Japan's First Flight Day

What Is Japan's First Flight Day?

Every December 19th is "Japan's First Flight Day" (日本初飛行の日, Nihon Hatsuhikō no Hi). On December 19, 1910, two Japanese Army officers — Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa (徳川好敏大尉) and Captain Kumazo Hino (日野熊蔵大尉) — conducted Japan's first powered aircraft flights at Yoyogi Parade Ground (代々木練兵場, now Yoyogi Park) in Tokyo. Tokugawa, who flew first, piloted a Henri Farman biplane for about 4 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of about 70 meters and covering about 3 kilometers; Hino also flew his Grade monoplane successfully. Because Tokugawa took off first, he is officially credited with Japan's first flight. (Hino had actually lifted off on December 14, but that was officially recorded as an accidental hop during a taxiing test.) These modest flights marked the beginning of Japan's aviation age, just seven years after the Wright Brothers' 1903 first flight.

The Flights of December 19, 1910

The two army officers had traveled to France and Germany, respectively, to learn to fly and to bring aircraft back to Japan. Tokugawa trained on French Farman biplanes and purchased one to bring home; Hino trained in Germany on a Hans Grade monoplane. The December 19, 1910 trials at Yoyogi were held as the official record-setting flights, and they were recognized as the first powered flights in Japan. Before the event, Hino — reported in the press as a genius inventor — was by far the better-known of the two.

Japan's Aviation Development

From these two inaugural flights, Japan developed its aviation industry with characteristic speed and determination. By WWI, Japan had a domestic aircraft manufacturing capability; by WWII, Japan had produced some of the most technically sophisticated fighter aircraft in the world, including the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero." In the postwar period, under Occupation restrictions on aircraft production, Japan rebuilt its aviation industry and eventually produced civilian and military aircraft, while also hosting major international aerospace manufacturers.

Japan's Aerospace Industry Today

Japan today has a significant aerospace industry — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and others manufacture aircraft components and systems for both domestic and international programs. The Mitsubishi SpaceJet (formerly MRJ) regional jet program — Japan's attempt to produce a full commercial passenger airliner — encountered significant development challenges and was cancelled in 2023.

Fun Facts

• Yoyogi Park connection: The Yoyogi Parade Ground where Japan's first flights occurred later became the site of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics athletes' village, and is now Yoyogi Park — one of Tokyo's most popular urban parks, where a monument marking "the birthplace of Japanese aviation" stands alongside busts of Tokugawa and Hino.
• Sky Day: Japan's "Sky Day" on September 20 traces back to "Aviation Day," established in 1940 partly to mark the 30th anniversary of the first flight; it was renamed "Sky Day" in 1992.
• Speed of adoption: Japan's first powered flights occurred just seven years after the Wright Brothers' 1903 Kitty Hawk flights — a remarkably short time given the geographic distance and the technology transfer required.