Saiki Naval Airfield

Military Disestablishment

The site of the former Saiki Naval Airfield has been completely redeveloped and no longer exists as an aviation facility. The original runways and military buildings have been removed. The land is now used for a variety of purposes:

- **Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF):** A significant portion of the site is occupied by the JMSDF Saiki Base, which is a naval port facility, not an airbase.
- **Industrial Park:** Part of the former airfield is now an industrial zone with factories and warehouses.
- **Public and Educational Facilities:** Oita Prefectural Saiki Kakujo High School (大分県立佐伯鶴城高等学校) is located on the former airfield grounds.
- **Residential and Commercial Areas:** The surrounding area has been developed with housing and local businesses.

There are no visible remnants of the original runways.

Saiki Naval Airfield was a major air base for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. Established on April 1, 1938, it was home to the Saiki Naval Air Group (佐伯海軍航空隊, Saiki Kaigun Kōkūtai). The base was strategically located to control the Bungo Channel, a vital waterway connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Seto Inland Sea. Its primary roles included:

1. **Training:** It served as a key training center, particularly for land-based torpedo bomber crews flying aircraft like the Mitsubishi G3M 'Nell' and G4M 'Betty'.
2. **Operational Sorties:** The base launched patrols and combat missions throughout the war.
3. **Air Defense:** It played a role in the defense of Kyushu against Allied air raids.

Towards the end of the war, the airfield was a frequent target for American B-29 Superfortress bombers and carrier-based aircraft. Operations ceased with the surrender of Japan in August 1945, leading to the airfield's closure and the disbandment of its air group. The ICAO code 'JP-1198' is a non-standard, modern identifier used in databases for historical airfields and does not represent an official code from its time of operation.

None. The land has been permanently and extensively redeveloped for military, industrial, educational, and residential use. The cost and logistical challenges of acquiring the land and removing existing infrastructure make the prospect of reopening it as an airport infeasible. There are no known plans or proposals to re-establish an aviation facility at this location.