Ōwada Communication Site, Military communication facility in Niiza and Kiyose, Japan
The Ōwada Communication Site is a military installation with multiple radio reception facilities and antenna arrays housed on a secured compound near Tokyo. The station operates under U.S. Air Force management and shares its location with the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The facility was built in 1936 for radio interception during the Sino-Japanese conflict. After World War II, the U.S. Air Force took control and has operated it as a communications center since then.
The site reflects the long partnership between Japan and the United States in defense and communications. It represents a shared commitment to regional security that has shaped the area for generations.
This is an active military installation with restricted access and security measures in place. Visitors cannot enter the compound, but the site can be observed from public areas at a distance.
The facility handled significant communications work during World War II and continues to serve important monitoring functions today. Its dual use with a weather agency makes it an unusual combination of civilian and military operations.
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