November 15 & 16, 2018

A mortar shell fired from the Ground Self-Defense Force Aibano maneuvering ground in Shiga Prefecture flew outside the training area on November 14, and fragmentation hit a civilian car parked nearby. A 71-year-old farmer inside was uninjured.

According to the GSDF Ground Staff Office, an 81-milimeter mortar a GSDF personnel fired during training exercises landed and exploded on a road located on the north side of the training area.

Regarding the Aibano training field, a similar accident occurred three years ago in which a 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullet collapsed a private house's roof and ceiling.

Japanese Communist Party local city assemblyperson Moriwaki Toru said, "Local residents have been requesting the cancellation of live-fire drills using mortars and howitzers. This time, we will demand that all exercises including live-firing exercises be stopped immediately."

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The next day, a liaison group of local peace movements in Takashima City sent a written request addressed to the head of the GSDF Camp Imazu, which supervises the Aibano training area, to take preventive measures.

According to their request, the head of the base should submit a proposal to the Defense Minister, the GSDF, and relevant authorities so that all live-firing exercises and Japan-U.S. joint military drills with participation of Ospreys come to a halt in Aibano.

The liaison group also requested Takashima City Mayor Fukui Masaaki to lodge a protest against the accident.

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Yamashita Yoshiki on November 15 urged the Defense Ministry to thoroughly investigate into the cause, take preventive steps, and suspend live-firing exercises at the Aibano Camp until the Takashima City government gives consent to the restart of live-fire drills.

Past related article:
> SDF’s live bullet hits private house [July 22 & 23, 2015]