The Shizuoka District Court on Friday turned down a request by local residents to repeal a permit issued by the Transport Ministry for the construction of an airport that has been in progress since 1998.
The lawsuit filed by 116 Shizuoka residents claims the ministry illegally authorized the airport plan when it was uncertain that the local government could purchase all the land required.
The residents argued that some landowners have refused to sell their property, and therefore, in authorizing the construction, the ministry did not meet a provision in the Aviation Law requiring the acquisition of land to be assured.
The ministry countered that there were prospects for acquiring the land and the local government could also expropriate it if needed.