Chiran Airfield

Military Decommissioning following World War II. The airfield ceased all military operations at the end of the war with the surrender of Japan and the subsequent dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its function as a military airbase became obsolete.

The site of the former Chiran Airfield is now a place of remembrance and education. The most prominent feature is the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots (知覧特攻平和会館, Chiran Tokkō Heiwa Kaikan), which was established in 1975. The museum displays a vast collection of artifacts, including photographs, letters, and last testaments of the pilots, as well as several preserved aircraft. The original runways are no longer operational; their land has been repurposed for roads, public parks, and agricultural use, particularly tea fields for which the region is famous. The outline of the main runway is still visible from the air. Several monuments, a shrine (Tokkō Kannon-dō), and restored barracks are also located on the grounds, serving as memorials to the pilots who were based there.

Chiran Airfield holds immense historical significance as one of the principal departure bases for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service's Special Attack Units, commonly known as kamikaze pilots, during the final stages of World War II. It was a critical operational hub, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945). From this airfield, hundreds of pilots departed on one-way missions to attack Allied naval vessels. Official records indicate that 439 Army pilots died on special attack missions launched from Chiran. The base operated various aircraft, including the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa ('Oscar') and Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien ('Tony'), which were often modified for these suicide missions. The airfield is a symbol of the tragic human cost of the war and the desperation of the Japanese military in its final months.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Chiran Airfield for any form of aviation. The site's profound historical and cultural identity is now firmly established as a memorial and peace museum. Any attempt to convert it back into an active airfield would be considered culturally and historically inappropriate and would face significant public opposition. Its purpose has permanently transitioned from a military installation to a site for historical reflection and peace education.