Three Dead in Japan's Self-Defense Force Type 10 Tank Training; Defense Minister: Shell Exploded Inside Barrel
An accident occurred during a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 10 tank training session at the Hibarudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 injury among 4 personnel. The Defense Minister and Prime Minister expressed condolences and vowed thorough investigation and safety management reinforcement.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 14:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 14:31 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 00:36 (10h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, April 21) A tank explosion accident occurred this morning at the Hibarudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture, Japan. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that during a firing exercise with the Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 10 tank, a shell exploded inside the barrel, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 injury among the 4 crew members. He extended his sincerest condolences to the tragically deceased personnel.
NHK reported that it is understood that the training was conducted by the Western Army Tank Unit at the time of the incident, and all four casualties were riding in the latest Type 10 tank. The Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army Headquarters has dispatched personnel to the scene to investigate the condition of the injured and the cause of the shell rupture. No civilians were affected by this accident.
The Western Army Tank Unit stated that it "feels deeply heavy" about this accident, making investigating the cause and clarifying the facts its top priority, and emphasized its commitment to preventing similar incidents from recurring.
Koizumi Shinjiro stated in an interview with media in the Diet building that at around 8:39 AM, during a firing exercise with the Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army Tank Unit's Type 10 tank at the Hibarudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture, a tank shell exploded inside the barrel, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 injury among the 4 crew members.
He further stated that details and the exact cause of the accident are still being confirmed. He expressed deep regret over the development of the situation and extended his sincerest condolences to the tragically deceased personnel. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will commit to investigating the cause and thoroughly strengthening safety management.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also posted on X shortly after noon, stating, "Currently, the factual details and cause are still being confirmed. I deeply regret the development of the situation, express my heartfelt condolences to the deceased personnel, and extend sincere sympathy to their families. The government will commit to investigating the cause and thoroughly strengthening safety management."
According to the Self-Defense Force's official website, the Type 10 tank is the 4th generation main battle tank of the Ground Self-Defense Force. It has an overall length of approximately 9.5 meters, a width of approximately 3.2 meters, a height of approximately 2.3 meters, a total weight of about 44 tons, a maximum speed of about 70 kilometers per hour, and a crew of 3.
The Hibarudai Training Area spans Kusu Town, Kokonoe Town, and Yufu City in Oita Prefecture, with a total area of about 4,900 hectares, equivalent to 1,400 Tokyo Domes. It is one of the largest Ground Self-Defense Force training areas in Western Japan. In addition to daily training, it is also frequently used for joint training with U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Websites of surrounding local governments show that firing exercises were already scheduled at this training area today. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, April 21) A tank explosion accident occurred this morning at the Hibarudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture, Japan. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that during a firing exercise with the Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 10 tank, a shell exploded inside the barrel, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 injury among the 4 crew members. He extended his sincerest condolences to the tragically deceased personnel.
NHK reported that it is understood that the training was conducted by the Western Army Tank Unit at the time of the incident, and all four casualties were riding in the latest Type 10 tank. The Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army Headquarters has dispatched personnel to the scene to investigate the condition of the injured and the cause of the shell rupture. No civilians were affected by this accident.
The Western Army Tank Unit stated that it "feels deeply heavy" about this accident, making investigating the cause and clarifying the facts its top priority, and emphasized its commitment to preventing similar incidents from recurring.
Koizumi Shinjiro stated in an interview with media in the Diet building that at around 8:39 AM, during a firing exercise with the Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army Tank Unit's Type 10 tank at the Hibarudai Training Area in Oita Prefecture, a tank shell exploded inside the barrel, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 injury among the 4 crew members.
He further stated that details and the exact cause of the accident are still being confirmed. He expressed deep regret over the development of the situation and extended his sincerest condolences to the tragically deceased personnel. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will commit to investigating the cause and thoroughly strengthening safety management.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also posted on X shortly after noon, stating, "Currently, the factual details and cause are still being confirmed. I deeply regret the development of the situation, express my heartfelt condolences to the deceased personnel, and extend sincere sympathy to their families. The government will commit to investigating the cause and thoroughly strengthening safety management."
According to the Self-Defense Force's official website, the Type 10 tank is the 4th generation main battle tank of the Ground Self-Defense Force. It has an overall length of approximately 9.5 meters, a width of approximately 3.2 meters, a height of approximately 2.3 meters, a total weight of about 44 tons, a maximum speed of about 70 kilometers per hour, and a crew of 3.
The Hibarudai Training Area spans Kusu Town, Kokonoe Town, and Yufu City in Oita Prefecture, with a total area of about 4,900 hectares, equivalent to 1,400 Tokyo Domes. It is one of the largest Ground Self-Defense Force training areas in Western Japan. In addition to daily training, it is also frequently used for joint training with U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Websites of surrounding local governments show that firing exercises were already scheduled at this training area today. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150421
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