East Fuji Maneuver Area
Encyclopedia
is the major training grounds for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
on Honshū
, Japan. It is one of several military facilities located in the foothills of Mount Fuji
and extends over parts of Gotemba, Susono
and Oyama
, in Shizuoka Prefecture
. Its total area is 88.09 square kilometers.
has been associated with the military since medieval times. The samurai
of the Kamakura Shogunate
conducted military training in this area in the 13th century. In the modern era, the Imperial Japanese Army
began using the sparsely populated area as a training ground since 1898. The "Fuji-Susono Maneuver Area" was formally established in 1912. To support training activities, a number of military bases were established in the vicinity, including Camp Takigahara
(1908), Camp Itazuma
(1909), and Camp Komakado (1936).
After the surrender of Japan
at the end of World War II, these bases were occupied by the United States Army
, and continued to be used for training. In 1951, the area was formally returned to the control of the Japanese government, but continued to be used exclusively by the American military under the status of forces agreement.
The post-war Japanese Ground Japan Self-Defense Force, lacked suitable training facilities, but was only granted access to the East Fuji Maneuver Area in 1959 after four years of legal action over the opposition of local landholders and reluctance by the American military. On July 31, 1966, the East Fuji Maneuver Area and its surrounding bases (with the exception of Camp Fuji
of the United States Marine Corps
, whom share the training area) were formally returned to the control of the Japanese government and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
and military attaché
s from various foreign nations.
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
on Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Japan. It is one of several military facilities located in the foothills of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
and extends over parts of Gotemba, Susono
Susono, Shizuoka
is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 54,027 and a density of 390 persons per km²...
and Oyama
Oyama, Shizuoka
is a town located in Suntō District, Shizuoka, Japan. As of February 2008, the town has an estimated population of 20,968 and a density of 154 persons per km². The total area is 136.13 km².-Geography:...
, in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
. Its total area is 88.09 square kilometers.
History
The area around the base of Mount FujiMount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
has been associated with the military since medieval times. The samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
of the Kamakura Shogunate
Kamakura shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
conducted military training in this area in the 13th century. In the modern era, the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
began using the sparsely populated area as a training ground since 1898. The "Fuji-Susono Maneuver Area" was formally established in 1912. To support training activities, a number of military bases were established in the vicinity, including Camp Takigahara
JGSDF Camp Takigahara
is a military base of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, located in Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. It is one of several military facilities located in the foothills of Mount Fuji, and is located across a road from the United States Marine Corps Camp Fuji....
(1908), Camp Itazuma
JGSDF Camp Itazuma
is a military base of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, located in Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. It is one of several military facilities located in the foothills of Mount Fuji.-History:...
(1909), and Camp Komakado (1936).
After the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
at the end of World War II, these bases were occupied by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and continued to be used for training. In 1951, the area was formally returned to the control of the Japanese government, but continued to be used exclusively by the American military under the status of forces agreement.
The post-war Japanese Ground Japan Self-Defense Force, lacked suitable training facilities, but was only granted access to the East Fuji Maneuver Area in 1959 after four years of legal action over the opposition of local landholders and reluctance by the American military. On July 31, 1966, the East Fuji Maneuver Area and its surrounding bases (with the exception of Camp Fuji
Camp Fuji
Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji is an installation of the United States Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. It is located near the town of Gotemba in the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan, at the base of Mount Fuji...
of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, whom share the training area) were formally returned to the control of the Japanese government and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Annual event
The East Fuji Maneuver Grounds is the location for the annual , which occurs throughout the month of August. On public days, the event is attended by the Minister of DefenseMinister of Defense (Japan)
The , or , is the Cabinet of Japan member in charge of the Ministry of Defense, formerly known as the Defence Agency before 2007. The current Japanese Minister of Defense is Yasuo Ichikawa, a member of the DPJ. Yasuo Ichikawa has been the Minister of Defense since 2 September 2011...
and military attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
s from various foreign nations.