The reason for the explosion of the shell in the container was found out.
In April, at the Hijudai training ground in Oita Prefecture, a 120 mm anti-tank shell exploded during a firing exercise on a Type 10 tank. Three Japanese soldiers were killed, one was seriously wounded.
The Ground Self Defense Force has completed its investigation. The most likely cause of the explosion was unburnt gunpowder residue from the previous shot, which remained in the barrel and triggered an early explosion of the next projectile.
Ammo loading for Type 10 occurs automatically. The version of a blunder by the staff is almost never included.