Noshiro Airfield

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons. The airfield's main purpose was agricultural aviation (crop dusting), a sector that saw a significant decline in Japan towards the end of the 20th century due to changes in farming practices and technology. This reduction in its primary operational use, combined with the high costs of maintenance and decreasing activity in general aviation, made the airfield financially unsustainable, leading to its eventual closure.

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped. The runway and all associated aviation infrastructure have been removed. Since December 2014, the location has been home to the 'Noshiro Solar Park' (能代ソーラーパーク), a large-scale photovoltaic power plant, which now occupies the entire former airfield grounds.

Established in April 1964, Noshiro Airfield was a private, unlicensed airstrip known in Japan as a 'jōgai rikurikujō' (場外離着陸場), or an 'off-airfield landing site'. For over 30 years, it served as a vital local hub for general aviation in the Akita Prefecture. Its primary operations included:
- **Agricultural Aviation:** Extensive use for aerial pesticide spraying over local rice paddies.
- **Flight Training:** A base for pilot training and instruction.
- **Recreational Flying:** Used by private pilots and the Akita Prefecture Aviation Association for recreational and hobbyist flights.
Its significance lies in its role as a typical example of the numerous small, local airfields that supported Japan's regional agriculture and fostered a local aviation community during the post-war economic boom.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Noshiro Airfield. The complete conversion of the land into a major, operational solar power generation facility makes its return to aviation use practically impossible.