Better Narita cargo facilities urged

In an effort to realize speedy and efficient air cargo transactions, the Japan-America Cooperative Conference on Friday called for improving cargo facilities at Tokyo's Narita airport and easing customs clearance regulations in Japan.

The JACC is a forum jointly established by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry to help solve trade issues between Japan and the United States.

In a paper that lists recommendations on 11 points, JACC asks to expand customs clearance facilities at Narita airport and allow private facilities near the airport to conduct bonded warehouse functions.

Concerning customs clearance procedures at Narita airport, the paper calls for extending customs processing hours to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, including holidays. The current processing hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The JACC prepared the paper in view of the planned completion in fiscal 2000 of the second runway at Narita airport, which handles nearly 70 percent of the country's international air cargo. The airport expansion project is expected to boost the volume of cargo passing through the airport. The improvement of facilities and the deregulations also will help cargo firms cope with the express cargo service that is emerging in the international market, according to the JACC.