The Type-10 tank, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Steel Works, is the newest main battle tank in Japan’s inventory. (Japan Ministry of Defense)
TOKYO — Three members of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force were killed and another was injured this week when a shell exploded inside a tank during a live-fire exercise in southwestern Japan, officials said.
The blast occurred around 8:40 a.m. Tuesday inside a Type-10 tank at Hijudai Training Area on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, according to a Ground Self-Defense Force news release that day.
The explosion killed Sgt. 1st Class Kentaro Hamabe, 45; Shingo Takayama, 31; and Sgt. Kozo Kanai, 30, Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Masayoshi Arai said Tuesday at a televised news conference. He declined to identify the injured soldier.
The soldiers were assigned to a tank unit under the Western Army, Arai said.
The shell detonated inside the turret during the exercise, killing Hamabe, the tank commander; Takayama, the gunner; and Kanai, the safety officer, and injuring the driver, Arai said.
“I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused to the nation, including the local community,” he said.
All live-fire training involving Type-10 and Type-90 tanks using the same type of shells has been suspended, Arai said, adding he was not aware of any similar accidents involving the Type-10.
Hijudai Training Area, nearly 700 miles southwest of Tokyo, is also used for joint training with U.S. forces, according to the Oita prefectural office website.
The Type-10 tank, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Steel Works, is the newest main battle tank in Japan’s inventory.
The vehicle measures about 31 feet long and weighs roughly 44 tons, with a top speed of 43.5 mph, according to the Ground Self-Defense Force’s website. It is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon with an automatic loader, along with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns.
