JSDF Soldier Dies in Grenade Training Accident

May 31, 2024 | News On Japan

YAMANASHI, May 31, 2024 (News On Japan) - Shrapnel from a grenade struck a soldier in the neck during a grenade-throwing exercise at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's (JSDF) North Fuji Training Area in Yamanashi Prefecture, on Thursday morning. The soldier was transported to a hospital but was later confirmed dead.

The deceased has been identified as Takumi Yamamiya, a 29-year-old member of the 1st Division, 1st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Company.

General Yoshitoshi Morishita, Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force, stated, 'Such incidents should never occur in an organization that handles weapons, and as Chief of Staff, I take this matter very seriously.'

Footage from past grenade-throwing exercises by other units shows soldiers immediately taking cover in a safe place after throwing a grenade. Former Eastern Army Commander Etsukazu Watanabe noted, 'You must take cover in a protected place the moment you throw the grenade. Failure to do so can result in dire situations.'

In a typical training setup, the grenade thrower and the instructor stand side by side, with a distance of over 25 meters to the target. Behind them, more than 15 meters away, is the safety officer. After the grenade explodes, the safety officer confirms the situation from the rear before moving on to the next step.

Yamamiya was serving as the shooting instructor during the exercise.

Watanabe suggested that the delay in taking cover might have been due to Yamamiya checking whether the thrown grenade hit the target.

General Morishita confirmed, 'The grenade was thrown near the target and exploded normally. The grenade itself appears to have functioned correctly, and there is no indication that anyone deliberately caused the incident.'

Following this incident, the JSDF has suspended all live-fire training until safety can be assured. An accident investigation committee has been established to determine the cause of the accident.

Watanabe concluded, 'This is truly regrettable. When accidents occur, various unstable elements are involved. It is essential to thoroughly and persistently eliminate unsafe conditions.'

Source: ANN

Typhoon No. 15 Disrupts Obon Travel

Typhoon No. 15 caused growing disruption to Japan's Obon holiday travel on August 11, with dozens of flights canceled and railway services suspended as the storm made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at around 8 p.m.

Typhoon No. 15 Makes Landfall in Ibaraki

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at around 8 p.m. on August 11, marking the first typhoon landfall in the prefecture since official statistics began in 1951, as strong winds and heavy rain spread across eastern Japan.

H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite

Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

Typhoon No. 15 to Disrupt Travel on August 11

Typhoon No. 15 is expected to approach and likely make landfall somewhere in the Kanto region on August 11, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that could disrupt conventional rail services, expressways and flights while also affecting a wider area extending into Tohoku.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Up to 3 Million Yen in Aid Planned for Kumamoto Earthquake Victims

Prime Minister Takaichi said on August 10 that the government expects to apply the Disaster Victims' Livelihood Recovery Support Act across all of Kumamoto Prefecture, allowing households whose homes were completely destroyed in the Kumamoto earthquake to receive up to 3 million yen in assistance.

Nagasaki Marks 81st Anniversary With Call to Uphold Non-Nuclear Principles

Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on August 9 with a memorial ceremony near the hypocenter, where Mayor Shiro Suzuki declared nuclear weapons an "absolute evil" and called on the Japanese government to uphold its Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

BOJ Rate Pressure Puts Takaichi’s Economic Agenda Under Scrutiny

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic strategy faced renewed pressure on August 7 as attention shifted toward the Bank of Japan’s September policy meeting, with central bank officials preparing a series of public appearances that could signal whether another interest-rate hike is becoming likely after recent yen turmoil and fiscal concerns.

Hiroshima Marks 81 Years Since Atomic Bombing With Peace Ceremony

Hiroshima marked the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6 with a peace memorial ceremony at Peace Memorial Park, where Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned of the growing danger that nuclear weapons could be used and called for renewed action toward their abolition.

Japan Moves to Slash Food Consumption Tax

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government formally approved a plan on August 5 to reduce the consumption tax rate on food and nonalcoholic beverages from 8% to 1% for two years beginning in April 2027, setting the stage for a difficult parliamentary battle over how to cover an estimated 10 trillion yen revenue shortfall and whether the politically sensitive tax can be restored afterward.

Japan Defense White Paper Sparks Debate Over Military Buildup

Japan’s latest defense white paper has sparked controversy by presenting the country’s expanding military buildup not only as a national security necessity but also as a potential engine of economic growth, drawing criticism from China and raising fresh domestic questions over how far Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is prepared to link defense, industry and fiscal policy.

Takaichi Tax Cut Clears LDP As BOJ Pressure Deepens Market Test

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s food-tax cut plan cleared a major ruling party hurdle on August 5, intensifying debate over whether her government can deliver household relief without weakening fiscal credibility or drawing the Bank of Japan deeper into the administration’s economic agenda.

Zelenskyy Orders Stronger Diplomatic Engagement With Japan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed diplomatic officials on August 3 to strengthen relations with Japan, expressing disappointment with the results achieved so far and raising speculation that Kyiv is seeking Japanese weapons supplies.

< 2 3 4 5 >