Ojima Airfield

The primary reason for the closure was the non-renewal of the land lease agreement. The airfield was situated on a riverbed (flood plain) of the Tone River, which is public land managed by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The ministry decided not to renew the lease with the operating NPO, 'Sky Sports Club Otone,' prioritizing the land's primary function for flood control and river management. Economic factors and the challenges of maintaining a private, non-profit airfield likely contributed to the inability to secure a new agreement or alternative site.

The site of the former airfield has been returned to its natural state as a riverbed and flood plain. Satellite imagery confirms that the runway and taxiways are no longer maintained and are overgrown with grass and vegetation. There are no remaining aviation facilities, hangars, or buildings. The land is now managed exclusively for its intended purpose of river control by the MLIT. There is no public access for aviation purposes, and the area is essentially undeveloped open space.

Ojima Airfield, more commonly known as Otone Airfield (大利根飛行場), was a vital and beloved hub for general and sport aviation in the Kanto region of Japan. It was not a commercial airport but a private airfield dedicated to recreational flying. Its operations primarily included:
- **Ultralight Aircraft (ULP):** It was one of the most popular fields in the region for ultralight pilots.
- **Gliders and Motor Gliders:** The open space and thermal conditions provided by the river valley made it suitable for soaring.
- **General Aviation Training and Hobby Flying:** It served as a base for several flying clubs and individual aircraft owners.

The airfield featured an unpaved, grass runway approximately 800 meters long. Its existence was significant because it provided a relatively low-cost and accessible venue for a passionate community of aviation enthusiasts, a rarity in densely populated Japan. The ICAO code 'JP-1820' was an unofficial, local designation used in some flight simulator databases and is not an official ICAO code, which for Japan would start with 'RJ'.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Ojima/Otone Airfield. The definitive termination of the land lease by the government for flood control purposes makes a reversal of this decision extremely unlikely. The land's value and strategic importance for river management far outweigh its potential use for recreational aviation. The local aviation community that once used the field has since dispersed to other remaining airfields in the region.