With privatization plans for Kumamoto Airport proceeding, the Transportation Ministry has laid out some benchmarks for bidders. One is to make the airport a central Kyushu hub for East and Southeast Asian travel [cute how it was phrased: “ゲートウェイ（玄関口” )], with routes to 13 locations including several in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Another benchmark is increasing freight handling capacity. The article also discusses the planned rail link with JR’s Sanrigi Station.
All of this will take much time, but it’s nice to see those in charge are thinking ahead to cement Kumamoto’s position as the bellybutton of Kyushu. - William
