Japan Defense Focus Japan Defense Focus

The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces
19
No.
NOVEMBER 2010
Ministry of Defense
Japan
Defens e
Focus
Cover photograph
A salvo of smoke grenades fired by Type 90 Battle Tanks at the Fuji Firepower Review
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa made a speech at the 9th IISS “Shangri-La Dialogue”
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa giving his speech
On June 5, the Defense Minister Toshimi
Kitazawa attended the 9th IISS Asia Security
Summit (the Shangri-La Dialogue) held at the
Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore and he made a
speech entitled “Japan’s Policies Regarding the
Ocean as a Global Commons.”
Summary of the speech
At the beginning of the speech, Defense Minister
accentuated the fact that Mr.Kan, the incoming
Prime Minister at the time, had asked him to
attended the summit, and stressed how much the
Kan cabinet valued peace and stability in the
Asia-Pacific region at an international conference.
Then, he touched on the relationship between
Japan and the ocean and explained that the
ocean had had close connections with Japan’ s
security since ancient times, quoting a classic
Japanese poem called waka composed some
1,300 years ago.
Defense Minister mentioned the history of
handling of oceans in the international community, explaining about the expansions of rights
and responsibilities in regard to oceans of each
country since the U.N. Convention on the Law of
the Sea took effect in 1994, while stating that the
oceans had been acquiring the characteristics as
“the global commons” , just like outer space and
cyber space, and that multi-lateral cooperation
among international and other organizations was
necessary to secure its security.
Defense Minister Kitazawa also gave examples
of achievements of the United States which has
secured the safety of the vast ocean that stretches
throughout Asia for more than past 60 years, and
stated that a close cooperative relationship
between Japan and the United States would continue to play an important role in this area.
Regarding efforts to secure the safty of sealanes, Defense Minister noted that it would be
practical to divide sea-lanes into several sections,
and devise security measures according to each
area’ s specific circumstances. Then, after
describing the situations on terrorism, piracy in
various areas of sea and the counter-measures
against them, he introduced the specific efforts
Japan was making for the maritime security.
In conclusion, Defense Minister Kitazawa
expressed the intention that Japan would continue
to promote various forms of cooperation with the
countries in the region, such as capacity-building,
joint exercises, participation in the like Pacific
Partnership, in addition to Japan’ s own efforts,
saying that securing maritime security with the
multi-lateral cooperation would produce common
interests in international society.
For the full text of Defense Minister’s Speech, see
//www.mod.go.jp/j/press/youjin/2010/06/05.html
Secretary-General of the United Nations
visits to the Ministry of Defense
On August 4, H.E.Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
who came to Japan to attend peace memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, held talks with Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa at the
Ministry of Defense. The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for the
dispatch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for the UN peacekeeping
operations of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH),
and exchange views with Defense Minister Kitazawa on future peace keeping
missions.
Defense Minister Kitazawa said that the administration of the Democratic
Party of Japan is decided to handle international contributions in a positive
manner. This was the first time that the UN Secretary-General visited the
Ministry of Defense.
Defense Minister Kitazawa met H.E.Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United
Nations at the Ministry of Defense.
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MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS
Japan–Republic of Korea–United States Defense Leaders Hold a Trilateral Meeting
Minister Kim, Secretary Gates, and Minister Kitazawa shaking hands
On June 5, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa,
ROK Minister of National Defense Kim, Tae
Young and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert
Gates held a trilateral meeting in Singapore.
The three defense leaders expressed their
firm support for ROK's efforts after the sinking
of the ROK naval patrol vessel, and strongly
condemned North Korea. They also confirmed
the intention to study possible cooperation in
areas such as information-sharing and PSI, and
agreed that it was necessary to send a message
that the three countries would cooperate to deal
with against North Korea.
Regarding humanitarian assistance, disaster
relief and peacekeeping activities, the leaders
agreed to further promotie cooperation on joint
exercise for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in light of the fact that each country
had dispatched troops for reconstruction support
after the earthquake in Haiti and the opportunities for the three countries to work together
were increasing in the areas such as PKOs.
To enhance defense cooperation among the
three countries, the ministers and the secretary
agreed to consider holding Defense Trilateral
Talks on regular basis.
On June 5, Defense Minister Kitazawa, visited Singapore to attend at the 9th IISS Asia Security Summit, held bilateral
meetings with Defense Ministers from ROK, Singapore and U.K.
