Tank explosion during drill kills three in Japan

An explosion during a military training exercise in Japan has killed three soldiers, according to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The incident occurred on Tuesday at a training ground used by the Japan Self-Defence Forces in the southwestern Oita Prefecture.

Authorities said the blast took place inside a tank when ammunition unexpectedly misfired during the exercise. The explosion killed all three crew members inside the vehicle and injured another soldier. The exact cause of the malfunction is still under investigation by defence officials.

Prime Minister Takaichi described the incident as deeply regrettable and expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. She also called for a thorough inquiry to determine how such a rare and serious accident occurred during a controlled training environment.

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The Japan Self-Defence Forces have temporarily suspended similar exercises in the area while safety checks are conducted. Military officials emphasised that training safety protocols are under review to prevent future incidents.

In a separate development on the same day, Prime Minister Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a site dedicated to Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II. She did not visit the shrine in person, according to media reports.

The Yasukuni Shrine remains a sensitive diplomatic issue in East Asia, with visits or symbolic gestures often drawing criticism from neighbouring countries such as China and South Korea, which view it as a symbol of Japan’s wartime past.

The combination of the military accident and the political symbolism surrounding the shrine highlights both domestic safety concerns and ongoing regional diplomatic sensitivities involving Japan’s historical legacy and defence posture.