Asuka Village

Asuka Village is located in Nara Prefecture, which is situated almost in the center of the Kinki region and forms the core of Western Japan. Asuka Village is famous as being the capital of Japan for approx. 120 years from 592 to 710. This period is known as the Asuka period.

Given that this is the place where the Taika Reforms were implemented, giving birth to the first form of centralized governmental authority in Japan under the Ritsuryo codes, it is also known for being the site of many excavations of palaces and other buildings from the Asuka period. One of the preeminent temples is Asuka-dera Temple.

Asuka Village is located in the midst of an expansive and verdant rural area, and throughout the village, you can feel the culture and history that have been nurtured here over the course of 1,400 years.

The Japan Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF) Nara Air Base is located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. It is the only JASDF base in the Kansai region and is home to the JASDF Officer Candidate School. This is the only school of its kind in Japan and is an institution that personnel must attend to become JASDF officers.

The school seeks to foster the qualities of JSDF officers in graduates of the National Defense Academy, National Defense Medical College, and other public universities, and also provides training and education so that students can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for fulfilling missions as junior officers.