Iwakuni Airfield

Cessation of initial civilian operations. The primary reason for the suspension of commercial flights in 1964 was the opening of the nearby Hiroshima Airport, which was better equipped to handle the region's passenger traffic at the time. The airfield itself never closed; it reverted to being a purely military installation for the subsequent decades.

The site is not closed. It is a very active and strategic military base known as Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCAS Iwakuni), home to U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) aviation units. Furthermore, civilian operations resumed in December 2012 with the opening of a new passenger terminal. The civilian airport is named Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport (IATA: IWK, ICAO: RJOI) and operates alongside the military base, offering domestic flights to major Japanese cities like Tokyo.

The airfield was originally established in 1938 as an Imperial Japanese Navy air station. After World War II, it was occupied by various Allied forces before becoming a major United States Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS Iwakuni). From 1952 to 1964, it operated as a joint-use facility, handling both military operations and domestic civilian flights. During its active military history, it served as a key logistical and operational hub for U.S. forces during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The airport has already reopened to civilian traffic. After a 48-year hiatus, commercial flights resumed on December 13, 2012. The modern Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport terminal was constructed on the base, re-establishing the facility as a joint civil-military airport. There are no plans for closure; rather, its role as both a military and civilian hub is well-established.