Japan–Korea Defense Ministerial Meeting
(with ROK Minister of National Defense, Kim Tae-Young)
Cooperation following the
incident of the sinking of ROK
naval patrol vessel
Defense Minister Kitazawa conveyed his gratitude to Minister Kim for the explanation on the
investigation results, and expressed his respect
for that the investigation was conducted in a
scientific and objective manner. And Minister
Kitazawa expressed that North Korea’ s action
was not acceptable, and should be condemned
in the international community and pledged
strong support for the Republic of Korea.
Going forward, two ministers confirmed that
all related countries including the two countries
and the United States would closely continue
cooperating to deal with issues of North Korea.
Japan–Korea defense
cooperation and exchange
Attendees at the meeting
Minister Kim pointed out that there have been increasing opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in various areas, such as PKO
operation in Haiti and anti-piracy operations off the Coast of Somalia, and expressed that the cooperation be further deepened. The ministers agreed
to hold close exchanges of opinions on common security issues such as nuclear and missile issues of North Korea, the modernization of Chinese
military and to take more specific steps for security and defense cooperation.
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MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS
Japan–Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting
(with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Teo Chee Hean)
Japan–Singapore defense
cooperation and exchange
Defense Minister Kitazawa praised Singapore’s
efforts in hosting the annual Shangri-La Dialogue
which contributed to mutual understanding and
promoting information sharing on security
issues. The two ministers concurred to continue
promoting defense cooperation and exchanges.
Defence Minister Teo, as one of the participating
countries in the anti-piracy operations in the Gulf
of Aden, mentioned cooperation between the
Maritime Self-Defense Force and other participating countries.
Regional situation
Defense Minister Kitazawa expressed his appreciation for ASEAN’ s efforts in establishing the
ADMM-Plus, and conveyed his hopes that this
framework would serve as the core for security
cooperation in the region.
The two ministers in talks, together with other attendees
Japan–UK Defense Ministerial Meeting
(with UK Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable Liam Fox MP)
Japan–UK defense
cooperation and exchange
Defense Minister and Secretary of State for
Defence confirmed that defense cooperation
and exchanges between Japan and the UK have
been developing steadily , based on the memorandum on bilateral defense cooperation in
2004 and a joint statement in 2007. Defense
Minister and Secretary of State for Defence
reaffirmed that meaningful exchanges were
taking place at each level on issues such as
defense policies, the regional situation, piracy,
and measures against terrorism. The leaders
agreed to continue promoting on defense
cooperation even after change of government
in Japan.
Attendees at the meeting
Regional situation
Defense Minister Kitazawa explained that activities by the Chinese Navy were
increasing in the East China Sea and the Pacific, and mentioned the incident in
which a helicopter from Chinese navy vessel flew near a Maritime Self-Defense
Force's vessel. Regarding North Korea, Defense Minister Kitazawa expressed concerns on the development of nuclear and ballistic missiles. Defense Minister and
Secretary of State for Defence confirmed to continue exchanging their views on
the sinking of the ROK naval patrol vessel and cooperating further from now on.
Minister Kitazawa shaking hands with Secretary Fox
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CURRENT NEWS
Border Road Repairs in Haiti completed
On May 29, the second unit of International
Relief Team to Haiti (approximately 350 personnel) commissioning in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), U.N.
PKO, for reconstruction support for the major
earthquake in Haiti, completed emergency repair
of the road leading into the neighboring Dominican Republic, and held a completion
ceremony inviting relevant local people.
A t the completion ceremony, Colonel
Masashi Fukunaga, the commander of the 2nd
unit and other relevant persons made a ribbon
cutting to celebrate the completion of repair and
opening of the road. Commander Fukunaga
said, “We have completed repairs on this road,
which is a vital artery for transporting everyday
goods. Hereafter we would like to do our best
efforts for reconstruction of Haiti in cooperation
with local people.”
The repair work of the road began on March 29
and lasted for about two months. A total of 1,700
members engaged in repair works including levee
protection work, raising embankments, and raising its base along Lake Ethan in preparation for
the rainy season.
From May 26, the second unit began new
missions of dismantling the collapsed prison and
removing the rubble, then removing rubble from
inner-city roads in the city from May 31, and
dismantling the collapsed tax office building and
removing the rubble in Port-au-Prince from June 3.
From June 8, the GSDF International Relief
Team and the engineering unit of the Republic of
Korea (ROK) took charge of the same area in
Carrefour region which is at the halfway point
Colonel Fukunaga cutting the ribbon at the completion ceremony for the border road repairs
between Port-au-Prince and Léogâne. Japan and
ROK units worked together on dismantling the
collapsed school building.
