The Transport Ministry officially dropped plans Monday to build a second runway at Narita airport by March 2001 after failing to break an impasse with landowners opposed to the expansion.
It is now setting its sights on June 2002, when Japan cohosts the World Cup soccer finals.
Transport Minister Jiro Kawasaki instructed ministry and New Tokyo International Airport Authority officials to promptly draw up new measures for the project, while continuing efforts for dialogue with the landowners, according to Satoshi Iwamura, director general of the ministry's Civil Aviation Bureau.