Fuchū Air Base, 日本の東京都府中市にある航空自衛隊の基地
Fuchū Air Base is an air base in the city of Fuchū in western Tokyo, spread across a large area with runways and buildings. The facility is now partly operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, which monitors air traffic and weather from here, while public parks and sports fields occupy portions of the grounds.
The base was built in 1940 by the Imperial Japanese Army and served as a military site during the war before being taken over by American forces in 1945. From 1957, the Japan Self-Defense Forces took operational control, and it served as headquarters for United States Forces Japan until 1974, when that command moved to Yokota Air Base.
The base's name and layout show how Japan shifted from independent military control to partnership with the US and later back to self-defense autonomy. Visitors can observe this history through the contrast between older structures and newer facilities on the grounds.
The site is surrounded by streets and residential areas and can be observed from outside, especially when arriving from Fuchū Station, which is about half an hour from Tokyo. The best time to visit is during daylight hours, and visitors should maintain respectful distance since it remains an active military facility with security measures in place.
Two restored fighter jets from the past stand at the base: a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and a Mitsubishi F-1, offering visitors a glimpse of past aircraft engineering. Keen observers can also spot the large parabolic antennas that once supported military long-distance communication systems.
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