October 9, 2025

It has been revealed that the government is considering the use of civil airports and harbors designated for military purposes by the Self-Defense Forces even during peacetime - or what it calls “specific-use airports and seaports”- for training exercises involving fighter jets and the transport of explosives such as ammunition.

This information came to light in documents obtained by Yamaguchi Prefectural Assemblymember Fujimoto Kazunori of the Japanese Communist Party through an information disclosure request following the designation of Yamaguchi Ube Airport (Ube City, Yamaguchi Pref.) as a specific-use airport on August 29.

According to the documents, the government plans to conduct SDF training drills at the airport several times a year. It plans to conduct takeoff-and-landing exercises of fighter jets and transport aircraft, as well as “deployment training” involving personnel and equipment necessary for the takeoffs and landings. The deployment training includes exercises using SDF aircraft to transport Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicles (equipped with 105mm guns) and ground-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC3) interceptors.

Fujimoto, at a plenary meeting of the prefectural assembly on September 26, cited the Geneva Convention (Additional Protocol 1, Article 48) which mandates the protection of the civilian population and civilian objects. He warned, “If the SDF uses Yamaguchi Ube Airport, the airport will no longer be considered a ‘civilian facility’ but would become a potential target for attack.” He demanded that the airport’s designation as a specific-use airport be withdrawn.

As of August 29 of this year, 14 airports and 26 seaports have been designated as specific-use airports and seaports. The government intends to use these sites as transportation hubs for SDF units, weapons, ammunition, and supplies based on the assumption that the Nansei (southwestern) islands, including Okinawa, could become a battlefield in the event of a military conflict with China.

Past related articles:
> Dockworkers raise voices in opposition to ports and harbors being used as military logistics bases [September 26, 2024]
> Kishida gov’t’s move to promote military use of civil airports and seaports will increase their risk of being attacked [April 8, 2024]