New Year s Greeting from the Defense Minister

Transcription

1 The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces No.12 JANUARY 2009 NEWS FLASHES New Year s Greeting from the Defense Minister A Happy New Year to all of you. I am very happy to be given this opportunity to offer my New Year s greeting to you and, at the same time, renew the gravity of my responsibilities as the Minister of Defense. The MOD and the Self-Defense Forces caused a number of incidents last year, for which we received many reproaches and criticisms. This is the reason why we are currently working on MOD reform. At the same time, the MOD and SDF have been given a lot of high evaluations both domestically and internationally for fulfilling their responsibilities to the international community through the diligent execution of harsh duties outside Japan by SDF personnel. I believe this is a significant achievement. The activities in Iraq over four and a half years have led to many achievements under severe circumstances. These operations were safely concluded last year without the loss of a single life. I am very pleased that the SDF were able to terminate its operations at a time when the Iraqi people are moving forward with reconstruction on their own initiative under a democratic government. As for the replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean by Maritime Self- Defense Force vessels, the law to extend these activities was recently enacted. We will continue the activities to contribute to the fight against terrorism. In our contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, we are continuing our activities in the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). We also launched new activities, including the dispatches of officers to the headquarters of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and instructors to the PKO training center in Egypt. INSIDE : Peace Cooperation Activities in Sudan The Activities of the MOD/SDF in Iraq This year, I hope that the MOD and SDF will make further advances based on these achievements and evaluations. Last year, we also made significant progress in defense exchanges with various countries, including the goodwill visit to China by an MSDF vessel and the updating of the Memorandum on Defence Cooperation during the Japan-Australia Defence Ministerial Meeting. While placing the Japan-US alliance on the center of our defense policy, this year we will continue to advance bilateral defense exchanges, such as with neighboring countries, as well as through multilateral security dialogue to promote confidence building. Further, this is the fifth year since the current National Defense Program Guidelines were formulated. To contribute to the government s review of revisions to the guidelines, the MOD will carefully assess the current Japan s security environment and advance debate on the country s future defense capabilities. Finally, I would like to close my New Year s greeting with a heartfelt prayer that this year be a fruitful year for all of you. January 2009 Yasukazu Hamada MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS Admiral Wu and Defense Minister Hamada Courtesy Call by Chinese Admiral Wu Admiral Wu Shengli, Chinese People s Liberation Army Navy Commander, paid a courtesy call on Defense Minister Hamada on October 29. This was the first visit by a Chinese Navy Commander to Japan. Admiral Wu described the visit as a historic one and noted that ties between Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Chinese Navy have developed rapidly over the past year under the shared recognition of building a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, citing the mutual visits by naval vessels in 2007 and Quoting from Zhou Enlai, Admiral Wu noted that while there had been 50 years of conflict between Japan and China, the two countries also boast 2,000 years of friendship, and that bilateral issues can be resolved by looking toward the future based on such history. Defense Minister Hamada replied that it was important to constructively advance the bilateral relationship while taking a serious look at history. The two also exchanged views on cooperation in disaster relief activities among others. MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY

2 Meetings with Foreign Leaders Japan-Australia Joint Defense and Foreign Ministerial Consultations The Japan-Australia Joint Defense and Foreign Ministerial Consultations (The Two-plus-Two Meeting) were held on December 18 in Tokyo. This was the second meeting following the first one held in June The purpose of the consultations is to further strengthen security cooperation between the two countries. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone attended from Japan, while Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith attended from the Australian side. The ministers concurred on further strengthening the bilateral security cooperation and discussed the promoting of trilateral cooperation among Japan, Australia, and the United States ; information sharing; and the regional situation in East Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The joint statement issued after the meeting, in the defense area, noted that it welcomed the updating of the Memorandum on Defence Cooperation; acceleration of the studies of logistics cooperation; confirmation of continuing commitment to enhanced defense coop- eration; and enhanced trilateral security and defense cooperation with the United States. Joint news conference of the Japan-Australia Two-plus-Two Meeting It was also confirmed that Australia will host the next The Two-plus-Two Meeting in Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting Defense Minister Fitzgibbon and Defense Minister Hamada Prior to The Two-plus-Two Meeting, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada had a meeting with Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon at the Ministry of Defense. The two ministers actively discussed defense policies and defense exchanges of the two countries. After the meeting, they signed the updated Memorandum on Defence Cooperation. The main points of the updated memorandum are (1) promoting cooperation in international peace cooperation activities, (2) strengthening cooperation and coordination during peacetime, such as strategic dialogue and exercises, and (3) strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States and multilateral cooperation. The two ministers shared the recognition to develop the bilateral relationship for practical cooperation in the future. The signing of the updated Memorandum on Defense Cooperation 2 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY 2008

