The accident occurred at about 8.45 am local time at the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) training ground, Kitafuji exercise area, where a 29-year-old male soldier participating in the training was hit by shrapnel from a thrown hand grenade. By another SDF member, Xinhua news agency reports.
The victim was taken to a hospital unconscious, but was confirmed dead about two hours later, and the GSDF is investigating the cause of the incident, which spanned the municipalities of Fujiyashida and Yamanakako, and neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture. National news agency Kyodo reported that another was linked to the training facility.
In recent years, the SDF has had frequent reports of training casualties. Last June, an SD member was killed and two others were injured in a shooting incident at a GSDF shooting range in Gifu Prefecture.
In April, two Marine SDF helicopters collided and crashed during night-time anti-submarine exercises, killing one and leaving seven others missing.
The victim was taken to a hospital unconscious, but was confirmed dead about two hours later, and the GSDF is investigating the cause of the incident, which spanned the municipalities of Fujiyashida and Yamanakako, and neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture. National news agency Kyodo reported that another was linked to the training facility.
In recent years, the SDF has had frequent reports of training casualties. Last June, an SD member was killed and two others were injured in a shooting incident at a GSDF shooting range in Gifu Prefecture.
In April, two Marine SDF helicopters collided and crashed during night-time anti-submarine exercises, killing one and leaving seven others missing.
