New Home Rising for WWII Fighter in Western Japan to Honor History

The Construction of a New Exhibition Hall for the Shiden-Kai Fighter Plane

In Ainan, Ehime, the construction of a new exhibition hall has begun to preserve the only remaining Shiden-Kai advanced fighter plane used by the former Imperial Japanese Navy. This aircraft serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the value of peace. The project is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that future generations can learn from history.

Crowdfunding Success

A crowdfunding campaign launched by the Ehime Prefectural Government to support the relocation of the Shiden-Kai far exceeded its goal, raising about 81 million yen (around $536,000). This financial success has allowed the prefecture to proceed with the construction of a new hall in the town of Ainan. The new facility will continue to convey the lessons of war and the importance of peace through the Shiden-Kai, which experienced the conflict firsthand.

Historical Significance of the Shiden-Kai

The Shiden-Kai was an advanced aircraft introduced by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the final stages of World War II. It was designed to replace the Zero fighter jets as Japan's defeat became increasingly inevitable. The plane was mainly deployed to the 343rd Naval Air Group, stationed in areas including the prefectural city of Matsuyama.

Discovery and Recovery of the Aircraft

The plane on display was discovered in November 1978 by a local diver at a depth of 41 meters in Kura Bay, in front of the current exhibition hall. When it was recovered by the prefectural government the following year, the aircraft was covered in barnacles and had some damage but was mostly intact. It is believed to be one of six Shiden-Kai fighters that went missing after a battle with American military planes over the Bungo Channel on July 24, 1945.

Restoration and Previous Exhibition Hall

After restoring the aircraft, the prefecture built the current exhibition hall in 1980 at the recovery site in Ainan and revealed it to the public. Nearly 50 years have passed since then, and due to the aging of the facility and other reasons, the decision was made to rebuild the hall on an adjacent site.

Relocation Process and Costs

A preliminary inspection conducted before moving the aircraft to the new hall revealed that the process would require great care due to its condition, and the total relocation cost was estimated at about 48 million yen (roughly $317,600). Since this figure far exceeded the original estimate, part of the cost was raised through crowdfunding. In just about two months, 3,109 people donated a total of 81.04 million yen. Of that, 38 million yen (approx. $251,500) will be used for relocation costs, and the remainder will be used to enhance the exhibition.

Design of the New Exhibition Hall

The new exhibition hall will be designed in the shape of a triangle to symbolize a "wedge for peace," and is scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026. It will be a two-story reinforced concrete structure with a floor area of about 700 square meters. Overlooking Kura Bay, where the aircraft was recovered, visitors will be able to see both the sky where the plane once flew and the sea where it sank.

Groundbreaking Ceremony and Message

During the Oct. 10 groundbreaking ceremony, Hirofumi Hashimoto, director of the prefectural government's civil engineering department, explained that "the concept is to create a place where people can reflect on historical facts and the feelings of those involved, to more deeply understand the importance of lasting peace." He also expressed gratitude for the many donations and prayed for the safety of the construction work.