Matsuyama East Airfield / Minara Gliderfield

Economic and urban development. The land occupied by the airfield was sold and repurposed for a large-scale commercial and leisure development project. The location was deemed more valuable for commercial use than for its continued operation as a small glider field.

The site has been completely and permanently redeveloped. It is now occupied by a large commercial and entertainment complex named 'L'espas City' (レスパスシティ). This complex includes:
- A shopping mall ('Cools Mall')
- A TOHO Cinemas movie theater
- A popular hot spring resort ('Minara Natural Hot Springs Riraku' - 見奈良天然温泉利楽)
- A large farmer's market ('Asatsumi Saisai' - あさつゆマルシェ)
- Various restaurants and retail stores
- Extensive parking lots

There are no visible remnants of the former runway, hangars, or any other airfield infrastructure. The land has been entirely transformed.

The site has a significant dual history:

1. **WWII Era (Matsuyama East Airfield):** Originally established during World War II as the Matsuyama East Airfield (松山東飛行場, Matsuyama Higashi Hikōjō). It served as a key satellite base for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, supporting the main Matsuyama Air Base. It was primarily used for pilot training and as an operational base for fighter aircraft, most notably the advanced Kawanishi N1K-J 'Shiden' and N1K2-J 'Shiden-kai' (Allied reporting name 'George'), which were among Japan's best fighters of the war. The airfield was a target of Allied bombing raids in the final year of the war.

2. **Post-War Era (Minara Gliderfield):** After the war, the site was demilitarized and eventually converted into a civilian airfield known as Minara Gliderfield (見奈良滑空場, Minara Kakkūjō). It became a hub for recreational aviation in the region, primarily used by university aviation clubs (notably the Ehime University Gliding Club - 愛媛大学航空部) and local gliding enthusiasts for training and leisure flights. It served this purpose for several decades until its closure.

None. The prospect of reopening the airfield is zero. The land has been thoroughly redeveloped with significant and permanent commercial structures, making any return to aviation use impossible. The area is now a busy commercial hub for the city of Toon and the surrounding region.