Three members of Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) lost their lives, and one was injured due to a premature tank shell explosion during a training exercise in southwestern Japan. The incident occurred at the GSDF’s Hijudai training range in Oita Prefecture around 8:40 am local time on Tuesday. An investigation committee has been established to determine the cause of the explosion.
General Masayoshi Arai, Chief of Staff of the GSDF, identified the deceased as Kentaro Hamabe, 45, Shingo Takayama, 31, and Kozo Kanai, 30, all from the Western Army Tank Unit based at Camp Kusu in the prefecture. The tank commander, gunner, safety officer, and driver were the four personnel involved in the accident, with the driver sustaining serious injuries.
Expressing condolences, General Masayoshi Arai extended heartfelt prayers to the families of the deceased. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that the government is investigating the incident to ascertain further details and the cause. As a precautionary measure, live-fire exercises using Type 10 tanks have been suspended, including similar drills with Type 90 tanks utilizing the same ammunition.
The GSDF’s Hijudai training range, covering approximately 5,000 hectares, is a site for large-scale exercises. The Type 10 tank, involved in the explosion, is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