The national flags of Japan and ROK were
painted on the GSDF’s trucks appealing that
Japan and ROK cooperated on the reconstruction
assistance activities.
The jointly carried out dismantling of the
school building was completed on July 1. On
July 7, the Japan and ROK units and persons of
the school held a completion ceremony at the
leveled school site, and the children expressed
their gratitude through singing songs.
In August, the second contingent began being
replaced with the third unit (approximately 330
members). The 3rd contingent commanded by
Colonel Toshiya Sasaki headed from Japan to
Haiti on August 17. Accompanying this replacement of unit, the KC-767 aerial refueling and
transport aircraft, Air Self-Defense Force
(ASDF) made a round trip flight from ASDF
Komaki Base, central part of Japan, to Haiti, this
was the first actual mission overseas to transport
the equipment.
Colonel Fukunaga shaking hands with Commander of
the ROK engineering unit at the work site
International Disaster Relief Activities for the Flood Damage in Pakistan
On August 20, based on the International Disaster
Relief Law, Defense Minister Kitazawa issued
the order to the Ground, Maritime, and Air
Self-Defense Force (GSDF, MSDF, ASDF) to
conduct relief activities for the floods that
occurred in the northwestern part of Pakistan in
late July, which deploys about 500 personnel.
Approximately 1,600 people (as of August 31)
died and more than 20 millions of people were
suffered from flooding. Relief activities were
sluggish due to the severing of roads and the
collapse of bridges, and the situation deteriorated.
Then, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of
the United Nations visited Pakistan to observe,
and announced assistance of about US$27
million, and followingly requested emergency
assistance of about US$460 million to the
member countries.
After receiving a request for assistance from the
Government of Pakistan on August 9 (local time),
Members of the dispatch team carrying out on-site
transport activities
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A GSDF UH-1 helicopter flying over the flood-stricken area
the Government of Japan dispatched the assesment
team comprised of officials from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense from
August 13 and examined the situation of the area.
On August 19, Defense Minister Kitazawa issued
instructions to prepare for the dispatch of SDF
personnel, and each service of the SDF proceeded
with the necessary preparations. Then on August
20 the Defense Minister issued an operation order
for International Disaster Relief Mission.
The dispatched units included the International
Disaster Relief Air Support Unit in Pakistan
(approximately 200 members), GSDF, the International Disaster Relief Maritime Transport Unit in
Pakistan (approximately 160 members),MSDF,
and the First, Second and Third International
Disaster Relief Air Transport Unit in Pakistan
(approximately 150 members), ASDF. The units
would arrive at the army airbase in Multan in the
central Pakistan that would be as the base for
relief activities. And three UH-1 multipurpose
helicopters were transported to Pakistan by ASDF
C-130 transport aircraft. The first of three
CH-47JA transport helicopters was transported
there by commercial large-size cargo plane and
the others were transported there by the
MSDF transport vessel “Shimokita”. The 6
helicopters would be used for transportation
of relief supplies, personnel and so on in the
affected areas.
On August 31 two UH-1 multipurpose helicopters began its mission for transporting materials,
personnel and medical supplies and so on
between the Multan army airbase and a material
depot located over 100 km away from Multan
in the southwest.
TOPICS
Pacif ic Partnership 2010 concluded
On July 15, the MSDF transport vessel “Kunisaki”, having taken part
in “Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10)” hosted by the U.S. Pacific
Command, returned to Kure port, and the mission of the two-month
PP10 was brought to completion.
Started in 2007, the Pacific Partnership is an activity in which vessels,
primarily consisting of U.S. Navy
vessels, visit countries in the Asia-Pacific
region and carry out activities such as
medical services and cultural exchanges.
Its objectives include to facilitate collaboration among the participating nations
and to achieve smoother international
disaster relief activities, through
cooperation among the governments,
militaries, international organizations
Local people gathering for medical consultations
and NGOs and so on.
Since 2007, Japan has dispatched several medical officers from the MSDF to carry
out investigation and research. This year, Japan participated with the MSDF transport
vessel “Kunisaki” (approximately 160 personnel) and medical teams (approx. 40
personnel) from the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces. In close cooperation with private organizations such as NGOs (22 persons), they provided medical
services (internal medicine and dentistry, etc…) for approximately 1,700 people in
Vietnam and approximately 2,700 people in Cambodia. They also conducted cultural
exchange activities at local schools, such as Kendo, Taketombo (a T-shaped bamboo
toy to fly), Origami and Japanese language classes. In addition to these activities, they
offered transportation services for people and materials.
