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Tragic Explosion Kills Three Japanese Soldiers During Drill

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

An explosion during a live-fire drill at the Hijudai training area in Oita, Japan, on April 21, 2026, killed three Ground Self-Defense Force personnel inside a Type 10 tank.
The three killed were Kentaro Hamabe, tank commander, 45; Shingo Takayama, gunner, 31; and Kozo Kanai, safety officer, 30.
The injured driver was hospitalized with serious burns.
GSDF Chief of Staff Masayoshi Arai suspended live-fire exercises with Type 10 and Type 90 tanks pending investigation.

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Story summary

An explosion during a live-fire drill at the Hijudai training area in Oita, Japan, on April 21, 2026, killed three Ground Self-Defense Force personnel inside a Type 10 tank.
The three killed were Kentaro Hamabe, tank commander, 45; Shingo Takayama, gunner, 31; and Kozo Kanai, safety officer, 30.
The injured driver was hospitalized with serious burns.
GSDF Chief of Staff Masayoshi Arai suspended live-fire exercises with Type 10 and Type 90 tanks pending investigation.