenary session of legislation related to establishing the Disaster Management Agency, he explained that the agency would serve as the command center from peacetime disaster preparedness through post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

The issues addressed at the press conference were the Disaster Management Agency, Narita Airport, the Middle East situation, and the Henoko residents' lawsuit. The minister said that relevant ministries and agencies with expertise in their respective fields would coordinate with the Disaster Management Agency to assess nationwide damage and establish an initial response system.

A framework was presented in which the Disaster Management Agency serves as the command center and coordinates by leveraging the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's field capabilities and overall capacity for disaster preparedness and response, including measures against infrastructure aging, basin-based flood control, and support for disaster-affected areas. The policy is to work to ensure public safety and security from peacetime preparedness through post-disaster response.

Strengthening Narita Airport's functions is positioned as an important project related to international competitiveness, accommodating visitors to Japan, and the international logistics network. The confirmation at the four-party council was described as highly significant for the local community, demonstrating a commitment to develop the industrial base around the airport while pursuing coexistence and mutual prosperity with the community.

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz has made ensuring the safety of Japan-related vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf an issue. The minister said that the prompt resumption of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was important and that developments would be closely monitored. In the Henoko lawsuit, the legality of the administrative decision is expected to be heard by the Naha District Court after the Supreme Court ruling.

During peacetime, the Disaster Management Agency will promote cross-ministerial disaster preparedness and coordinate stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and the public. During disasters, it will assess damage nationwide and establish an initial response system, while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will handle field response through measures including dispatching TEC-FORCE personnel.

At Narita Airport, the four-party council confirmed early operation of the B Runway extension and use of the land expropriation system for the C Runway. Narita International Airport Corporation plans to proceed with necessary procedures, including an application for project certification, but no application had been submitted at the time of the press conference, so no decision or timing for certification was indicated. Efforts toward voluntary acquisition and explanations to the local community will continue.

Regarding the Middle East situation, there have been no reports that Japan-related vessels have newly passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the July 10 press conference. Individual circumstances of the four vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf were not disclosed for safety reasons, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will continue gathering information, providing information to relevant parties, and coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others. Regarding information that ships transiting the strait would be charged an amount equivalent to 20% of their cargo as compensation for safety, the minister said developments would be closely monitored.

In the administrative appeal lawsuit over construction of the new Henoko base, the Supreme Court recognized standing for three of the four nearby residents. The legality of the administrative decision is expected to be heard by the Naha District Court, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will respond in consultation with relevant ministries and agencies.