SDF personnel who are carrying out activities in South Sudan

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1 SPECIAL FEATURE Japan Israel Defense Ministerial Meeting Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense visits Indonesia, Myanmar, and Brunei Dispatch of transport unit to the Golan Heights and staff officers 1st Unit departs for South Sudan Pacific Partnership 2012 The 16th Tokyo Defense Forum SDF personnel who are carrying out activities in South Sudan

2 TOPICS MEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS Dispatch of transport unit to the Golan Heights and staff officers On February 18 and March 3, 43 GSDF personnel of the transport unit to the Golan Heights (33rd Unit) and 3 GSDF personnel as staff officers (17th Unit) were dispatched to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). The transport unit to the Golan Heights transports daily supplies required for UNDOF s operations, among other supplies, to each camp from locations such as ports, airports, and markets in Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. The unit also provides logistical support, including road repair and snow removal work at a mountain range exceeding 2,800m above sea level. Japan Israel Defense Ministerial Meeting Japan Israel Defense Ministerial Meeting On Thursday, February 16, 2012, Defense Minister Tanaka held a Japan Israel defense ministerial meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Barak, and exchanged views on JapanIsrael defense cooperation and exchanges, etc. Minister Tanaka conveyed his appreciation for Israel s assistance in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Also, he stated that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Israel, and that Japan looked forward to continuing to maintain their amicable bilateral relations. Regarding Japan Israel defense cooperation and exchanges, both sides agreed to exchange views on their security matters. Both sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including North Korea and Iran, and agreed to continue to closely monitor the situation. Defense Minister Tanaka shaking hands with Deputy Prime Minister Barak Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense visits Indonesia, Myanmar, and Brunei From Monday, February 20, to Friday, February 24, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Kanazawa visited Indonesia, Myanmar, and Brunei. In Indonesia, on February 20, Administrative ViceMinister Kanazawa met with Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie and Secretary General of Defense Eris at the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia. At the meeting, the ministers welcomed the recent enhancement of defense exchanges between the two countries. They concurred that while continuing to promote exchanges on a variety of levels, concrete achievements needed to be made in such areas as capacity building assistance and PKO. 2 In Myanmar, on February 23, Administrative Vice-Minister Kanazawa met with Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Soe Win, Defence Minister Hla Min, and Deputy Defence Minister Aung Thaw at the Zeyathiri Beikman. At the meeting, both sides exchanged views on launching consultations among defense authorities for the promotion of bilateral defense exchanges. In Brunei, on February 24, Administrative Vice-Minister Kanazawa met with Deputy Minister of Defence Mustappa and Permanent Secretary (Defense Policy & Development) Saifulbahri at the Ministry of Defence of Brunei. At the meeting, the ministers agreed to advance bilateral relations on a variety of levels, including high-level exchanges and exchanges among units. SDF personnel leaving Japan for the Golan Heights Japan had dispatched two staff officers to UNDOF since February This number increased to three staff officers in Staff officers conduct: planning and coordination of logistical support, including transport; public relations activities related to UNDOF operations; and budget-related activities. 1st Unit departs for South Sudan SDF personnel leaving Japan for South Sudan Since mid-january, members of the 1st Unit of the SDF engineer unit have been consecutively dispatched to participate in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). On February 20, Lieutenant Colonel Teruo Sakama (the Central Readiness Force Regiment), the head of the engineer unit, along with 120 Nations Mission in South Sudan members of the first contingent ofunited the 1st Unit, arrived in Juba. The first contingent left Haneda Airport on a chartered airplane on February 19. On the following day, February 20, the contingent boarded two C-130H transport aircraft of the ASDF s at Entebbe Airport in Uganda and arrived in South Sudan. At Juba International Airport, SDF personnel who had already arrived in South Sudan and members of the South Sudanese Government welcomed the contingent and Barnaba Benjamin, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, expressed appreciation for the SDF s dispatch. With the arrival of the first contingent, the engineer unit stationed in South Sudan now expanded its strength to approximately 180 personnel. By the end of March, the full contingent of the 1st Unit will be in place with the arrival of the approximately 30-member second