Medical services being provided by medical officers in the GSDF’s surgical vehicle
Dispatch of lecturers to the Mali PKO center
From August 14 to 30, the Ministry of Defense
dispatched Colonel Katsunobu Ishibashi, the
officer of the Ground Self-Defense Force, as a
instructor to the Peacekeeping School (Ecde de
Maintien de la Paix) in the Republic of Mali.
Colonel Ishibashi had previously been involved
in international peace cooperation activities in
Cambodia and Nepal, and International Relief
Team to Haiti. In recent years, African countries
have made efforts to solve various problems on
their own strength. This dispatch is not only
to widen the efforts for international peace
cooperation of the Ministry of Defense and
the Self-Defense Forces, but also to support
Africa’s selp-help effort, and consequently to
contribute to peace and stability in Africa. In the
“Civil-Military Cooperation” course targeted
for military and civilian personnel from 16
nations in Africa, Colonel Ishibashi lectured to
about 30 attendees (field-grade and companygrade officers, civilians equivalent to the same
rank) about the importance of building relationships with the local society in international
peace cooperation and international disaster
relief activities.
Colonel Ishibashi conducting a lecture in the Republic of
Mali in the Peacekeeping School (Ecde de Maintien de la Paix）
Self-Defense Force aircraft diverted to civilian use.
Move toward commencing on system design.
Participants of the meeting for the diversion experts
presenting their professional opinions at the review board
for the diversion of Ministry of Defense aircraft to civilian use
On August 20, a report was issued stating that the
diversion of aircraft to civilian use be promoted
in the Ministry at the meeting whose members
included the experts such as professors who had
accumulated discussions on the diversion of
aircraft developed by the Ministry of Defense to
civilian use.
At the previous meetings, the members had
heard from manufacturers of the targeted aircraft
for diversion to civilian use, such as US-2
amphibious search and rescue plane, and XC-2
next-generation transportation aircraft over the
features of these aircraft, the idea of diversion to
passengers transportation or multipurpose
amphibian plane, and challenges on the establishment of diversion-related export procedures,
and deepened discussions. After these discussions, the public comment procedure on this
matter was implemented. At this final meeting,
they concluded their discussions and drafted
guidelines the payment method to the government from the companies implementing the
diversion of the aircraft to civilian use for technical document usage and on the disclosure and
usage procedure of technical documents which
the MOD possesses in order to draw up and
embody the system plan for diversion of the
technology to civilian use.
These aircraft developed by the Ministry of
Defense were purchased by the Ministry of
Defense only, so the manufactures were affected
by the decrease of purchasing number of aircrafts
by the Ministry, arising from difficult financial
conditions and other factors. The diversion to
civilian use will enable manufactures to secure
markets other than the Ministry of Defense, and
reduce their dependence on the Ministry.
To the Ministry of Defense, the development,
production, and sales of aircraft diverted to civilian use can contribute to the preservation and
/enhancement of defense production and technological infrastructure in Japan. The advantages
such as reductions in the procurement costs of
aircraft due to mass production, use of maintenance facilities for aircraft diverted to civilian
use, and so on can also be expected.
From now on, the Ministry of Defense would
move forward to embody the system design for
the diversion, covering issues such as payments
from the companies to the government, and technical documents usage in relation to development
of diverted aircraft. The relevant Ministries and
agencies would work together as a whole to
promote and realize the diversion of the aircraft
to civilian use.
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TOPICS
Introduction of the Defense White Paper
On September 10, Defense Minister Kitazawa
submitted the Japan’s 2010 defense white paper
to the cabinet meeting, The Part I of the white
paper describes “Security Environment Surrounding Japan,” in Part II, “The Basics of
Japan’s Defense Policy and Build-up of Defense
Capability,” and “Measures for the Defense of
Japan” is described in Part III.
Part I describes recent issues in the international community, including the transfer and
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
international terrorism, and regional conflicts,
placing the focus on cyber warfare. The situation
in each country is mentioned in this section.
Regarding North Korea, Part I describes the
situation relating to the development of ballistic
missiles and nuclear weapons, and covers the
facts the sinking of an ROK naval patrol vessel.
On China, this part describes its increase of
defense budget, and activities in waters close to
Japan. The white paper mentioned that “The
lack of transparency of its national defense policies, and the military activities are a matter of
concern for the region and the international com-
munity, including Japan, which are to be carefully analyzed.”
