No. 48 JAN. 2014 Operation SANGKAI Dispatch of International Disaster Relief Team to the Philippines TOPICS : GSDF 1st Airborne Brigade s First Drop Drill 2014 Display of MV-22 Osprey U.S. Ambassador Kennedy pays a Courtesy Call on Defense Minister Onodera Seoul Defense Dialogue and Japan ROK Defense Vice-ministerial Meeting MSDF Chief of Staff Takes Part in International Symposium on Maritime Security Planning of National Security Strategy/ Revision of National Defense Program Guidelines /Mid-Term Defense Program (FY2014 FY2019) Capacity Building Projects in Timor-Leste and Cambodia Departure Ceremony for the 5th Engineer Unit to be Dispatched to South Sudan Operation SANGKAI
Dispatch of International Disaster Relief Team to the Philippines At the request of the government of the Philippines on November 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs consulted Defense Minister for MOD/SDF cooperation on International Disaster Relief. Having judged that the dispatch of the SDF units can contribute to effective relief activities, Defense Minister responded to the consultation by issuing an Operation Order which led to the organization of the Philippines International disaster Relief Team to conduct activities on site. On November 15, considering grave disaster situation on the ground, Defense Minister updated an Operation Order to organize the Joint Task Force for International Disaster Relief activities and Joint Operations Coordination center in the Philippines. After conducting medical services for 14,570 locals in total and transporting approx. 540 tons of relief supplies, based on the consultation with the Government of the Philippines, an order to conclude its mission was issued on December 13. Various levels of parties, including the Government of the Philippines, expressed gratitude to the efforts made by the SDF on the ground. Furthermore, from December 7 to 8, Defense Minister Onodera visited the Philippines (Manila and Tacloban) and met with Voltaire Gazmin, the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines. Mr. Onodera also visited the affected areas and encouraged SDF units at work on the ground. Formation of Joint Task Force for International Disaster Relief Activities in the Philippines Minister of Defense Commander in Chief (C-in-C), Self Defense Fleet Approx. 10 staff Approx. 1,170 staff Joint Task Force for International DR activities in PHL Joint Operations Coordination Center medical assistance unit air support unit HQ maritime dispatched group airlift unit Set up of Joint Operations Coordination center Date of Formation November 17 (location: Republic of the Philippines) Basic Duties Coordination with relevant factors such as institutions of the Government of the Philippines and other relevant countries, etc. Staff Approx. 10 C2 Line Minister of Defense Formation of Joint Task Force for International Disaster Relief in the Philippines Date of Formation November 17 (location: Kure, Komaki, and the Philippines) Basic Duties Medical assistance, epidemic prevention, transport of relief supplies, etc. Personnel Approx. 1,170 C2 Line Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet Commander Commander, 4th Escort Flotilla Composition Dispatched Team HQ, Medical assistance and Air support Unit, Maritime Dispatched group and Airlift Unit Basic Equipment 2 CH-47 transport helicopters 3, UH-1 utility helicopters 3, transport vessel 1, escort vessel 1, supply vessel 1, KC-767 tanker 2, C-130H transport aircraft 7, and U-4 utility support aircraft 1 UH-1 [3] CH-47 [3] DDH Ise LST Osumi AOE Towada KC-767 [2] C-130H [7] U-4 [1] *[]: total number dispatched Display of MV-22 Osprey The U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey went on static display at the Nyutabaru Air Festa 2013 held at ASDF Nyutabaru Air Base on December 1. By displaying the U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey at the air festival of ASDF, the MOD aimed to provide an opportunity for many people to actually see and deepen their understanding of the aircraft, which has been attracting much attention among the Japanese people. Approx. 120,000 people visited the event this year, which was far above the number of visitors last year. MV-22 Osprey MV-22 Osprey Commemorative photograph session 3
TOPICS MEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS U.S. Ambassador Kennedy pays a Courtesy Call on Defense Minister Onodera On November 21, U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy visited the Ministry of Defense for a meeting with Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera. Defense Minister Onodera begun by offering his congratulations on her appointment as Ambassador as well as conveyed his gratitude for Operation Tomodachi following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the exchange program between the U.S. Marines corps and children of Oshima Island. Regarding the importance of the Japan U.S. Alliance, both recognized that the presence of the U.S. military and Japan U.S. cooperation, including disaster relief efforts conducted by the U.S. Marines and Japan Self-Defense Forces in the Philippines at that time, serve as important regional assets in Asia. GSDF 1st Airborne Brigade