contingent. From now on, the 1st Unit is expected to build infrastructure at the Unit s camp to prepare for the arrival of the 2nd Unit, planned to be dispatched sometime around May, as well as to conduct engineering work in and outside of United Nations camp. Pacific Partnership 2012 Pacific Partnership is a program hosted by the U.S. Forces since Participants visit countries in the Asia-Pacific region on a vessel and conduct medical activities and cultural exchanges, among other exercises, with the cooperation of various militaries, international organizations, NGOs, and other organizations. The program is intended to promote the smooth coordination of participating countries and implementation of international disaster relief operations, etc. For this year s Pacific Partnership 2012, the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces(SDF) will dispatch one MSDF vessel, ASDF transport aircraft, and the joint medical team of officers from the GSDF, MSDF, and ASDF. In cooperation with Japanese NGOs and participants from other countries, medical activities, public Medical activities health education, cultural exchanges, and other activities are expected to be held in the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from June to July. 3

3 S P E C I A L F E AT U R E Impressions of Operation Tomodachi relief activities by the U.S. forces Don t know 5.2% Have an impression that it was totally unsuccessful 0.8% With nearly 80% of respondents saying Operation Tomodachi was a success in their impression, many people are believed to have a favorable impression of the Operation. The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities carried out by a large-scale U.S. troop commitment in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, were vital not only for search and rescue but also for ensuring the livelihood and safety of the affected people. It is considered that these activities of the U.S. Forces were well received by many of the people in Japan. Have an impression that it has not been much of a success 14.7% Exchange with U.S. Forces A U.S. soldier giving a high five with a child Have an impression that it has been a great success 25.8% Have an impression that it has been a success to a certain extent 53.4% Impressions toward Operation Tomodachi relief activities by the U.S. forces Public Opinion Survey on the Self-Defense Forces and Defense Issues Bathing support activity Overall trend (%) Have an Interest Have no Interest 10 0 DEC DEC. NOV Latest survey Interest in SDF and Defense Issues (%) The Public Opinion Survey on the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and Defense Issues is conducted every three years since 1969 by Cabinet Office to gauge the trend in public perceptions of the SDF and defense issues. Looking at the overall trend, the latest survey reveals an increasing public interest in defense issues and an increasing positive assessment of the SDF. It is considered that this trend was influenced by the public s very high assessment of the efforts especially on the disaster relief activities of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and SDF in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The survey results are summed up that in principle there is a high level of public understanding and support for Japan s defense policy, and that the public more than ever has a high expectation of the SDF s role and activities Have a positive impression Have a negative impression SEP. NOV. OCT. DEC. DEC. NOV. Latest survey Evaluation of SDF disaster relief activities related to the Great East Japan Earthquake An astounding 97.7% of respondents say they Appreciate the SDF s disaster relief activities, suggesting that the activities are highly supported by a majority of people. In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the MOD and SDF worked tirelessly day and night to provide relief to the affected people and to respond to the nuclear disaster. MOD/SDF believes that the public and the MOD/SDF have never been closer than today, it seems that these factors underpinned the survey results. Nearly 90% of respondents say they Appreciate the SDF s overseas operations. It is believed that the overseas activities of the SDF over the past two decades have earned a significantly high level of praise, understanding, and support from the people. The SDF began to participate in international cooperation with the dispatch of the Maritime Self-Defense Force s minesweeping unit to the Persian Gulf in 1991 as the starting point. Since then over 40,000 SDF personnel have been dispatched to approximately 30 countries and regions, including Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Central America, and contributed to the peace and stability of the international community. The evaluation results seems a testament to the fact that the accomplishments of these activities have steadily become well recognized among the people. Do not appreciate at all 0.8% Do not appreciate very much 6.9% Don t know 4.9% Highly appreciate 32.0% Appreciate to a certain degree 55.4% Evaluation toward overseas activities by the SDF 14.1 Impressions toward the SDF 4 Evaluation of overseas activities by the SDF Views towards Japan U.S. Security Treaty An SDF personnel providing medical