Japan has liberalized foreign air carriers' access to rural airports in principle in a bid to help invigorate rural economies, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Nov. 2.

The liberalization has effectively been implemented since the idea is included in the government's Asian Gateway initiative to promote international exchange in May.

Subject to the liberalization are 23 rural airports that are equipped with facilities to accept international flights.

Narita, Kansai and Chubu international airports and Haneda and Osaka airports, specializing in domestic flights, are not on the list.