This paper makes a brief survey of the present noise-related issues as well as efforts towards quieter living environment around airports in Japan. First, it reviews recent airport development and extension at several major international airports including Central Japan, Narita and Tokyo. Next, it reviews recent keen issues related to noise around major airports. It is now needed to cope with issues such as revision of the basic guideline "Environment Quality Standard for Airport Noise", evaluation of noise impact due to low level and seasonally uneven noise exposure in areas distant from the airport and so on. When the second interim parallel runway opened at Narita three years ago, noise measurement was carried out to check deterioration in noise situation, but it unexpectedly resulted in a slight decrease of noise exposure at some locations in spite of an increase in aircraft movements. It is now discussed whether the Japanese definition of noise evaluation index WECPNL should be modified as a temporary action to solve the subtle contradiction. Finally, it refers to a strategy we should consider for further mitigation of noise impact.
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