Hamaonishibetsu Airfield

Primarily economic reasons driven by technological obsolescence. The airfield's main purpose, aerial observation of sea ice and red tides for the local scallop fishing industry, became redundant due to advancements in satellite imagery (e.g., from the Himawari satellite) and radar technology. With its primary function no longer necessary, the low usage rate combined with the high maintenance costs became an unsustainable financial burden for the Sarufutsu village government, leading to the decision to close it.

The site has been completely repurposed. After its closure, the former airfield land was redeveloped into the 'Sarufutsu Village Mega Solar Power Plant' (猿払村メガソーラー発電所). The runway and surrounding area are now covered with a large array of photovoltaic panels, generating renewable energy for the region. The infrastructure of the airport is gone, and the land is now dedicated to solar power generation.

Opened in July 1974, Hamaonishibetsu Airfield was a village-operated STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) airport built by the Sarufutsu government. Its creation was directly tied to the region's vital scallop cultivation industry. The airfield's crucial role was to facilitate aerial surveillance flights to monitor sea ice (ryuhyo) and harmful algal blooms (red tides) that posed a significant threat to the scallop beds in the Sea of Okhotsk. It was also used for general aviation, agricultural flights (e.g., crop dusting), and occasional charter services. The facility consisted of a single paved runway measuring 800 meters by 25 meters. It never hosted scheduled commercial passenger flights but was a key piece of infrastructure supporting a specific local industry.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Hamaonishibetsu Airfield. The land has been fully and permanently redeveloped into a major solar power facility, making any return to aviation use infeasible.