"Shell explodes in GSDF tank, 3 SDF members killed, 1 injured"
"...during a live‑fire exercise at the Hijudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture"
(THE ASAHI SHIMBUN - 21 Apr 2026)
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16513586#GSDF #Oita #Japan
Shell explodes in GSDF tank, 3 SDF members killed, 1 injured | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Three Ground Self-Defense Force tank crew members were killed and another injured when a shell exploded at 8:39 a.m. on April 21 during a live‑fire exercise at the Hijudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture.
The incident occurred at the Ground Self-Defense Force's tank unit at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture, and unconfirmed reports said the three may be unconscious.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/21/japan/japan-sdf-accident/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sdf #gsdf #oita
Three GSDF members die after tank explosion during training in Oita Prefecture
The incident occurred at the Ground Self-Defense Force's tank unit at the Hijudai maneuver area in Kusu, Oita Prefecture.
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department on Sunday searched locations related to a Ground Self-Defense Force member accused of trespassing into the Chinese Embassy in the Japanese capital this month.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/29/japan/crime-legal/police-search-sdf-base/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #crimelegal #china #chinajapanrelations #sdf #gsdf
Tokyo police search SDF base over Chinese Embassy trespassing
SDF member Kodai Murata was arrested Thursday after entering the premises of the Chinese Embassy alone and seeking to meet the Chinese ambassador.
Japan has expressed its regret over the break-in at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo by a knife-wielding Japanese military officer, but that is "far from enough," the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/28/japan/politics/china-embassy-japan-regret-insufficient/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #china #chinajapanrelations #sanaetakaichi #sdf #gsdf
China demands more than just regret from Japan after embassy break-in
The Japanese side has not discussed the details of the incident, Lin Jian, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, told a regular news conference.
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The Ground Self-Defense Force has decided to cancel the dispatch of a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft to the Iron Fist joint exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa Prefecture, it has been learned.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/18/japan/gsdf-osprey-drill/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #osprey #gsdf #sdf #us #usmilitary
GSDF cancels Osprey dispatch to drill with U.S. in Okinawa
The cancellation is believed to reflect consideration for local residents' concerns.
As the Self-Defense Forces look to better counter regional threats, Japan’s push to increase the range of its munitions is drawing interest from a growing number of foreign firms.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/18/japan/japan-sdf-howitzers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sdf #gsdf #defense
Japan’s push for long-range weapons draws interest from foreign firms
There is a growing need for a long-range weapon that can be used flexibly as Tokyo looks to boost its overall counterattack capabilities.
Minoru Saba
The Japan Times