While the National Defense Program Guidelines which will be reviewed in this year, Part II
describes, a report of Council on Security and
Defense Capabilities in the New Era released in
August. This part also covers the budget for
FY2010 and overview of primary defense capabilities (including current situation of SelfDefense Forces deployment on the Nansei
Islands, southwest region in Japan), and the
changes of defense-related expenses and comparison with other countries.
Part III describes the 50th anniversary of the
revision of the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty and
the process for deepening the alliance (JapanU.S. SCC), and explains the situation of the
U.S. Forces realignment since last year. In addition, it describes the Self-Defense Forces activities, such as anti-piracy operations off the Coast
of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, international activities like the PKO in Haiti, and the
dispatches of disaster relief team in Japan, and
so on.
Part III introduces the defense cooperation and
exchanges held between Japan and other countries, and multi-lateral security dialogues such as
the Japan–Australia ACSA and the Shangri-la
Dialogue. Furthermore, it explains the personnel,
defense production and technological infrastructure that support defense capabilities.
With regard to the Reform of the Ministry of
Defense, this part describes the background,
measures implemented, and the status of the
review as of now.
Defense of Japan (Annual White Paper)
Directions from the Minister on the reform of the Ministry of Defense
The main aims of the direction on the reform of the Ministry of
Defense are to secure the trust of the people of Japan, and to
carry out the duties effectively for the Ministry of Defense and
the Self-Defense Forces. With the change in the administration
in September 2009, it was decided that the reform of the Ministry of Defense should be done under renewed discussion by
the new government.
Based on discussions with experts, Defense Minister
Kitazawa issued the directives titled “the centerpiece of
deliberation,” indicating the policy for the reform that should
be undertaken under the new government on June 3.
The Minister’ s directives have clarified that reform of the
Ministry should be reviewed from the perspective of the new
administration which is committed by people’ s mandate, and
on top of advancing with the viewpoint of promoting effective
and efficient defense administration, the concrete direction of
the review is outlined in the following four items.
Defense Minister Kitazawa issuing “The Centerpiece of Deliberation ”—Minister’ s directives on the reform
of the Ministry of Defense
1. Reform of the central organization
1) In order to ensure the effectiveness of civilian control, it is necessary to
establish an assistant system to the Defense Minister, which utilizes the
respective expertise of both uniformed and civilian personnel. While the
Internal Bureau will serve as the center for consolidating opinions, it will
be appropriate to create a framework that allows the Defense Minister to
listen to the organizational opinions from the perspectives of each expertise developed among both uniformed and civilian personnel.
Based on these grounds, new deliberations should be made on the unification of the Internal Bureau and the staff offices within the operational
sections and the defense capabilities build-up sections, as well as the
merging of civilian personnel and the SDF personnel.
2) Another focus for deliberation is the Correction of problems arising from
the two-dimensional organizational structure of the Internal Bureau and
the Staff Offices.
•In order to avoid the overlap of duties between the Internal Bureau and
the Joint Staff in the operational sections, and to speed up decisionmaking processes while ensuring cooperation among civilian officials
and the SDF officers, reviews will be carried out on duties alongside
simulations for the respective situations.
•With a view to avoiding inflexible budget allocations and promoting
efficiency in the defense capabilities build-up sections, reviews on work
duties will be carried out to build up truly effective defense capabilities.
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2. Acquisition Reform
•Ensuring fairness and transparency in contracts
•Reform of maintenance of equipment
•Securing the defense industry and technological infrastructure
3. Securing and Fostering of Human Resources
•Securing outstanding personnel
•Developing ethical minds and the personnel with discipline
•Efforts for establishment of a nursing faculty four-year program
4. Handling of Measures Implemented in the Past to Prevent
Recurrence.
•Steps which have been taken to prevent the recurrence of misconduct
incidents should be continued
•Review of further measures to be required, based on recent misconduct
incidents (such as inappropriate remarks made by officers of the
Ground Self-Defense Force and the Air Self-Defense Force contractrigging bribery case)
DEFENSE POLICY
Anti-Piracy Operations off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
(Anti-piracy operations extended)
Based on the “Law on the Penalization of Acts of
Piracy and Measures Against Acts of Piracy (AntiPiracy Measures Law),” the prime Minister
approved the extension of anti-piracy measures
requested by the Defense Minister on July 16, and
the anti-piracy operations were extended for one
year from July 24. Following that, the Defense Minister Kitazawa issued order for the Self-Defense
Forces operation based on the requirement such as
activity areas, scale of units, equipment and so on.
The one of main reason for extension was that
occurrence of piracy activities off the Coast of
Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden has remained
largely unchanged than before.