support at the time of the earthquake disaster Do not appreciate very much 1.3% 81.2% of respondents feel that the treaty is Helpful the highest figure since the survey was started. This result suggests that a majority of people support the basic defense policy of Japan. Dispatch of the MSDF s minesweeping unit to the Persian Gulf in 1991 Don t know 1.1% Views toward defense-exchanges with other countries than the U.S. Appreciate to a certain degree 17.9% Highly appreciate 79.8% Evaluation toward SDF disaster relief activities related to the Great East Japan Earthquake 80.5% of respondents feel that the exchanges are useful. This result indicates that the promotion of defense cooperation and exchanges with countries for the multi-layered security cooperation with the international community stated in the National Defense Program Guidelines has earned the understanding and support of many people. An SDF personnel interacting with residents in Haiti 5

4 S P E C I A L F E A T U R E Q & A REGARDING THE SELECTION OF THE NEW FIGHTER Proposer and Candidates for new fighter Type F/A-18E F-35A Typhoon The F-35A that was selected as the new fighter (same type) Proposer U.S. government U.S. government U.K. government SYSTEMS Sumitomo Corporation Developed in U.S.A 9 countries, including U.S.A * 1 U.K./Germany/Italy/Spain *2 (Joint development) Joint development) W Approx.14m 19m 5m Approx.11m 16m 4m Approx.11m 16m 5m Thrust 22,000lbs 2 43,000lbs 1 20,250lbs 2 Speed Max M1.6 Max M1.6 Max M2.0 Produced by Designed by Boeing Lockheed Martin Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH BAE Systems U.K. EADS Deutschland Germany Alenia Aeronautica Italy EADS CASA Spain * 1 As for F-35 (JSF), many countries participate with forms, such as investment and participation to a development team. Level U.K., Level Italy, Netherlands, Level Turkey, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Canada, (Israel and Singapore join the program as a Security Cooperation Participants.) * 2 U.K. takes charge of negotiation with Japan * 3 Source: Jane s publications and published materials, etc. Q1. Why was it necessary to select the new fighter (F-X) at this time? A1. The F-4 fighters that are currently in use were first introduced about 40 years ago and they are already decreasing in number due to aging. Without effective response to this situation, defense posture, which consists of approximately 260 fighters described in the National Defense Program Guidelines, can t be maintained. It will take about five years from the decision to acquire the new fighter (F-X) to actual delivery to Air Self Defense Force (ASDF). In addition, we need to consider the period necessary for operational testing and education of pilots. For these reasons, it became necessary to start the process to acquire the new fighter (F-X) as early as possible. Q2. What kind of aircraft became candidates for new fighter (F-X)? A2. Three aircraft for which proposals were submitted the F/A-18E, F-35A and Typhoon - were considered as candidates. Q3. What procedures were taken for the selection? A3. We issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 13 last year and received proposals for the F/A-18E and F-35A from the U.S. government and a proposal for the Typhoon from the U.K. government and others on September 26 of the same year. We evaluated the proposals fairly and rigorously according to predetermined criteria. The procedure was processed as follows: at the first stage of the evaluation, all proposals are evaluated on whether they satisfy the mandatory requirements (requirements considered mandatory for the new fighter (F-X)) and any proposal that does not satisfy any of the required items would be rejected. If more than two proposals pass the first stage, they are assessed comprehensively in four areas of performance, cost, industrial participation and logistics support at the second stage evaluation, where the proposal with the highest total evaluation points in the four areas is adopted. If there are more than two proposals of equal total score, the third stage evalua- tion is conducted. In this stage the proposal with the highest score in cost (less expensive in terms of cost) of the second stage is adopted. As the results of the evaluation, although all of the proposed models satisfied the requirements at the first stage, the total score for the F-35A was the highest at the second stage. Consequently, the F-35A was selected as the new fighter (F-X) without conducting the third stage evaluation. Q4. What kind of performance was required for the new fighter (F-X)? A4. The new fighter (F-X) should be able to respond effectively to recent advanced fighters, be well equipped to respond to cruise missiles and be capable of effectively accomplishing missions in network-based warfare that encompasses above mentioned two capabilities as its component elements. More and more weapon systems start to possess multirole (multiple functions) capabilities, and this trend is particularly significant in fighters. In addition, security issues and destabilizing factors surrounding Japan are diverse, complex and multilayered. In light of these factors, the new fighter is required to be a multirole (multiple functions) fighter equipped with air interdiction (air-toground attack) capability at minimum in addition to air superiority fighting capability. Q5. We heard that the selected F-35A is currently under development. Will they be delivered exactly as they are proposed? A5. In this selection, the RFP requires the proposers to honor the proposed content and we have also received a pledge to honor the content of their proposal from the US Air Force Chief of Staff addressed to the ASDF Chief of Staff. We have also received a letter from the development officer stating that the U.S. government will deliver the aircraft exactly as described in the proposal. Based on these arrangements, the Ministry of Defense believes that the aircraft will be delivered within the timeframe as requested by the Ministry. 6 7

