Makuhari New City Heliport

The closure was due to economic reasons. A report from the Chiba Prefectural Government cited a significant and sustained decline in usage over several years. The primary commercial operator had ceased its regular shuttle services, and the number of annual takeoffs and landings had dropped to a level that made the operational and maintenance costs of the facility unjustifiable. There was no single incident like an accident or military conversion; it was a gradual decline in demand following the burst of Japan's economic bubble.

The site has been completely repurposed and no longer functions as an aviation facility. The helipad markings and associated infrastructure have been removed. The large, paved area is now the 'Makuhari Seaside Park G Parking Lot' (幕張海浜公園G駐車場). It is primarily used as a large-capacity event parking lot for the adjacent ZOZO Marine Stadium (home of the Chiba Lotte Marines baseball team) and the Makuhari Messe. The space is also frequently used to host a variety of outdoor events, including car shows, music festivals, and drive-in cinemas.

Opened in April 1990, the Makuhari New City Heliport was an integral part of the ambitious Makuhari New City development project. Its primary role was to provide rapid air access for business executives and international visitors attending events at the nearby Makuhari Messe convention center. It famously hosted a helicopter shuttle service, operated by companies like Asahi Helicopter, connecting Makuhari directly with Narita International Airport, a journey of about 15 minutes. Beyond commercial use, it was officially designated as a base for disaster relief operations for Chiba Prefecture, intended for emergency transport, medical evacuations, and aerial reconnaissance in the event of earthquakes or other major disasters.

There are no known plans or serious prospects for reopening the heliport. The fundamental reason for its closure—a lack of sufficient demand—has not changed. Furthermore, the site has been successfully integrated into the local infrastructure as a valuable parking and event space, a function for which there is high demand. Re-establishing the heliport would require significant investment and a compelling economic case that does not currently exist.