The 5th surface unit commences
operations
The 5th surface unit engaged in escort operation for
civilian vessels off the Coast of Somalia and in the
Gulf of Aden, commenced operations from June 5.
The 5th surface unit, the commanding officer, Captain Yasuhiko Shinomura, comprised two destroyers
“Murasame” and “Yuugiri,”with about 420 members. The 6th surface unit (the commanding officer,
Captain Shinobu Mifune, Commander of Escort
Division 3, with about 420 members and 8 Japan
Coast Guard Officers) consisted of two destroyers.
The one destroyer “Setogiri” (commanded by Commander Masafumi Nishiwaki), departed from
MSDF Oominato base in Aomori, northern part of
Japan, on August 23, and another destroyer
“Makinami” (commanded by Commander Tatsuo
Akimoto) departed from MSDF Sasebo Base in
Nagasaki, western part of Japan on 26 August. The
6th surface unit arrived at off the coast of Somalia
in mid-September to take over the missions.
Operational Activity from June to September 2010
1. Number of escort operations: 38 (The 142nd to
179th escort operations) (The 101st to 138th escort
operations under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
2. Number of escorted vessels: 344 (Accumulated
total of 1,158 since the commencement of
escort operations)
*In the 122nd escort operation finished on 10
August, the number of vessels escorted by the
surface units reached 1,000.
[Breakdown]
Japanese-registered ships: 1 (Accumulated total of 9)
Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping compa-
nies: 63 (Accumulated total of 284) (Out of the 63
foreign ships, Japanese citizens were on board 4 ships)
Foreign ships other than the above: 280 (Accumulated
total of 865)(Out of 280 foreign ships, Japanese
citizens were on board 3 ships)
*The above record does not include the 1st-41st escort
operation performed as Maritime Security Activities,
which were performed before the establishment of
the Anti-Piracy Measures Law.
*If the Anti-Piracy Measures Law had not come into
force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers would not have been able to legally escort 274
of the 344 escorted vessels (the 274 foreign ships
not operated by Japanese shipping companies.)
(Information source)
On June 13, destroyer “Murasame,” which was
engaged in 144th escort mission, received information from commercial vessel, which had not joined
our convoy, that the commercial vessel was being
chased by a suspicious small ship. Then a MSDF
helicopter took off from destroyer “Murasame” and
confirmed the suspicious small ship which had two
outboard engines and was carrying seven passengers. Moreover, it visually confirmed that the suspicious small ship disposed something in the sea.
Later on, Turkish warship took over surveillance
activities and the Japanese helicopter returned to
patrol operation.
Replacement by the 4th Air Unit
The 3rd air unit, commanded by Commander Masahiko Shimizu, consisted of about 150 personnel, had
undertaken flight operation in the Gulf of Aden
from February 9, finished its about 4 months service
on June 6. The operation has been taken over by the
4th air unit, commanded by Captain Yasuharu
Kimura, and about 150 personnel.
Operational Activity from June to September 2010
1. Number of flights: 85 (Accumulated total of 318)
2.Flight hours: Approximately 599 hours
(Accumulated total of approximately 2,420 hours)
3. Number of visually confirmed commercial ships:
Approximately 6,580 (Accumulated total of
approximately 22,300)
4.Number of times information was provided to
Japanese destroyers, foreign warships, and/or commercial ships: Approximately 870 (Accumulated
total of approximately 2,730 times)
(Example of information provided)
•On June 2, a MSDF P-3C which was engaged in
patrol operations received information from U.S.
warship that a Panama-registered commercial ship
was attacked by pirates. When the Japanese P-3C
arrived at the scene, it confirmed the commercial
ship had already been hijacked and reported the
situation to the U.S. warship. In addition, the Japanese P-3C searched the area around the hijacked
commercial ship and did not detect any suspicious
boat. Therefore, in reported as such to the U.S.
warship.
*According to the news report, this hijacked commercial ship l was released on 3 June by the Punt
land security forces.
•On June 28, a MSDF P-3C which was engaged in
patrol operations received information about
hijacked Singapore-registered commercial vessel
from German warship. The Japanese P-3C
confirmed the situation of the hijacked vessel and
reported it to the German warship.
•On August 10, a MSDF P-3C detected a suspicious
small boat with contents including a many plastic
containers. This information was provided to
nearby foreign warship and Danish warship that
received information rushed to the suspected boat
and conducted an on-board investigation. Later on,
they released suspicious boat because there wasn’ t
enough evidence of piracy although the boat was
strongly suspicious.
