Two Cadets Killed in Japan Self-Defense Forces Shooting Training Incident

18-Year-Old Cadet Fires at Self-Defense Officer... Arrested on Site
Self-Defense Forces Investigative Committee Formed to Determine Cause

At a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force shooting range, a teenage cadet opened fire, resulting in 2 deaths and 1 serious injury.

According to public broadcaster NHK on the 14th, at 9:10 a.m. that day, a Self-Defense Force candidate undergoing live ammunition shooting training at the Hino Base Shooting Range in Gifu City fired shots at three Self-Defense Force personnel.

The three who were shot were transported to a hospital, but a 52-year-old man and two 25-year-old men ultimately died. The remaining individual is also in critical condition.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Gifu Prefectural Police arrested the 18-year-old candidate who fired the gun on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene. According to reports from Mainichi Shimbun and others, the police believe the candidate fired the gun with intent to kill a 25-year-old male Self-Defense Force member inside the indoor shooting range. The candidate is also reported to have admitted to the charges, saying, "I shot."

The candidate enlisted in April this year at the Moriyama 35th Infantry Regiment of the Ground Self-Defense Force in Nagoya City. Self-Defense Force candidates undergo three months of basic education and training before commissioning as Self-Defense Force personnel. On this day, as part of the first half of the training, they were receiving shooting training at the indoor shooting range starting from 9 a.m.

The Ground Self-Defense Force and the Minister of Defense responded urgently. Morishita Yasunori, the Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force (equivalent to Army Chief of Staff), held a press conference at 2 p.m. that day and announced the formation of an investigative committee. The Ground Self-Defense Force decided to suspend all shooting training nationwide and expedite the investigation into the cause of this incident.

At the press conference, Chief of Staff Morishita said, "We apologize for causing concern to the public. This is an incident that should never happen in an organization that handles weapons," and added, "We will form an investigative committee at the Ground Self-Defense Force level to determine the cause and work to prevent recurrence."

Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu also held a press conference, stating, "I sincerely apologize," and said, "I have instructed cooperation with the investigation, determination of the cause, and prevention of recurrence. I pray for the souls of the two deceased personnel and offer my condolences to their bereaved families."

Since firearm incidents within the Self-Defense Forces are rare in Japan, foreign media also reported this case as unusual. The most recent shooting incident within the Self-Defense Forces occurred in 1984 at the Ground Self-Defense Force Yamaguchi Garrison.

However, considering last year's shooting incident involving former Prime Minister Abe Shinz?, concerns have been raised that the level of heinous crimes inside Japan is increasing. French AFP news agency reported, "Although heinous crimes are rare in Japan, since last year, incidents targeting prominent figures have occurred one after another, causing a stir," citing the Abe shooting incident and the explosive device thrown at Prime Minister Kishida's speech venue as examples.

The police are investigating the suspect's motive and are reportedly in discussions about whether the Self-Defense Forces or the police will take charge of the subsequent investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.