Bato Airfield

The airfield was a military base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. It ceased all aviation operations following the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II. The closure was a direct result of the end of the war and the subsequent dissolution of the Japanese Imperial military.

The former airfield site has been completely redeveloped. The majority of the land, including the area of the former runways and taxiways, is now occupied by the Mitsubishi Motors Okazaki Plant (三菱自動車工業岡崎製作所). This large industrial complex includes manufacturing facilities and a comprehensive vehicle proving ground with a high-speed test track. The layout of the test track partially follows the outline of the old airfield. Other parts of the former base have been converted into residential neighborhoods, public roads, and schools, such as the Aichi Prefectural Okazaki Technical High School.

The site was officially known as Okazaki Airfield (岡崎飛行場). The name 'Bato Airfield' and the ICAO code 'JP-2173' are unofficial, modern identifiers likely derived from the local place name (Bato-cho, 馬頭町) and used in non-governmental aviation databases.

Established in 1944 during World War II, it was a key training base for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. It housed the Okazaki Naval Air Group (岡崎海軍航空隊), which specialized in training crews for land-based bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, most notably the Yokosuka P1Y Ginga ('Frances') and the Yokosuka D4Y Suisei ('Judy'). As the war situation deteriorated for Japan, the base was also used to form and launch 'Kamikaze' special attack units. Its role was purely military, and it never served civilian or commercial air traffic.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airport. The land is a vital, heavily developed industrial site for a major corporation and is integrated into the urban fabric of Okazaki City. Re-establishing an airfield at this location is infeasible due to the extensive and permanent infrastructure that has been built on the site since 1945.