April 22, 2026

Three Ground Self-Defense Force members died and one other was seriously injured on April 21 in a shell explosion that occurred inside a state-of-the-art type 10 tank at the GSDF Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture.

According to the GSDF, the accident occurred at around 8:40 a.m. on the day. During a live-fire training exercise, a 120-millimeter anti-tank shell exploded inside the tank’s turret.

Local peace activist, Urata Ryuji, said, “It is the most ghastly accident experienced by the GSDF as far as I know.” He continued to say that the national government and the Defense Ministry claim that the safety is their primary concern, but the fatal accident occurred. He demanded that live-fire training drills be suspended.