The government plans to start building roads next year in preparation for construction work on Mageshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, which is a candidate site for the relocation of U.S. forces' field carrier landing practice, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
Located in the city of Nishinoomote on the island, the project is expected to cost several billion yen, according to government officials. The roads would be built in preparation for the construction of an airfield and other work.
The government is in the process of acquiring land from owners including a Tokyo-based developer that owned most of the island, with the aim of starting construction in fiscal 2022 and landing practice taking place from fiscal 2025. Because more than 90 percent of the island is now state-owned, the government has decided to start construction of roads that will almost encircle the island.
The roads are expected to be used by construction vehicles, and vehicles for the management of state-owned land. Bidding for the roads' construction will be held by the end of this year, and a contractor chosen by the end of fiscal 2020. Because building the roads is not part of the main relocation work, no prior environmental assessment is required.
The environmental assessment for construction directly related to landing practice is scheduled to start this year. In addition to the impact of the construction on the habitat and growth of flora and fauna on the island, it will also examine the noise generated by the landing practice, which has raised concerns among local governments.
The main construction work will include a 2,450-meter main runway, a 1,830-meter secondary runway to be used in case of crosswinds and related facilities. A Self-Defense Forces base on the island will also be built, where 150 to 200 personnel are planned to be stationed.
Mageshima is an uninhabited island of about 8 square kilometers, located about 12 kilometers west of Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture. It was selected by the U.S. and Japanese governments as a candidate to replace Tokyo's Iwojima island, where FCLP currently take place.
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