A Japanese fighter aircraft dating from the Second World War has been recovered from coastal waters in Kagoshima Prefecture, more than 80 years after it was lost in combat.
The aircraft, a Shiden Kai used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, crashed into the sea near Akune City on 21 April 1945 during an engagement with American forces. The plane’s pilot, Lieutenant Hayashi Yoshishige, was killed.
The wreck had remained undisturbed ever since, lying roughly 300 metres offshore at a depth shallow enough to be visible in clear conditions.
The retrieval was organised by a local heritage group dedicated to preserving wartime remains. Work commenced mid-morning on Wednesday, using a crane to pull pieces of the aircraft off the seabed. Each section was carefully lifted and loaded onto a barge situated adjacent to the recovery site.
Even after decades underwater, parts of the structure were still clearly identifiable. Sections of the wings and fuselage had held their shape, prompting interest from those observing the operation. The condition of the remains has been described as notable, given the long exposure to saltwater.
Introduced late in the war, the Shiden Kai was among the more advanced fighters fielded by Japan. It was developed to address shortcomings in earlier designs, incorporating improved handling and a revised wing configuration. Armed with four 20 mm cannons, it was capable in combat and, in some circumstances, able to challenge newer Allied aircraft. However, production difficulties and shortages limited how widely it could be deployed.
Himoto Eisuke, who heads the organisation behind the project, said the aircraft had survived better than expected. He pointed to the preservation of its overall outline, suggesting it retained a strong visual presence despite the passage of time.
“Using a large crane, workers recovered the plane’s parts from the water one after another and put them on a barge. The fighter’s wings were clearly recognisable despite spending so long in seawater,” added Eisuke.
Following recovery, the aircraft is to be moved to port for conservation treatment. Specialists will place the remains in a tank designed to draw out salt deposits gradually, a process expected to take around a year.
There are plans to display the aircraft once preservation work is complete. Organisers hope it will provide insight into wartime aviation while also encouraging reflection on the consequences of conflict.
Sources : NHK
