A new airport that cost a governor his job opened June 4 in Shizuoka Prefecture with eight domestic and international routes, including flights to Seoul and Shanghai.

Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, constructed at a cost of ¥190 billion, was originally scheduled to open in March. However, nearby trees on private land were found to exceed the aviation law's height limit.

Negotiations with the landowner dragged on, so to get the airport up and running the 2,500-meter runway was shortened by 300 meters, thereby satisfying the safety requirements. Then the landowner said he would cut the trees down in return for Shizuoka Gov. Yoshinobu Ishikawa handing in his resignation.

Ishikawa agreed and will leave office June 18.