3 Topics Tokyo Defense Forum The Ministry of Defense hosted the thirteenth Forum for Defense Authorities in the Asia-Pacific Region (Tokyo Defense Forum) on October The forum was chaired by Masaru Tsuji, Director-General for International Affairs, MOD. One of the themes of the discussion was Efforts for International Cooperation in Disaster Relief. Views were exchanged on the lessons learned from recent international relief operations and further promotion of international cooperation based on experiences in major natural disasters, such as the earthquake in China s Sichuan Province and the cyclone in Myanmar, focusing on information sharing and coordination between affected and assisting countries. The forum s second topic was National Defense Policies. Presentations were made on major trends in the defense policies of each country. The outcomes of the Tokyo Defense Forum were reported to the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting on disaster relief. The forum was attended by 25 coun- tries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, India, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States, along with such international organizations as the European Union (EU), the ASEAN Secretariat, Tokyo Defense Forum the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Japan-India Security Declaration Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the prime minister s office in Tokyo and signed the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India on October 22. This Joint Declaration includes elements and mechanisms for cooperation in various areas, including defense dialogue and cooperation, and expresses the intention to develop an action plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation in these areas. India is the third country with whom Japan has issued a joint security declaration following the United States and Australia. Joint news conference of the Japan-India Security Declaration New Chief of the Air Staff Office The government on November 7 approved a personnel action to assign Ken ichiro Hokazono, Director General, Defense Intelligence Headquarters, as the new chief of the Air Staff Office. He was appointed to his new post by the Defense Minister on the same day. Hokazono s predecessor was removed from office on October 31 for making public his opinions that clearly differed from the official government position. MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY

4 Topics Former Peacekeepers Dispatched to Egypt PKO Center A lecture by a dispatched GSDF officer Extension of Replenishment Support Law The Towada leaving port On November 21, two Ground Self-Defense Force officers were dispatched as instructors to the Cairo Regional Center for Training on Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa. It was the first time that members of the SDF were dispatched as instructors to a PKO center in a foreign country. The center in Cairo, Egypt, offers training for African military officers, etc., in peacekeeping and other activities. Dispatched were Lieutenant Colonel Yoji Takahashi, who led the Golan Heights transport unit, and Lieutenant Colonel Yoshiyuki Sakaemura, who took part in the humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. They gave lectures over four days on ways to relate with local residents based on their experiences in international peacekeeping activities. On December 12, 2008, the House of Representatives overturned the decision of the House of Councilors to extend the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law and enable the MSDF to continue its replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean. The enactment of the bill extends the law due to expire in January 2009 by one year. The bill had been deliberated continuously since its submission to the Diet at the end of September While it was rejected by the opposition-controlled upper house, it was subsequently reapproved by a two-thirds majority in the lower house. The refueling vessel Towada and destroyer Ariake which left Kure and Sasebo ports respectively on November 10 with a crew of about 330, are currently engaged in the MSDF s fourth replenishment mission. Fiscal 2009 Defense Budget An ASDF F-15 fighter The government approved the fiscal 2009 budget proposal on December 24, earmarking 4.7 trillion for defense-related expenditures, which represents a decline of 40 billion or 0.8% from the preceding year. The budget includes expenses for improvements in the E-767 s radar functions, research on high-maneuvering stealth aircraft, strengthening of the system for peace cooperation activities, ballistic missile defense, space utilization, and maritime safety. Prior to the approval of the budget proposal, the Ministry of Defense shelved its plans to procure seven successor aircraft for the F-4 fighters during fiscal 2009, and reviewed the midterm defense buildup program covering JFY 2005 to 2009, including the intensive implementation of the modernization of F-15 fighters ahead of the initial schedule. The review was approved by the Security Council of Japan and at the cabinet meeting on December MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY 2009

