The accident occurred during a live-fire exercise at the Hijudai training area in Oita Prefecture; another soldier was seriously injured after the detonation inside the turret of the armored vehicle.
Three members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force were killed and a fourth was seriously injured after an explosion inside a Type 10 tank during a training exercise at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture.
According to Japanese authorities, the unit was conducting a live-fire training exercise with the armored vehicle when a projectile detonated prematurely inside the vehicle’s turret at around 8:40 a.m. The incident resulted in the deaths of Sergeants Kentaro Hamabe, 45, Shingo Takayama, 31, and Kozo Kanai, 30.
According to local media reports, the fourth crew member was rescued in critical condition.
The Type 10 is the most modern main battle tank in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the armored vehicle entered service in 2012 and was designed to offer greater mobility, protection, and responsiveness against modern anti-tank threats.
The vehicle uses a 120 mm cannon developed by Japan Steel Works, compatible with Type 10 APFSDS, JM33 APFSDS ammunition, and also with standard NATO 120 mm rounds. In total, the tank can carry 36 projectiles, with 14 in the autoloader, 2 behind the gunner, 6 in the ready-ammunition compartment, and 14 in reserve.
Japanese military authorities are expected to investigate the causes of the detonation inside the armored vehicle and determine whether there was a failure in the ammunition, the loading system, or an operational procedure during the exercise.
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Source and images: X @WangHuo62655 | JGSDF | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
10式の惨状が海外記事にすげーはっきりと写ってる
状態はブローオフパネルが作動し砲手ハッチが吹き飛んでる他、パネル右側面の空間も剥がれてるように見えるわね
うーん、爆風が砲塔右後方にまで逃げてるのに隔壁をぶち抜くとは思えん…戦闘室で暴発かぬ [https://t.co/pgloohVkik](https://t.co/pgloohVkik) pic.twitter.com/EeVsgsimJE
— ん、妄想的な野菜生活 (@WangHuo62655) April 21, 2026
