Camp Fuji

As part of the large Camp Butler complex that covers multiple military bases run by the United States of America in Japan, Camp Fuji is run by the United States Marine Corps and is located in the Shizuoka province of Japan, in the immediate proximity of a small town called Gotemba. The camp is named after the mountain nearby. It is located right at its base. The camp spreads over around 300 acres. More than 30 of them are used for firing ranges and training sites. They are used by most of the Marines deployed in the Pacific area. The base is actually a co-base and part of an old contract between the United States of America and Japan. The United States of America are supposed to slowly reduce the military impact on the areas they occupy in Japan, therefore the Japanese forces are supposed to slowly gain control over these areas. It is a long lasting process that will take many more years. These days, it has affected this camp as well. Although it is fully operated by the United States Marine Corps, a small part of it is open to the Japanese forces too. More precisely, the helicopter pads are now the only facilities that can be shared, but more of them are about to come soon.

History

Camp Fuji has a long lasting history as a military installation, but a relatively short one under the American domination. Its history dates back to the 15-th century, during the times of the samurai. Back then, the site was used by the Kamakura Shogunate. Over the 20-th century, the site has completely changed its mission. It was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army, which established a huge training facility, along with multiple smaller camps around it. They were used for the training missions during World War II.

However, World War II reached to an end with Japan withdrawing. At that time, most of the Japanese installations were taken over by the United States of America. Including the small camps around the main facility. They were renamed to Fuji McNair, North, Middle and South. The United States Marine Corps gained control over them in 1953. Small parts were given back to the Japanese forces. For instance, the nearby JGSDF Camp Takigahara hosts the Ground Self Defense Force.

Facilities

Decades ago, the facilities and the overall mood of the military troops was not among the missions of Camp Fuji. No one seemed to care about the troops. This is why there are no family or civilian housing opportunities on site. Those who want to relocate there with their families must look after offsite accommodation. There are almost no recreational sites or activities people can involve in. The medical system is also down, without any medical facilities on site. Those in need must seek help in the nearby communities or at other military facilities. All these things turned the atmosphere at Camp Fuji into a very negative one. Therefore, the authorities have decided to work on the facilities. A comprehensive program was developed in the ’80s and it is still being implemented.