s First Drop Drill 2014 Administrative Vice-Defense Minister attends the Seoul Defense Dialogue and Japan ROK Defense Vice-ministerial Meeting On November 13, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Nishi attended the Seoul Defense Dialogue organized by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK). He also had a Japan ROK defense vice-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of National Defense with his counterpart Vice-Defense Minister Baek Seung-joo, which was held for the first time in two years. During the meeting, the two Vice-Defense Ministers discussed about Japan ROK defense cooperation and exchanges as well as the situation in North Korea. Mr. Nishi also explained about Japan s initiatives to secure its national security, including the revision of its National Defense Program Guidelines. The MOD is committed to explaining Japan s defense policy so as to building up a relationship of trust and mutual understanding as well as strengthen more specific defense cooperation with the ROK. O MSDF Chief of Staff Takes Part in International Symposium on Maritime Security For 11 days starting on December 9, MSDF Chief of Staff Kawano took part in an international symposium on maritime safety held in Indonesia by the Indonesian Navy. The participation in this symposium offered the opportunity for 4 each country to exchange views on maritime security issues and their respective challenges, while encouraging and advancing mutual understanding and trust among countries. n 12, the GSDF 1st Airborne Brigade held its first drop drill of the year at the Narashino Training Ground in Chiba Prefecture. This annual event is carried out at the new year in a prayer of safety for the year s drop drills. This year many visitors watched the event, with the presence of Defense Minister Onodera, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Kihara, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Nishi, Chief of Joint Staff Iwasaki, GSDF Chief of Staff Iwata, and other MOD and SDF officials. In addition to the GSDF 1st Airborne Brigade, aircraft such as P-3C, C-1, C-130, CH-47 as well as tanks and motorcycles also took part in the event to carry out the drills. 5
ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES Planning of National Security Strategy Japan s first ever National Security Strategy (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy ) was approved by the National Security Council and the Cabinet meeting on December 17, 2013. The Strategy stipulates the basic policy of Japan with regard to the national security, focused mainly in the field of diplomatic and defense policy. The basic policy of the Strategy states that Japan will contribute even more proactively in securing peace, stability, and prosperity of the international community, while achieving its own security as well as peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as a Proactive Contributor to Peace based on the principle of international cooperation. Revision of National Defense Program Guidelines A new guideline for the Japan s national defense based on the National Security Strategy is precisely presented in the new National Defense Program Guidelines (hereinafter referred to as the NDPG ). Based on the National Security Strategy, the NDPG represents the basic policy on Japan s Defense, the role of Japan s defense force, comprehensive defense architecture, and the target level of defense force buildup. In light of the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, the NDPG was newly established while there were NDPGs in FY1976, 1995, 2004, and 2010. The focal point of the NDPG are as follows; Japan s own efforts, Strengthening of the Japan U.S. Alliance, and the proactive advancement of the security cooperation with various nations. First, as for our efforts, we launched a new idea called Dynamic Joint Defense Force, which refers to carry out various activities seamlessly and flexibly based on joint operations in accordance with the circumstances. With consideration to the establishment of broad infrastructure for logistics support, reinforced by advanced technology and intelligence, command and communications capabilities, we will also place emphasis on acquiring readiness, sustainability, resiliency and connectivity in both material and nonmaterial aspects. Second, the Japan U.S. alliance constitutes to be the cornerstone for Japan s security, and Japan will enhance our relationship furthermore. Specifically, Japan will revise the Guidelines for Japan U.S. Defense Cooperation, while strengthening and expanding cooperation in a broad range of fields. Third, Japan will promote a variety of cooperative initiatives in a proactive manner, especially with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. In Asia, Japan will put emphasis on the relationships between the Republic of Korea, Australia, South-east Asian nations and India. Japan will promote security dialogues and exchanges with China in light of mutual understanding and enhance mutual trust with Russia. To improve the global security environment, Japan will actively promote initiatives such as international peace cooperation activities in a multi-layered manner