Matsuyama Airfield

Military Deactivation and Conversion. The airfield was not closed in the traditional sense but was disestablished as an Imperial Japanese Navy air base following the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II. The site was subsequently converted for civilian use.

The site of the former naval air base is now the location of the modern, fully operational Matsuyama Airport (IATA: MYJ, ICAO: RJOM). The original wartime runways and facilities have been replaced and upgraded over the decades to serve as a major domestic airport for the Shikoku region. A portion of the area is also occupied by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) as Camp Matsuyama, continuing a military presence on the grounds.

The site was originally the Matsuyama Naval Air Base (松山海軍航空基地), a significant airfield for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. Established in October 1941, it served as a major training base for fighter pilots. Its most famous role was as the home base for the elite 343rd Naval Air Group (Dai San-Yon-San Kaigun Kōkūtai), an expert fighter unit formed in late 1944 under the command of Captain Minoru Genda. This unit, known as the 'Squadron of Experts' (Tsurugi Butai), flew the advanced Kawanishi N1K2-J 'Shiden-Kai' (Allied code name 'George') fighter. They engaged in intense aerial combat against American B-29 bombers and carrier-based fighters over western Japan in the final months of the war, making the airfield a key site in late-war Japanese air defense.

Not applicable. The original military airfield will not reopen as it has been completely redeveloped and is currently active as the civilian Matsuyama Airport (MYJ/RJOM). There are no plans to revert the site to its former military-only status.