Akashi Air Raids

Akashi was home to the Kawasaki Aircraft Akashi plant, one of Japan's most important aero-engine and airframe factories, employing about 40,000 people. The first raid, on 19 January 1945, was the first full-scale air raid on Hyogo Prefecture: 62 B-29s dropped about 154 tons of bombs in roughly half an hour, and US records state that 39% of the roof area of the engine and assembly shops was heavily damaged. Japanese records count six raids on the city (US records add a single-aircraft sortie on 21 May that left no trace in local records).

Three further raids on the plant followed on 9, 22 and 26 June. The 9 June raid largely missed the factory and instead struck the area around Akashi Park and the western part of the city; many residents who had taken refuge in the park were killed, making it the deadliest single raid, with more than 640 deaths. On the night of 7 July, 124 B-29s switched to the urban area, dropping roughly 975 tons of incendiaries on target and burning about 63% of the city centre; some 360 people died and more than 9,000 houses were destroyed. On 28 July a small attack destroyed the Akashi River water-pipe bridge.

According to the figures compiled by the city, the raids killed 1,496 people, left 64 missing, completely destroyed 11,108 houses and affected 56,971 residents. The Akashi Air Raid Monument beside the prefectural library in Akashi Park was erected on 15 August 1985 by a citizens' group, and the city holds an annual memorial ceremony for the war dead and air-raid victims.