Disasters highlight Japan's vulnerability

One week after Typhoon Jebi, Kansai Airport still is not fully functional

TOKYO - Flooded runways, thousands of passengers stranded and a tanker smashing into an access bridge: Last week's typhoon in Japan highlighted the vulnerability of Kansai Airport which serves a region with an economy bigger than Belgium's.

Because of concerns about engine noise, Kansai - located in the bay of Osaka - is the world's first airport entirely situated on a huge man-made island, putting it at risk of flooding, tsunamis and typhoons.