Mobility Resort Motegi Runway

The primary reason for the closure was significant damage sustained during the Great East Japan Earthquake (Tōhoku earthquake) on March 11, 2011. The runway surface suffered from cracking and other damage. Given the high cost of repairs for a facility with relatively low traffic, an economic decision was made not to restore it to operational status. Instead, resources were focused on repairing the main racing circuits and public facilities of the resort.

The site is permanently closed to all air traffic and has been repurposed. The northern half of the former runway has been converted into a large-scale solar panel farm, generating electricity for the resort. The remaining paved surfaces, including the southern end of the runway and taxiways, are now used as an event space, a driving test area for automotive programs, and for overflow parking during major race weekends.

The runway, often unofficially called 'Honda Airport', was an integral part of the Twin Ring Motegi complex (now Mobility Resort Motegi) built by Honda in 1997. Its main purpose was to provide convenient, direct access to the world-class motorsport facility. Operations primarily consisted of:

- **Corporate & VIP Transport:** Used by Honda executives, international racing teams, high-profile drivers, and sponsors flying in on private jets and turboprops for major events like MotoGP and IndyCar races.
- **Helicopter Operations:** The runway and adjacent helipads were crucial during race weekends for medical evacuation (medevac) services, aerial broadcasting, and VIP shuttle flights from major cities like Tokyo.
- **General Aviation:** It served general aviation pilots visiting the resort and its various attractions, including the Honda Collection Hall museum.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the runway. The installation of the large solar farm on the runway surface represents a long-term, capital-intensive investment, making a reversion to aviation use highly improbable and economically unfeasible. The resort's management has fully committed the land to its new purposes of energy generation and event space.