October 16, 2025

The national government is forcing local communities to accept the U.S. military plan to conduct a live-fire drill at the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Higashifuji training field (Shizuoka Pref.), which is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, by closing a national road, Akahata reported on October 16.

Under the plan, the U.S. forces will carry out the live-fire training exercise involving the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at the GSDF Higashifuji Maneuver Area on October 27. During the drill, National Route 469 will be closed for three kilometers as rockets will fly over the national highway.

Regarding this plan, the Japanese Defense Ministry on October 14 held a consultation with the three municipalities surrounding the maneuver area (Gotemba City, Susono City, and Oyama Town) and an organization of local farmers who maintain the right to access their farm land within the training field.

Defense Minister Nakatani Gen at the consultation said that when considering changes in the security environment surrounding Japan, the planned live-fire drill by the U.S. military is vital to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. military alliance, urged the locals to accept the plan, and left the meeting abruptly.

Katsumata Ryoichi, who heads the local farmers’ organization, pointed out that military exercises which block off public roads no longer take place across the nation, criticizing the U.S. military’s live-fire exercise plan as being outdated.