[1] During the Pacific War, as now, the city of Toyohashi, Aichi was an important hub in the transportation network of central Japan.

The city had a fairly small industrial base at the time, but it was more important for its port facilities on Mikawa Bay.

In addition to these strategic civilian targets, Toyohashi hosted a number of military targets, such as a large training area for Imperial Japanese Army recruits located near Aichi University,[2] and the headquarters of several army units, including the 18th Infantry Regiment, the 4th Cavalry Brigade, and the 4th Independent Combat Engineer Regiment.

Toyohashi also had an airfield that served the 381st Naval Air Group which flew Mitsubishi J2M Raiden interceptors.

In the aftermath of the Toyohashi Air Raid, Japanese authorities compiled the following data on the damage done on the night of 19–20 June 1945:[6] Among the buildings that were destroyed were five temples, Azumada Elementary School,[7] and the Kawai Hospital (which was rebuilt, though it has changed ownership and location several times, and is now the Oshima Orthopedic Clinic in the Ihara neighborhood).