August 29, 2011

The Ground Self-Defense Force spent 302 million yen on a live-fire drill it opened to public on August 28 at its Higashifuji training field in Shizuoka Prefecture.

At a time when a large amount of public funds is needed for the reconstruction of areas devastated by the earthquake, the GSDF carried out this two-hour “war game” at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

The training exercise was taken part in by about 2,400 GSDF members, 80 tanks and armored cars, 30 aircraft, and 600 other vehicles. About 40 tons of ammunitions were used during the two hours.

Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi observed this largest live-firing drill conducted by the SDF.