OSAKA -- Kansai's economic leaders expressed their determination Monday to push forward with plans for a second runway at Kansai International Airport, despite some in the central government calling for a freeze.
"The second runway should be completed, as originally scheduled, in 2007," said Yoshihisa Akiyama, chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation, on Monday.
After hearing reports that the Finance Ministry wished to postpone the second runway at the troubled airport, Osaka Gov. Fusae Ohta and other officials visited the ministry last month. Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa assured them the airport would be completed as scheduled.
But many within the ministry, as well as the Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry, remain opposed to more state spending on the project at a time when flights are decreasing and demand for the airport is dropping.
Akiyama acknowledged the need to increase the number of passengers, and suggested that transport links between the airport and the Sea of Japan coast be improved.
"The airport needs passengers from the Hokuriku district, including direct access from Fukui or Ishikawa prefectures to JR Kyoto and JR Osaka stations, where passengers could switch to the airport train," Akiyama said.