•On August 19, a MSDF P-3C detected a Dhow ship
with suspicious goods including many drums and a
small boat with 8 suspicious passengers, a ladder
and two out-board engines. This information was
provided to nearby foreign warships, A French
ship-based helicopter rushed to the suspected ships
and stopped them by firing warning shot toward
the bow. Later on, the French warship conducted
an on-board inspection, and released them because
there was not enough evidence of piracy although
the boat was strongly suspicious.
•On August 29, a MSDF P-3C detected a suspicious
small boat with goods and people including 7
passengers, a ladder, many plastic containers and
two out-board engines. This information was
provided to nearby foreign warship and merchant
vessels. Later on, a Danish ship-based helicopter
confirmed the suspected small boat and the U.S.
warship conducted an on-board inspection.
Futenma Replacement Facility Bilateral Experts Study Group Report
On August 31, based on the 28 May 2010 Joint
Statement of the Japan–U.S. Security Committee
(SCC), the governments of Japan and the United
States released the Bilateral Experts Study Group
(ExSG) Report on the relocation of the Marine
Corps Air Station Futenma including the configuration and construction method for the replacement
facility to be relocated in the Henoko-saki area of
Camp Schwab.
The ExSG studied two plans such as the “V” plan
and the “I” plan to locate the replacement facility at
the Henoko-saki area in terms of their construction
methods, safety, operational requirements, noise
impact, effects on the local community, environmental concerns, the cost, and construction timelines, and evaluated the results.
In releasing the report, Defense Minister
Kitazawa said, “From here I would like to hold
further discussions with the local community based
on the report in order to verify and validate the
results by the next 2+2 meeting.” He stressed to his
intention mitigate the burden in Okinawa.
In the report, the ExSG evaluated the safety, both
plans could meet standards because the routing for
both plans would be primarily over water. As for
operational requirements, although each plan had
one area of elevated operational risk, both plans
would meet requirements of U.S. Forces.
Regarding the noise impact and environmental
concerns, the ExSG evaluated that the I-shaped
configuration would result in more overflight of
land during instrument approaches and departures
from and to the northeast. It also noted that the
I-shaped plan would reclaim less sea area than that
of the V-shaped plan but the impact on animal and
plants habitat remained to be assessed in the future.
As for construction timeline, the ExSG mentioned
that the I-shaped plan would take approximately 15
months longer to start construction than the existing
V-shaped plan because the I-shaped plan would
need a new design and modification of the Environmental Impact Assessment.
The estimated construction period in the I-shaped
plan would be approximately half a year shorter
than the V-shaped plan because of the smaller
estimated sea area to be reclaimed. However, it
concluded that the completion point for the
V-shaped plan would be approximately 9 months
earlier than the I-shaped plan.
The cost of the I-shaped plan was estimated to be
about 3% less than for the V-shaped plan due to
assumptions concerning the smaller estimated
volume of landfill.
Novemver
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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS
7
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
28,000 People enjoy Fuji Firepower Review
A Type 90 tank firing
On August 29, the 52nd Fuji Firepower Review
of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), was
opened to public in the East Fuji Maneuver Area,
located in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Firepower Review using the modernized
firepower was observed by 28,000 people including Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa,
Parliamentary Vice-Ministers of Defense Daizo
Kusuda and Akihisa Nagashima, General
Yoshifumi Hibako, Chief of Staff, GSDF, and
General Kenichiro Hokazono, Chief of Staff, Air
Self-Defense Forces (ASDF). Lt. General
Edward A. Rice Jr., Commander of the US
Forces Japan, Major General Francis J. Wiercinski, Commander of the US Army Japan, and the
general public.
On August 29, General Hiroshi Yamamoto,
Commandant of the Fuji School served as the
official in charge, Major General Masanori Ochi,
Commander of the Fuji School Brigade served as
the exercise division leader. Approximately
2,400 people consisted mainly by the Fuji School
Brigade’s infantry school regiment, artillery
school unit, tank school unit, and reconnaissance
school unit also participated in the review. About
80 tanks and armored vehicles, about 80 various
artillery, about 30 aircraft, and about 600 other
vehicles also took part in. The event continued
for about two hours, with the first part of the
exercises covering firing against an enemy’s
landing operations, and the second part covering
firing through the collaboration of various types
of units of GSDF.
