Southwest Japan Airport’s Increasing Use For Military Drills Irks Residents

The increasing military use of a civilian airport in southwest Japan—thought to be related to contingency drills with China in mind—is sparking local concern, Atsushige Nakamura reported for Mainichi Japan.

The growing Kumamoto Airport military activity—without clear communication with the community—has led to anxiety and distrust among local residents. I Photo: Kyushu x Tokyo 

In 2024, U.S. military aircraft landed 317 times at 21 civilian airports across Japan, with Aso Kumamoto Airport in the town of Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, recording the highest number at 88, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

With a focus on China, Japan and the U.S. frequently conduct joint training exercises to defend remote islands in southwest Japan’s Kyushu region and Okinawa Prefecture.

Experts believe the increased use of Aso Kumamoto Airport is due to its geographical advantages and operational convenience for participating units. The growing military activity—without clear communication with the community—has led to anxiety and distrust among local residents.

Kosei Baba, a 73-year-old town assembly member in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, who lives near the airport, recalled seeing an Osprey transport aircraft fly over his home in late February.

“It flew over the top of that cedar tree. I wondered if it was returning from an exercise. The sound was completely different from that of a passenger plane,” he said.