Latest news with #GSDF
Kyodo News
10-06-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
4 Japan SDF members hurt in blast near U.S. Kadena Air Base
KYODO NEWS - 13 hours ago - 21:34 | All, Japan Four Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members were slightly injured in an explosion on Monday while handling an unexploded bomb at a depot near the U.S. military's Kadena Air Base in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, local and Defense Ministry officials said. The ministry officials said the explosion occurred around 11:20 a.m. at a GSDF storage facility for unexploded bombs in Kadena Ammunition Storage Area near the base. The four members from the 101st explosive ordnance disposal unit, which defuses bombs left over from World War II, were removing rust and mud from an unexploded bomb in preparation for disposal. They suffered non-life-threatening injuries such as burns, in the first such incident experienced by the unit during their work. No evacuation order was issued for nearby residents. The U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps are in charge of the ammunition storage area, covering about 26 square kilometers as of March 2024. According to local authorities, the depot was set up by the prefecture in the storage area for the GSDF to engage in disposal of unexploded bombs. "It is crucial to take measures as many unexploded bombs are believed to be still buried in Okinawa. We will conduct disposal steadily," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference. The Self-Defense Forces carried out 1,852 disposal operations for unexploded bombs, dealing with a total of about 35 tons nationwide in fiscal 2023, including 441 operations involving about 19.7 tons in Okinawa, equivalent to about 57 percent of the total. Okinawa remains home to the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan even after its 1972 reversion from U.S. control following Japan's defeat in World War II.
Asahi Shimbun
09-06-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
GSDF showcases launch vehicle for long-range Type 12 missile
The launch vehicle for the enhanced Type 12 surface-to-ship missile is showcased at the Higashi-Fuji training area in Shizuoka Prefecture on June 8. (Daisuke Yajima) The Ground Self-Defense Force for the first time showcased its long-range missile launcher vehicle designed to hit enemy ships and bases under Japan's 'counterstrike' capability. The vehicle, which launches the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (12SSM), was displayed on June 8 during the Fuji Firepower Exercise at the Higashi-Fuji training area in Shizuoka Prefecture, the largest live-fire drill of the GSDF. The upgraded 12SSM has a range of 1,000 kilometers, longer than its predecessor, and has stealth capability, making it difficult for enemies to detect. It will serve as a standoff missile that can strike warships and bases from outside the enemy's range. During the drill, the vehicle demonstrated actual combat movements, such as pointing its four launchers on the cargo bed toward the sky. The vehicle had its first missile test-firing on Niijima island south of Tokyo last year. Mass production of the launch vehicle started in fiscal 2023, with China's increasing military activities in mind. Starting this fiscal year, the launch vehicles are expected to be deployed to seven surface-to-ship missile regiments from Hokkaido to Okinawa Prefecture. About 870 million yen ($6 million) has been allocated for ammunition alone in the Fuji Firepower Exercise. To address chronic personnel shortages, the Self-Defense Forces invited about 3,800 junior high and high school students and their parents to the drill, which was also streamed online in real-time.
The Mainichi
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan GSDF livestreams popular live-fire exercise at foot of Mt. Fuji
The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on June 8 conducted one of Japan's largest live-fire training exercises in Shizuoka Prefecture, which was also livestreamed. Around 2,000 people participated in the annual Fuji Firepower Exercise held within the GSDF's Higashi-Fuji Maneuver Area near Mount Fuji. The scenario involved intercepting enemies invading island areas, with China's maritime expansion in mind. The Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, specializing in remote island defense, practiced maneuvers such as the deployment of V-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing transport aircraft. The exercises are held annually to educate people about the realities of firepower combat. The GSDF said that this year it aimed for a program that was more impactful, with a sense of speed. The event was streamed online for the first time in two years. Around 76.6 metric tons of ammunition was used in the exercises -- exceeding the amount used last year, and valued at some 870 million yen (approx. $6 million). Artillery, including about 50 tanks and armored vehicles and some 60 cannons, repeatedly fired toward the foot of Mount Fuji. Some components of long-range missiles under development, which aim to strike enemy missile-firing locations in emergency situations, were also revealed for the first time. The apparent aim is to domestically and internationally publicize Japan's enhanced ability to hit enemy bases in such situations. The once-popular public viewing of the exercise has been canceled since fiscal 2023, but amid difficulties in hiring defense force members, the GSDF is increasing the number of invitations for people such as defense force applicants and their guardians to see the exercise each year.
NHK
08-06-2025
- General
- NHK
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts annual large-scale live-fire drills
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force held its annual live-fire exercises at the foot of Mount Fuji in central Japan on Sunday. The large-scale drills -- the 67th of their kind -- took place at the GSDF's Higashi-Fuji training area in Shizuoka Prefecture. They were based on a scenario of a supposed invasion of a remote island. GSDF personnel responded by bombing targets and firing shots from trenches. Osprey transport aircraft carried members of the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, whose main missions include recapturing such islands in the event of an invasion. The Osprey aircraft will be deployed in phases at Saga Airport in the southwestern prefecture of Saga from next month. Defense equipment was displayed at the site of the exercises, including a newly unveiled launch system for an upgraded surface-to-ship missile. The GSDF says the missile would be used for counterattacks on enemy bases. GSDF officials say the drills are expected to use 76.6 tons of ammunition worth about 870 million yen, or roughly 6 million dollars. The exercises will conclude on Sunday night.
Asahi Shimbun
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
GSDF to conduct first domestic long-range missile drill
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force tests its Type 88 surface-to-ship missile in the United States. (Provided by the GSDF) The Ground Self-Defense Force next month will conduct its first drill in Japan using long-range missiles to prepare the nation for maritime threats, particularly China's expanding naval activities. The drill will take place between June 24 and 29 at the missile range next to Camp Shizunai on the southern coast of Hokkaido, the GSDF announced on May 13. The GSDF will fire nonexplosive Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles at a target in the Pacific within a 40-kilometer radius southwest of the launch range. Each of the two planned launches will occur on separate days, depending on weather conditions. This will be the first time the Type 88, a domestically developed missile with a range of over 100 km, will be launched within Japan's territory. Until now, such drills have been held overseas, primarily in the United States, due to space constraints and safety concerns. Around 300 personnel, twice the number typically deployed in overseas training, will participate in the drill. The GSDF's Northern Army, headquartered in Hokkaido, will lead the operation. Local municipalities and fisheries cooperatives will be notified of the launches shortly in advance. By conducting the drill at home, the GSDF aims to give more units access to advanced missile systems and improve operational readiness. The Japanese government is also exploring the possibility of establishing an additional missile test range on Minami-Torishima, a remote Pacific island that marks Japan's easternmost territory. Furthermore, it is considering holding domestic exercises for upgraded variants of Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles, which have been designated as standoff missiles with 'counterstrike' capabilities under Japan's latest defense policy.
