Lending Support to Scenic Islands
Lending Support to Scenic Islands
The ports, fishing ports, airports and shorelines of the Izu and Ogasawara Islands play a central role as key facilities that have a direct effect on the industry and economy of the islands as well as medical treatment, culture and other areas as bases for transporting people and goods.
Some 30,000 islanders (as of November 2005) live in the two towns and seven villages scattered over the 405.7k?area of these archipelagoes, which are administered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The islands are also visited by many tourists.
Ogasawara Islands
The Ogasawara Islands Reconstruction Special Measures Law was enacted in 1969 to promote the rapid reconstruction of the island group subsequent to their return to Tokyo Metropolitan Government administration in June of the previous year. The forward thrust generated by this legislation has to far witnessed the realization of two ports capable of vessel moorage, Futami Port on Chichijima and Oki Port on Hahajima, and the construction of an airport, a long-sought goal ever since the return of the islands to Japan.
Concerning the construction of an airport to improve the access to the islands, several different air routes are being studied.
Port of Futami
Routes between Tokyo and the Islands
Izu Islands
Entire View of Hachijojima Island
The Izu Islands are constantly buffeted by storms and their sheer shorelines leave scant room for shelter. Providing for port facilities under such distinctive conditions has been accomplished only with an ample measure of adversity,both in terms of technology and cost. Growth in the islands has also been seriously hindered by the severity of the natural environment.
Seeking to keep the advancement of isolated islands in line with that of the rest of the nation, the Solitary Islands Development Act was enacted in 1953 to encourage industry and stabilize and improve living conditions. Consequently, a steady expansion is being undertaken as plans are drawn up for the development of ports,fishing ports, airports and shorelines.
At present, there are 15 harbors (10 ports, 5 fishing ports) on eight of the islands that can accommodate large-size vessels from the mainland. In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Airport also operates five airports in five of the islands.
Miura Fishery Harbor
Entire View of Miyakejima Island
Port of Motomachi
Port of Aogajima Shoreline
Niijima Airport
Chofu Aerodrom
Tokyo Metropolitan Government took over the management of the Chofu Aerodrome from the national government in July 1992. Its development as a public airport under the Aviation Law has now been completed and operations were launched in March 2001 as the Tokyo Prefecture Chofu Aerodrome.
The Aerodrome is a commuter transportation base for small aircraft for flights to Oshima, Niijima and Kozushima, while also functioning as a center for various other aviation-related activities. In addition, it is also positioned as a base for disaster prevention activities during emergencies and plays an important role in the transport of emergency relief supplies.
Tokyo Heliport
This facility is the largest public heliport in Japan. With as many as some 25,000 landings and takeoffs per year. The facility also provides space for as many as some 80 helicopters operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the Tokyo Fire Department and other disaster-prevention organizations, as well as television stations, newspapers, civilian aviation organizations and others.
