The farmer refused 40 billion in compensation to grow vegetables in the middle of the airport

Refusing a huge amount of compensation, the farmer is still determined to fight to keep his organic farm in the middle of Japan's second largest airport for more than two decades.

Perhaps, for us, living in a giant airport is not easy. Only the sound of airplanes taking off and landing makes a very shrill and annoying sound, but for a Japanese farmer, this is considered the only place worth living.

The farm of the Japanese farmer is located in the middle of the second largest international airport in Japan.

Mr.  Takao Shito (68 years old) is the owner of a large piece of land right in the middle of the airport. Takao Shito's family has been growing vegetables on the farm at Narita Airport for more than 100 years. Following the family tradition for three generations since his grandfather and father was also a farmer and to this day Mr. Shito continues to shoulder the responsibility of the family. It's just that in the life of Mr. Shito, the position of the farm has changed compared to the ancestors.

Previously, Mr. Shito's farm was part of a village, inhabited by about 30 families, surrounded by empty fields. However, now the organic farm is located in the middle of Narita Airport, Japan's second largest airport . Here, jets fly overhead and are subjected to noise 24 hours a day, and the only way to get in and out of the farm is through underground tunnels.

Most people agreed to move, but only Mr. Shito remained determined to stay here. He struggled a lot to keep the farm for more than two decades, even refusing an offer of compensation equivalent to more than 40 billion VND for his land.

The farm was built over three generations.

Mr. Shito told AFP, a few years ago: ' These are plots of land that have been preserved and built for nearly a century by three generations, by my grandfather, father and myself. I want to continue living here and doing farming."

Before that, Mr. Shito's father was one of the most enthusiastic farmers, having opposed the Government's plan to expand Narita airport since the 1970s. Meanwhile, most of the other farmers in the village. were persuaded to sell the land with generous compensation, but Toichi Shito's family alone refused to leave.

To date, Mr. Takao Shito has also continuously engaged in legal battles to prevent the government from forcing him to leave the land. Farm work is sometimes tiring, but he said he has no intention of backing down. As a result, his struggle has become a symbol of citizenship, with the support of hundreds of volunteers and activists.

Mr. Takao said he is a person who does not care about money, just wants to continue farming.

Takao told the BBC: ' I received an offer of cash compensation on the condition that I immediately leave my farm. They offered 180 million yen (about 40 billion VND). That amount is equal to 150 years a farmer's salary can suffice. I am a person who does not care about money, I want to continue farming. I never thought about leaving  '.

Narita Airport is Tokyo's main international gateway, handling around 40 million passengers and 250,000 flights a year. The airport's second runway must pass through Mr. Takao Shito's farm, but due to legal issues, the runway has now been built around most of the land.

Mr. Takao Shito is still taking care of his organic farm in the middle of Narita airport and selling clean products to about 400 customers. He said the Covid-19 pandemic has not affected the family business too much, so life in one of the world's largest airports has become somewhat easier.