5 C O L U M N The 16th Tokyo Defense Forum The 16th Tokyo Defense Forum (Forum for Defense Authorities in the Asia-Pacific Region) was held in Tokyo, on March 15, 2012, with the participation of officers in charge of defense policy(director General of Defense ministries and General-class officers)of 24 countries*. The European Union (EU), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) also participated in this Forum. The Forum was chaired by Mr. Kazuo SUNAGA, Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Japan. The focus of the Forum was twofold: Civil-Military Cooperation in Disaster Relief Operations for Session I in which participants discussed based on their experiences, and Efforts to Ensure Maritime Security for Session II in which participants discussed their efforts and international cooperation toward confidence building. In session I, Civil-Military Cooperation in Disaster Relief Operations, major discussions were as follows; Participants observed that the military could and should play a major role in HA/DR activities. It was also pointed out that civil-military cooperation was indispensable in responding HA/DR activities and that it was important to share information and have coordination mechanism in place among countries concerned in the early stage of a disaster. Participants agreed that it was critical for both sides to be informed of each other s capabilities and working methods through information sharing and joint training in order to ensure swift and effective civil-military cooperation in disaster relief operations. It was observed that such efforts would be also effective in establishing trust and cooperative relationship between the military and civil actors including humanitarian agencies and other government agencies. Some participants pointed out that it would be useful to create common procedures for offering support to a disaster-hit country to be shared by major actors beforehand in order to enable each country to carry out HA/DR cooperation smoothly. Meeting in Tokyo Defense Forum In session II Efforts to Ensure Maritime Security, major discussions were as follows; Participants acknowledged that maritime security covered the wide range of challenges including piracy, terrorism, smuggling, environmental pollution, and territorial issues. Therefore, it was shared that each country had its specific security environment and challenges and there was no standardized solution for solving these issues. On the other hand, participants agreed that no single country could ensure maritime security single-handedly, and thus bilateral, multilateral, and regional cooperation in practical activities such as holding dialogues and joint trainings were indispensable. It was also noted that improving the transparency of each country s military forces and sharing the Good seamanship, customary maritime manners, were significant in building confidence among countries concerned. Participants also agreed that regional frameworks and dialogues such as ADMM plus, ARF, and WPNS were particularly important in order to carry out aforementioned international cooperation. Some participants mentioned that the beneficial synergy among those frameworks and dialogues could be expected. Some participants observed that it was important for each country concerned to respect each other s standpoint and observe United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) and DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea), while continuing to work on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) among countries concerned in order to deal with the issues concerning the South China Sea. On 16 March, the following day of the 16th Forum, inviting security experts, including both academics and government officials, from Japan and other countries, an open seminar was held and the active discussion were conducted on the same agenda items as those of the Forum, Civil-Military Cooperation in Disaster Relief Operations and Efforts to Ensure Maritime Security. *Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, the United States, and Vietnam Defense Minister Tanaka delivering his speech in Tokyo Defense Forum Visit the Japan Defense Focus website for photo and movie galleries that cannot be found in this pamphlet. Also, on the website you can download an original calender by filling out a short questionnaire. Please visit our website at : For inquiry, contact following office: Public Affairs Division, Ministry of Defense, Japan TEL: (switch board) Web: 8