Japan is redeveloping Noto Satoyama Airport, which was damaged by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in 2024, into a Pokémon-themed facility. Multiple outlets report that the airport redevelopment introduces a themed attraction intended to create a more upbeat experience for travelers while supporting broader recovery efforts in the region. The renovations are presented as both a functional upgrade to airport infrastructure and a public-facing draw designed to boost morale and interest. Coverage describes the project’s goal in terms such as “hope” and “joy,” framing the theme as a way to bring a familiar, popular brand to a location affected by disaster. One report notes the redevelopment plan is now readying for operations, while another characterizes the initiative as a post-quake recovery step implemented about two years after the earthquake. The articles agree that the Pokémon theme is central to the airport’s new identity as it reopens and transitions from damage assessment to redevelopment and renewed use.