Tachiarai Factory Airfield

The airfield ceased operations following the end of World War II and the surrender of Japan. The facility, a major Imperial Japanese Army Air Service base, was a primary target for Allied forces and was heavily damaged by U.S. bombing raids in March and May 1945. After the war, as part of the disarmament of Japan under Allied occupation, the military installation was permanently dismantled.

The former airfield site has been completely redeveloped and shows no visible remnants of its runways or original military structures. The specific coordinates (33.40659, 130.60343) point directly to the main building of the Kirin Brewery Fukuoka Factory, which occupies a large portion of the former airfield grounds. The entire area is now a major industrial park. The history of the site is preserved at the nearby Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to the memory of the Kamikaze pilots and other victims associated with the airfield.

Tachiarai Airfield was one of the most significant military air bases in western Japan during World War II. Its primary roles included:
1. **Flight Training:** It was a major training center for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, graduating numerous pilots. Towards the end of the war, it became infamous as a key training and departure base for Kamikaze special attack pilots.
2. **Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair:** The designation 'Factory Airfield' specifically refers to its connection with the adjacent Kyushu Aircraft Company (Kyushu Hikoki K.K.). This factory produced and repaired various military aircraft, most notably the K11W 'Shiragiku' (White Chrysanthemum) advanced trainer, which was also adapted for use in Kamikaze missions. The airfield was essential for test flights and delivering newly built aircraft.
3. **Strategic Base:** Due to its size and facilities, it served as a vital operational and logistical hub for air operations. The devastating B-29 bombing raids in 1945 destroyed most of the facilities and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of military personnel, civilian factory workers, and mobilized students.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Tachiarai Factory Airfield. The land has been extensively and permanently redeveloped for industrial and commercial use for many decades. Its historical identity is now preserved through a memorial museum rather than as an active aviation facility.