5 Country Support Peace Cooperation Activities in Sudan On October 24, two SDF officers were dispatched to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). The dispatch marks Japan s first participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa since , when Japan took part in the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ). Outline of UNMIS Since 1983, the Sudanese government in the Northern area, which seeks to establish an ethnic Arab state, and the Sudan People s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) mostly consisting of Christians in the Southern area had been embroiled in armed conflict for over two decades. A process to end this conflict was launched in January 2002 through the mediation of East African countries and the United States. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in January 2005 to end the civil war. In March of that year, the UN Security Council established UNMIS with the mission of supporting the implementation of the agreement, promoting the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, removing landmines, and carrying out other duties. There are approximately 10,000 people from 69 countries involved in the mission. CHAD LIBYA SUDAN EGYPT Dongola Nile Omdurman Aswan L. Nasser NILE Nubian Desert Ed Damer Khartoum Japan s Role in UNMIS Japan was requested by the United Nations to dispatch personnel to UNMIS, and, on 30 June 2008, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced at a joint news conference with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Japan would dispatch SDF personnel to UNMIS Headquarters. On July 1, then Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed his chiefs of staff and other officials to make necessary preparations for the dispatch. On October 3, Japan decided to dispatch two SDF personnel to UNMIS Headquarters based on the Law concerning Cooperation for United Nations Peace- Kassala Port Sudan SAUDI ARABIA Jeddah ERITREA Asmara Mecca (M At Ta Red Sea Keeping Operations and Other Operations. The two SDF officers left for Sudan on October 24 and are scheduled to serve there until June 30, The two SDF officers being welcomed by the UNMIS commander One is undertaking coordination duties within UNMIS relating to the general logistical demands of the military forces in the Logistics Office of the Military Headquarters, and the other is managing the database at the Joint Information Analysis Center Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN. Significance of the Dispatch The Japanese government believes that the stability of Sudan, which is the Africa s biggest county, would contribute to preventing the proliferation of international terrorism and enhance the security of Africa as a whole. Given the very strong interest in Sudan among the Group of Eight countries, Japan attaches great importance to its participation in UNMIS as a responsible member of the international community. Marra Plat. El Geneina Jebel Marra El Fasher El Obeid White Nile Rabak Singa Wad Medani Blue Nile Gadaref Ras Dashen Gonder Mak'ele Nyala El Fula Kadugli Ed Damazin L. Tana Bahir Dar A Asosa ETHIOPIA Bentiu Malakal Adis Abeba CENTRAL AFRICAN REP. Aweil Wau Warab UNMIS Rumbek Bor Gambela Nazret Ethiopian Plat. Awasa Uele Yambio Juba Kapoeta UGANDA L. Turkana An SDF officer with personnel from Bangladesh MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY

6 Defense Policy Photo: Completion of the ASDF s operations The Activities of the MOD/SDF in Iraq On November 28, 2008, the Japanese government decided to terminate the Air Self-Defense Force s airlift support operations that had been carried out in Iraq over four and a half years. The final airlift operation was conducted on December 12 to end the ASDF s mission. A withdrawal support unit of approximately 130 members is now conducting withdrawal operations to complete all activities by the end of March Japan s Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq Council Resolution 1483, adopted in May Japan enacted the Law concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Following the conclusion of major fight- Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq, and being in Iraq, the international community gan the phased dispatch of SDF personnel has been actively involved in the country s to the country in December to undertake reconstruction based on UN Security humanitarian and reconstruction, and security assistance. These activities have not only contributed to the stability of the Middle East region as a whole but also been crucial to the prosperity and stability of Japan, which relies on the region for approximately 90% of its petroleum supply. The Activities of the ASDF Since March 2004, the ASDF had been airlifting supplies and personnel related to Iraq s humanitarian and reconstruction assistance from Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait to airfields such as Ali (Tallil) in Iraq. Three C-130 transport planes had been mobilized to provide, as a rule, regular service of five flights per week. Even after the withdrawal of the Ground Self-Defense Force, the ASDF unit continued its activities to meet the needs of the UN and multinational forces. The ASDF s activities were expanded to Baghdad airfield in July 2006 and to Erbil airfield in September at the same year. C-130 transport plane Termination of ASDF s Operations On November 28, 2008, the Japanese government decided to terminate the ASDF s airlift support operations that had been carried out in Iraq over four and a half years, given that situation that the people of Iraq, on their own initiative, have proceeded with the reconstruction of the nation under a democratic government, as shown by the steady advance in Iraq s political process and improvements in the security situation. The final airlift operation was conducted on December 12, 2008, to end the ASDF s mission. From December 15 to 17, three C-130 transport planes departed from Ali Al Salem Air Base for Japan. A ceremony for the mission members return to Japan was held at the ASDF Komaki Air Base on December 24 with the attendance of Prime Minister Taro Aso, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, where the unit flag was returned. The approximately 130 members of the withdrawal support unit in Kuwait are scheduled to complete withdrawal operations by the end of March ASDF personnel leaving Iraq 6 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY 2009 HP indd :19:18 AM