At the beginning of the review, two F2 fighters
from 8th Air Wing, ASDF entered at low altitude,
and as they climbed and turned steeply, explosives went off on the ground. Next, long-range
artillery firepower, Type 99 155 mm selfpropelled howitzers, 155 mm howitzer FH70,
and 203 mm self-propelled howitzer gave a
firing demonstration. The tracer firing that made
the shells explode in midair, by slightly staggering the fire-timing of each artillery draw the
silhouette of Mt. Fuji was which depicted in the
sky 3 km away from the spectator stands, where
the audience applauded with great cheer.
After that, 120 mm mortars and other midrange firepower were fired, and close-range
shooting was performed by the infantry’s 84 mm
recoilless rifles, 35 mm machine gun on Type 89
infantry fighting vehicles and more. After this,
Type 90 tanks made running fire and the
Airborne Brigade demonstrated flying in a group
and free drop.
In the second part, reconnaissance activities
were carried out by reconnaissance unit with
motorcycles that had been airlifted in by UH-1
utility helicopters. As AH-1S anti-tank helicopter
and AH-64D attack helicopter provided covering
fire, for troops and high mobility vehicles that
lifted by UH-60JA utility helicopters and CH47JA transport helicopters secured the main
points while Type 87 reconnaissance and patrol
vehicles broke through the enemy’s territory
with receiving covering fire from the artillery
unit and tanks. In addition, to prevent a counterattack from the enemy, UH-1 helicopter scattered
anti-tank landmines. Type 90 tanks, Type 74
tanks, and Type 89 infantry firing vehicles
provided covering fire for an engineering unit
that included Type 92 mine-clearance vehicle. In
the final, the review ended with conducting a
full-forces assault led by the tank company.
In the intermission, the US Army Japan military band gave a musical performance.
After the review, the many visitors crowded
around the latest New Tank(trial product), which
was displayed in the venue for the first time, and
took pictures of the tank.
Spectators enjoy the Firepower Review
INTERVIEW
30th Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force, Admiral, Masahiko Sugimoto
Admiral Masahiko Sugimoto, the former Commander
in Chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, was appointed
as the 30th Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense
Force on July 26. We interviewed him on his
duties as the Chief of Staff.
become particularly important to build the trust in
confidence-building with other countries through
defense exchanges and defense cooperation, and
to constantly create an environment that is free
from potential threat.
―Could you tell us about the duties of the
Maritime Staff Office and the Chief of Staff
the Maritime Self-Defense Force?
―Could you tell us your plans in taking up
this appointment?
The Maritime Staff Office is an important
organization that draws up plans relating to the
defense and security of the Maritime Self-Defense
Force, supports the Defense Minister, and makes
decisions on all aspects including unit duties,
education and welfare for personnel except joint
and unit operations.
As the chief of the Maritime Staff Office, my
role is to put utmost effort into performing my
duties, as well as to support the Defense Minister
in various aspects, and to work toward enhancing
capabilities of organization.
The mission of the Self-Defense Force is to
ensure Japan’s peace, independence and safety.
However, it is important to defend not only
Japan’s territory, but also the surrounding water in
order to secure the sea lanes of transportation for
trade stability. Currently, 99% of Japan’s trade
activity is made by surface transportation. We
have a significant role in securing the safety of
maritime traffic. In recent years, I think that it has
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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS
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201 0 N o . 1 9
Ensuring territory and the surrounding water of
Japan is the primary mission for defense of Japan.
However, in recent years, there has been increasing number of missions such as disaster relief
activities in Japan, and international disaster relief
activities overseas such as in Pakistan, as well as
anti-piracy operations off the Coast of Somalia
and in the Gulf of Aden. It is my wishes, in taking
up this appointment, to strengthen the forces so as
to be able to respond adequately to these situations
and meet the expectations from people. It will be
challenging to strengthen the units in the efficient
manner amidst the tight fiscal circumstances, I am
ready to do my best.
―Could you tell us about some of the issues
faced on the mission?
Under the constantly changing international
environment, in addition to the Maritime Self-Defense
Force’s primary mission of defending Japanese
territory and the surrounding water, we have been
more increasingly undertaking the missions to be
Chief of Staff, Amiral Sugimoto talking about his plans
required to cooperate with the international
society, such as operations to ensure freedom in
the use of seas, as well as building more stable
security environment.
In such a circumstance, I believe we have to
respond to changes with greater flexibility in
various aspects. If we fail to do so, I feel a sense
of crisis that our organization may not survive.
Henceforth, I believe that it is essential to build
up even stronger trust by driving the necessary
reforms and changing the organization which be
able to respond flexibly to any situations with
collecting wisdoms from all personnel in MSDF.