Thus, it was really not surprising to see that ever since Japan announced its plan to privatize its busiest Narita International Airport, voices of protests and concerns are being heard from not just local travelers but across the borders. What lies at the root of the controversy is the latest bill by Japan's transport ministry, which aims at limiting foreign ownership in the country's airports. One of the main objections raised to the privatization of domestic airports in Japan is the fear that restricting foreign ownership could jeopardize the ambitious privatization program which aims to bring in more professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness to the way airports are run. The Japanese government, which is the sole owner of the airport, is planning a public float of Narita International Airport Corp., which will operate the Narita airport sometime in fiscal 2009.
However, the government, in a volte-face, has removed the controversial part from the bill proposals which were to be presented during the current Parliamentary session ending on June 15 and included a limit on foreign stakes in airports to less than a third of voting shares due to security concerns. But the Japanese government, which faces opposition from some of its own ministers and lawmakers, has vowed to revisit that decision as soon as possible, with plans not to delay it any longer than 2008 end. "I support the decision to take more time to examine this issue. It is in the right direction," said Hiroko Ota, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister, one of the several ministers in the ruling government who had been vocal against the proposal. She added, "This is a very important issue because it is a touchstone on how to meet two goals, which is to open up the country while ensuring national security." |