7 Mardin Sanliurfa DAHUK Al Qamishli Dahuk Mahabad Erbil Airfield Al Hasakah Al Mawsil (Mosul) Ar Raqqah Zanjan History of SDF Operations and Iraq s Reconstruction Saqqez Kirkuk Dayr az Zawr 2003 NINAWA (NINEVEH) As Sulaymaniyah Sanandaj AT TA'MIM Ba'qubah IRAN SYRIA Hamadan Tikrit SALAH AD DIN AS SULAYMANIYAH Samarra DIYALÁ Za BABIL Al Hillah Kermanshah gr os M (BABYLON) Baghdad AirPort Ar Ramadi. Khorram AL ANBAR IRAQ Tig ris WASIT Karbala' KARBALA' Andime Dezfu Al Kut Samawah An Najaf (GSDF camp) Al Amarah Ad Diwaniyah MAYSAN AL QADISIYAH SI SIYAH DHI QAR AN NAJAF Overview of Achievements An Nafu d An Nasiriyah Ali AirBase Al Basrah AL BASRAH Abada AL MUTHANNÁ Bubiyan I. GSDF activity area Achievements of the GSDF KUWAIT SAUDI AR Ali Al Salem AirBase T 2005 The activities of the GSDF were conducted in close conjunction with over $200 million in Japan s Official Development Assistance (ODA). They have contributed to rebuilding the basic social infrastructure for the Iraqi people and expanded employment opportunities for local residents. Offering education on emergency medical aid 2006 Providing water to local supply trucks 2007 A restored school 2008 Period of activity: Approx. 2 and a half years (Feb to July 2006) No. of dispatched personnel: Approx. 5,600 in total Medical services: Guidance in medical examination and treatment techniques at four hospitals (227 times) Decrease in the infant mortality rate at Samawah Maternity and Children Hospital to one-third Availability of basic medical services for all residents of the province Water supply: Provision of water to the Muthanna provincial government s water supply trucks (approx. 53,500 tons, or water for approx. 12 million people) Enable stable supply of clean water Rebuilding and improvement of social infrastructure: Schools repaired: 36 schools Roads repaired: 31 locations (approx. 90 km) Local clinics repaired: 29 facilities Other repairs: 37 locations Substantial improvement in the education environment Alleviation of traffic impasses and congestion Achievements of the ASDF 2009 Period of activity: Approx. 5 years (March 2004 to Dec. 2008) No. of dispatched personnel: Approx. 3,600 in total Airlift operations: No. of flights: 821 (including 112 for UN) Personnel transported: Approx. 46,500 (including 2,800 for UN) Supplies transported: Approx. 673 tons (including 112 for UN) Enactment of Iraq Special Measures Law Dec. Cabinet approval for the basic plan Departure of an advance ASDF unit Borujerd ts 2004 Buhayrat ath Tharthar Eup hra tes Al Kazimiyah July Jan. Departure of an advance GSDF unit Departure of a main ASDF unit Feb. Departure of a main GSDF unit Start of GSDF support operations Departure of an MSDF unit Mar. Start of ASDF airlift operations Apr. Return of an MSDF unit June Establishment of the Iraqi Interim Government Dec. Extension of the basic plan by one year Jan. Aug. Oct. Dec. Election of the National Assembly Formulation of the draft constitution Referendum on the draft constitution Extension of the basic plan by one year Election of the National Assembly May Establishment of the new Iraqi government June Decision and announcement on withdrawal of GSDF July Completion of GSDF withdrawal from Iraq Start of ASDF airlift operations to Baghdad Sept. Start of ASDF airlift operations for UN (to Erbil airfield) Return of all GSDF personnel Dec. Extension of the basic plan by half year June Extension of the Iraq Special Measures Law by two years July Extension of the basic plan by one year June Extension of the basic plan by one year Nov. Decision and announcement on withdrawal of ASDF Dec. Termination of ASDF airlift operations Return of ASDF personnel, excluding the withdrawal unit, from Kuwait Mar.* Scheduled return of all ASDF personnel Loading supplies MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY 2009 HP indd :19:19 AM

