More Kirishima and Hyuga-nada land to be provided to US military

Based on Article 2 of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the government has decided to provide an additional approximately 1,700 square meters of state-owned land at the JGSDF Kirishima Maneuver Area to the U.S. Forces, and to newly provide the Hyuga-nada Training Area for mine countermeasures training. The additional and new provisions were decided as of November 6, 2026, published in the Official Gazette on November 10 as Ministry of Defense Notice No. 269, and promulgated in the name of Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi.

The legal basis is Article 2 of the Agreement between Japan and the United States of America regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan, based on Article 6 of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America, commonly known as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The notice publicizes that the additional and new provisions have been decided regarding the facilities and areas that the United States of America is permitted to use under the provisions of said article. Both provided areas are treated as facilities and areas to which Article 2(4)(b) of the SOFA applies, and the relevant provisions of the SOFA shall apply during the period of provision.

Additional Provision of Approximately 1,700 Square Meters of State-Owned Land at the JGSDF Kirishima Maneuver Area

The subject of the additional provision is a portion of a JGSDF maneuver area located in Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and the land is state-owned. This is a framework where the land is provided to the U.S. Forces so that the JGSDF itself can carry out facility improvements, with a period of use spanning over one year.

• Facility Number: 5123
• Facility Name: Oyano-hara / Kirishima Maneuver Area
• Location: Ebino City
• Ownership: State-owned
• Scale of Provision: Land approx. 1,700 square meters
• Period of Use: Approximately one year and six weeks. If temporary buildings etc. are installed, the period of such installation.
• Remarks: Additionally provided for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to carry out facility improvements.

The notice explicitly stated that a portion of the facilities at the JGSDF Kirishima Maneuver Area is provided as a facility and area to which Article 2(4)(b) of the SOFA applies. The relevant provisions of the SOFA will apply during the period of provision.

New Provision of Hyuga-nada Training Area for Mine Countermeasures Training; Altitude Limit Approximately 610 Meters

The newly provided Hyuga-nada Training Area is positioned as an area intended for maritime training, and its use is limited to mine countermeasures training conducted jointly with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The area is the range enclosed by lines connecting four points in sequence, and an upper limit has also been set for the use of the airspace.

• Area markers: 32°09'00" N, 131°33'57" E
• Same: 32°06'12" N, 131°45'03" E
• Same: 32°15'36" N, 131°48'27" E
• Same: 32°18'30" N, 131°37'15" E
• Altitude limit: Approximately 610 meters (2,000 feet) or below
• Purpose: Minesweeping exercises conducted jointly with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Provision period: From November 16 to November 26, 2026

The notification states that this area is provided as a facility and area to which Article 2(4)(b) of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) applies, and that the relevant provisions of the SOFA shall apply during said period.

Operational Impact on Ebino City and Municipalities Surrounding the Base

This decision expands the scope of facilities and areas permitted for use by U.S. Forces Japan in both land-based training grounds and maritime exercise areas. At the training ground in Ebino City, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will carry out facility improvements; therefore, the use of land associated with construction will be newly incorporated into the SOFA framework. In the Hyuga-nada Sea, the provision of areas for joint minesweeping exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will begin from November 16 to 26.

For local governments and base-related personnel, conditions such as the provision period, purpose, and altitude limits will serve as the premises for future operations. In particular, around the training ground, the progress of facility improvements and the duration of land use will be matters for coordination with the community, while in the maritime area, the conditions for the use of the sea and airspace during the exercise period will draw the attention of stakeholders.

The details published by the government, including the date of decision, facility number, area, coordinates, and period, are clearly specified in the notification, and the operational framework has been finalized in writing. The expansion of facilities and areas for U.S. Forces Japan will continue to attract attention in terms of both local explanations and actual operational status.

Source

• Ministry of Defense Notification No. 269 (Official Gazette dated November 10, 2026, Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi)
• Date of decision: November 6, 2026
• Subject: Oyano-hara/Kirishima Training Area (Ebino City, state-owned, land approx. 1,700 square meters), Hyuga-nada Exercise Area (Provision period: November 16 to November 26, 2026)