The Transport Ministry will ask for 1.2 trillion yen in the government's general-account budget for fiscal 2000, up 1.09 percent from the initial budget for the current fiscal year, ministry officials said Thursday.
It will request 711 billion yen for public works, including 51 billion yen for an expansion project at Kansai International Airport and 29 billion yen for construction of Chubu International Airport, planned to open in 2005 on a man-made island in Ise Bay.
In the wake of the recent hijacking of an All Nippon Airways jetliner, the ministry will request 3.1 billion yen to subsidize airlines' efforts to boost security at Osaka International Airport in Itami, Hyogo Prefecture, Nagoya Airport in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and Shin-Chitose International Airport in Hokkaido.
The ministry is also planning other hijacking prevention measures, including establishment of a seven-official crisis management office at its Civil Aviation Bureau.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Safety Agency will seek 4.3 billion yen to increase its capability to deal with unidentified ships, including 1.8 billion yen to purchase three small, high-speed patrol ships and 1.5 billion yen to buy two midsize helicopters.
The agency will also request 9.9 billion yen to beef up maritime security in Okinawa and Kyushu to prepare for the Group of Eight summit meeting in July 2000.