Transport Minister Chikage Ogi recently sparked a row over a key part of the nation's future infrastructure plans when she suggested a review of the roles of Haneda and Narita airports.

Ogi, 67, an Upper House member who heads the New Conservative Party, assailed the Transport Ministry's decades-old sacred cow by saying changes are needed regarding Tokyo's Haneda airport, which mainly handles domestic fights, and Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, the metropolitan area's international flight hub.

"Drastic changes in thinking are necessary for the 21st century. I'll boldly launch reforms where I believe they are needed," said Ogi, who will head the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry after the bureaucracy is reorganized on Jan. 6.