8 Spotlight Interview with ASDF Chief of Staff Ken ichiro Hokazono What duties have you carried out since joining the SDF? I joined the ASDF after graduating from the National Defense Academy in I underwent training at the Officer Candidate School and became a member of the Central Aircraft Control and Warning Wing. My first assignment was as a ground-controlled intercept officer at the Mineokayama Radar Site. After that, I worked at the Air Staff Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in drafting the Defense of Japan, white paper, and served as a military attaché in Belgium. Subsequently, I became the head of the Air Staff Office s Intelligence Division, the commander of the Northern Aircraft Control and Warning Wing, the commandant of the Fifth Technical School, and the director of J-5, Joint Staff Council. I was named the commander of the Central Air Force in 2005, the commandant of the Joint Staff College in 2007, and Director General of the Defense Intelligence Headquarters in What were the most memorable experiences while undertaking such duties? The three years I served as a military attaché in Belgium from 1992 were among the most memorable experiences for me. The Soviet Union had just collapsed, bringing the Cold War to an end, and global attention was focused on how a new order would be established in Europe. I d say that around 80 percent of my duties were to follow military trends in Europe. Being stationed in Brussels, where NATO s headquarters were located, and gaining firsthand access to information on security developments in Europe at that time turned out to be an extremely valuable experience for me. Another good experience was the assignment as chief of the J-5, Joint Staff Council. I served in this post for two years and four months from During this period, I coordinated the SDF s transition to a Joint Operations Posture (in March 2006). I sometimes engaged in intense debate with officers of each Staff Office, but the chiefs and other members concerned of the Staff Offices were highly motivated about the shift to the Joint Operations Posture, and this constructive attitude enabled us to concentrate our efforts and attain positive results. This was an unforgettable experience for me. Further, although my tenure as director of the Defense Intelligence Headquarters lasted for only seven and a half months, I felt that this position was my calling in life, because I had always regarded intelligence to be a crucial component of national security and the basis of all SDF s activities and defense buildup. How do you intend to accomplish your duties as chief of staff of the ASDF in the future? The first thing I have to do is to steadfastly create an atmosphere and a system under which members of the ASDF can undergo training and fulfill their duties with pride and confidence. My second task is to formulate the next Midterm Defense Buildup Program, since the substance of the program will be decided on in the upcoming fiscal year. Fiscal 2009 will be of vital importance in charting the future of the SDF as a whole. I would like to focus my energies on this task. I also intend to tackle head-on such issues as reform of the Ministry of Defense, selection of our next mainstay fighters, and the procurement of our next transport planes. These are all crucial issues that will determine the future direction of the SDF. INFORMATION Publication of White Paper in English Marching Festival 2008 The Defense of Japan 2008 has been published. The English edition of the defense white paper provides an exhaustive overview of Japan s defense policy, covering such topics as the Japan-US security alliance, Japan s ballistic missile defense, and peace cooperation activities. One chapter of the latest white paper is devoted to reforms of the MOD. The full text of the Defense of Japan can be viewed at the MOD website ( 08.html). Defense of Japan 2008 The SDF Marching Festival 2008 was held at Nippon Budokan on November 21 and 22 on the theme of one person s effort will turn into power for the future. There were some 1,000 performers, including the marching bands of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces and the Band of the US Army in Japan. Around 40,000 people enjoyed the six performances held over two days. The grand finale of Marching Festival MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS / JANUARY 2008