with the European nations such as the U.K. and France. By formulating our vision, we would like to actively present our standpoint concerning our national security to the world, and to deepen their understanding. Mid-Term Defense Program (FY2014 FY2019) While the new National Defense Program Guideline (NDPG) represents the standards of defense capability build-up for the next ten years, the Mid-Term Defense Program (MTDP) shows, under the policy of the NDPG, the main projects and its expenses of the first five years. This enables us to efficiently develop highly effective joint defense capability. We will maintain the maritime and air superiority, which is the prerequisite for effective deterrence and response to various situations, including the defense posture reinforcement in the Southwestern region. We also place a great emphasis on the logistics foundation development, and the capability to immediately deploy forces Capacity Building Projects in Timor-Leste and Cambodia The MOD proactively assists the capacity building and human resource development of militaries and related organizations in developing countries by utilizing the expertise and experience of the SDF in order to help improve the international security environment. Since the FY2012, the capacity building project has dispatched SDF personnel to Timor-Leste and Cambodia for a period of time to conduct human resource development Timor-Leste In this year s project, along with the FY2012 project, approx. 10 personnel, who will work in the core of the country s logistical support team for disaster relief activities, are being trained on the upkeep and maintenance of equipment in order to enhance the ability of the Timor-Leste military to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Cambodia In this year s project, similar to the FY2012 project, approx. 20 engineering unit personnel are being trained on road construction in order to enhance the Cambodian military s abilities in the field of peacekeeping operations. and respond to situations. The defense expenditures which is necessary in order to execute the projects of the new MTDP is approx. 24.67 trillion yen (as of the price of FY2013). That is approx. 1.28 trillion yen increase from the previous MTDP. Furthermore, the MOD is prepared to improve efficiency through procurement reform, and during the period of the new MTDP, we will have approx. 700 billion yen financial resources saved up. The MOD will continuously and steadily build up its defense capabilities, based on total optimization and appropriate resource allocation in order to develop Dynamic Joint Defense Force. projects. Also, there are other types of programs such as dispatching SDF personnel to Mongolia, Vietnam, and Indonesia to give seminars, as well as inviting trainees from their counterparties with training provided in Japan. These projects in Timor-Leste and Cambodia are continuation of the same projects implemented during FY2012. The projects for this fiscal year have begun since October 2013 for Timor-Leste and December 2013 for Cambodia. these four pictures were taken in Timor-Leste Instructions being given by Lieutenant Colonel Koyama A crowded bus terminal. Passengers are even allowed to ride on top of the bus or on trucks. Working hard while assisting each other Carefully cleaning each individual part 6 7
ACTIVITIES Departure Ceremony for the 5th Engineer Unit to be Dispatched to South Sudan On November 20, the departure ceremony for the 5th engineer unit to be dispatched to South Sudan was held at GSDF Camp Senzo (Hyogo Prefecture) and Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Ryota Takeda attended this event. In the ceremony, Mr. Takeda addressed that he wishes the 5th Engineer Unit give courage and hope to the local people and future generations through their activities, impressing local people recognize that Japan is one of the most trustworthy and honest nations in the world. Personnel to be dispatched this time are mainly comprised of members from the 3rd Infantry Regiment. The number of personnel and the amount of equipment to be dispatched to South Sudan has increased in order to correspond with the expansion of the activity areas. Vice-Minister Takeda giving speech of encouragement Flag of the unit and officers of the 5th Engineer unit Latest News Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Takeda visits Singapore and Australia (Dec. 10~15) Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Takeda visits Tanegashima and Yakushima Islands (Kagoshima Prefecture, Dec. 7~8) Courtesy call on Defense Minister by Admiral George ZAMBELLAS, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, U.K. (Dec.2) Troop Inspection by Defense Minister Onodera: Courtesy call on Defense Minister by Admiral George ZAMBELLAS Chugoku District (Nov.30~Dec.1) In order to improve our pamphlet, we started a quick survey. Let us know your comments and opinions related to JDF! To answer the survey, please visit our website at : http://www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/ For inquiry, contact following office: Public Affairs Division, Ministry of Defense, Japan TEL:+81-3-3268-3111 (switch board) Web: http://www.mod.go.jp/e/index.html 8