On March 1, a bird strike deterrent device known as 'Bird Sonic,' developed with the research capabilities of Professor Masachika Tsuji of the Okayama University of Science's Education Promotion Organization, was installed on a trial basis at Kansai International Airport and two other airports in the Kansai area to prevent bird strikes on aircraft. The Kansai Airport Co., Ltd., which manages the three airports, says, 'We will verify the system's effectiveness over the next year, and then install it on a full-scale basis.'
 
　Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka International Airport (Itami), and Kobe Airport are the three airports. At Kansai International Airport, two sets of speakers were installed on Runway A (3,500 meters long and 60 meters wide) of the two runways, 100 meters apart on the near-sea side near the center of the runway, with four sets of speakers per set, each set in a different direction. Each speaker emits high-frequency waves that reach 150 to 200 meters at a range of 100 degrees on each side and up, down, left, and right in various patterns to accommodate "habituation." The two units should be able to deter birds from flying over a wide area.
　Similarly, Itami and Kobe airports have two units installed by the side of the runway near the center.
 
　At KIX on the same day, Prof. Tsuji and Mr. Takao Watanabe of T.M. WORKS, an automobile parts manufacturer in Yamanashi Prefecture, who developed the device, set up a steel pole in the greenbelt about 150 meters from the center of the runway. They then deftly installed solar panels, batteries, Bird Sonic units, speakers, and other equipment. The frequent bird strikes were causing the Japanese sky to become blue. The frequent bird strikes directly affected Japan's air gateway's safety, and many media representatives were on hand to cover the event.
 
　According to the Kansai Airport Co., 22 bird strikes occurred at KIX, 18 at Itami, and nine at Kobe in FY2023 (through February 23). Since such incidents can lead to severe accidents, the airports have been using air guns and bombers to eliminate the birds. We decided to install the Bird Sonic on a trial basis because we heard it was effective at other airports (Hagi, Iwami, Kikaijima, and Yakushima). We expect it to be a labor-saving and more robust countermeasure.
 
　According to Professor Tsuji, Bird Sonic's frequency range can be adjusted from 10 to 30 kilohertz. Since Bird Sonic's effectiveness differs depending on the species of birds, it is currently being used for snipe and lark. Professor Tsuji said, "It takes a week to a month to see the effect. We aim for 80% to 90% control by gradually reducing the amount.