The island is central to the planned relocation of a "field carrier landing practice" site needed by aircraft aboard U.S. aircraft carriers.
A three-year construction schedule is planned, and the landing site could become operational by 2025, pending an agreement between Japan and the United States. Construction of the airfield, with a control tower and communications facilities, is expected to begin in 2022. The site will be a permanent training environment to maintain carrier-based pilot skills.
U.S. aircraft carriers are based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwkuni in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture.