Kashiwa Airfield

Post-war military drawdown and subsequent urban redevelopment. Following the end of World War II and the US occupation, the airfield was deemed unnecessary for Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The vast and valuable land was officially returned to the Japanese government by the United States military and was subsequently allocated for large-scale urban development to accommodate the rapid growth of the Tokyo metropolitan area, rather than being converted into a civilian airport.

The former airfield site has been completely redeveloped and is now unrecognizable as an airport. The land is occupied by a diverse mix of public, academic, commercial, and residential facilities. Key developments on the site include:
- **Kashiwanoha Park (柏の葉公園):** A large public park that occupies a central portion of the former airfield.
- **University Campuses:** The University of Tokyo's Kashiwa Campus and Chiba University's Kashiwa-no-ha Campus are located on the grounds.
- **Kashiwanoha Industrial Complex (柏の葉工業団地):** A zone for factories and businesses.
- **Government and Public Facilities:** Including schools, a police station, and the Kashiwa National Cancer Center.
- **Residential and Commercial Areas:** Centered around the Kashiwanoha-campus railway station.
A small monument dedicated to the history of the airfield stands within Kashiwanoha Park, serving as one of the few public reminders of the site's past.

Kashiwa Airfield was a critically important air base for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) during World War II. Constructed between 1938 and 1941, its primary mission was the air defense of the capital, Tokyo. It was home to several elite fighter Sentai (groups/wings), including the 53rd Sentai flying the Kawasaki Ki-45 'Toryu' heavy fighter, and later the 18th and 28th Sentai flying advanced fighters like the Kawasaki Ki-100 and Ki-61 'Hien'. These units were responsible for intercepting American B-29 Superfortress bombing raids. After Japan's surrender in 1945, the facility was taken over by the United States Armed Forces and operated as 'Kashiwa Air Base'. It was used by various US Army units, including the 1st Cavalry Division, during the occupation period until it was gradually returned to Japanese control in the 1950s.

None. There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening Kashiwa Airfield. The site has been fully and densely redeveloped into a thriving urban center. The land is now occupied by critical infrastructure, major university campuses, and established communities, making any reversion to aviation use physically and economically impossible.