special feature dispatch of sdf personnel to … · trains cadets who will be officers of the...

5th Japan–ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Meeting

“Ministry of Defense Symposium”Defense of Japan

~New National Defense Program Guideline~

Graduation Ceremony of the National Defense Academy

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden holds talks with Minister of Defense

JAPAN–CANADA “2+2” DIALOGUE

Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Masanori Nishivisited the United Kingdom

JAPAN–LITHUANIA DEFENSE MINISTERIAL MEETING

USMC/GSDF BILATERAL EXERCISE: EXERCISE FOREST LIGHT

Mount FUJI

Delivery and Commission Ceremony of “Suzutsuki” and “Fuyuzuki”

TOPICS

Dispatch of SDF Personnelto South Sudan

SPECIAL FEATURE

Cover Photograph : Dispatch of SDF Personnel to South Sudan

The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces

JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Apr. 2014www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/

No.51

On March 22nd, a graduation ceremony was held at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The National Defense Academy is the only academic institution of higher learning in Japan that educates and trains cadets who will be officers of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces. The graduation ceremony is traditionally held with the attendance of the Defense Minister and the Prime Minister, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF. The Prime Minister directly addresses the graduates regarding the expected roles of SDF personnel, as they in the future will become the core members of the SDF.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden holds talks with Minister of DefenseOn February 26th, Defense Minister Onodera held a confer-ence with H.E. Mr. Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden who was on a working visit to Japan. In the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Onodera expressed his welcome to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and remarked on the security environment of East Asia region. A memorandum on defense cooperation was signed in late December last year, which indicates that bilateral relations between Japan and Sweden are going very well, and Foreign Minister Bildt showed his hope regarding further defense cooperation between the two countries. The ministers also exchanged views on the situation in East Asia, including topics on China and North Korea.

The MOD held the 5th Japan–ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Meeting in Okinawa on February 18th, 2014. Mr. Masanori Nishi, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense, chaired the meeting. Vice-Ministerial level and other officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and ASEAN Secretariat participated in the meeting. During the meeting, they exchanged frank and constructive opinions under the theme of “Future Direction of Capacity Building Efforts” and “Possible Equipment-technology Cooperation among Japan and ASEAN Member States to Respond to Non-traditional Security Issues.”

・ Participants pointed out that there were capacity gaps among countries in the region in the field of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief and Maritime Security, which are shared issues in the region and that those gaps should be addressed in the future through personnel development, joint exercises, etc.

・ Participants noted that activities in the Expert Working Groups (EWGs) under the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) were quite useful to share expertise and experiences in the field of non-traditional security and that it would be important to promote practical cooperation further among concerned nations through activities in the EWGs.

Outline of discussion on “Future Direction of Capacity Building Efforts”

・ Participants stressed importance of capabilities such as Early Warning/Detection, Information Sharing/Communication, Transportation, etc. and expressed their expectations toward equipment-technology coopera-tion among Japan and ASEAN member states in these areas. All agreed to explore direction of cooperation in future.・ Some pointed out that sharing expertise through joint

exercises and equipment exhibitions, exchanges of views at expert talks, etc. would be critical toward cooperation in the area of equipment and technology.

Outline of discussion on “Possible Equipment-technology Cooperation among Japan and ASEAN Member States to Respond to Non-traditional Security Issues”

5th Japan–ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Meeting

The “Ministry of Defense Symposium” was held on Febru-ary 26th by the Ministry of Defense. While welcoming Toshio Shimada, NHK news commentary chief editor as a moderator, panel discussion took place by four invited panelists after an opening speech by Itsunori Onodera, Minister of Defense, and keynote address by Hideshi Tokuchi, Director General of Bureau of Defense Policy. Lively discussion took place over two hours including the opinions and challenges of the new National Defense Program Guideline, defense posture of our country, and Japan’s role to secure the peace of the world.

3AprilNo.51Visit the Japan Defense Focus website for photo and movie galleries that cannot be found in this pamphlet.2 April

No.51 Visit the Japan Defense Focus website for photo and movie galleries that cannot be found in this pamphlet.

A C T I V I T I E SActivitiesActivities

Exercise “Forest Light”, a bilateral exercise between the United States Marine Corps and GSDF, was conducted on February 25th through March 8th at locations including Soumagahara Exercise Area in Gunma Prefecture and Sekiyama Exercise Area in Niigata Prefecture. The aim of the exercise was for GSDF and USMC to drill, through actual action, procedures on coordination for bilateral operations while each executes respective commands, thus improve their interoperability. The training also focused on executing the mission within the winter elements (movement in deep snow, temporary wilderness sheltering, attack techniques, etc.) as well as bilateral air assault training which took place at Soumaga-hara via USMC CH-53 Helicopter.

USMC/GSDF BILATERAL EXERCISE: EXERCISE FOREST LIGHT

On March 12th, a ceremony for delivery and presentation of the SDF colors of destroyer Suzutsuki was held at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard, attended by Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Kihara. On 13th, the following day, the MOD/SDF accepted delivery of destroyer Fuyuzuki and SDF colors was presented in a ceremony at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Tamano Works, attended by Parlia-mentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakamiya. Both ceremonies were attended by MSDF Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano and Director General of the Equipment Procurement and Construction Office Akira Kamata, etc.

SpecificationsSpecificationsDisplacement standard

Length

Beam

Depth

Engines

Speed

Approx. 5100 tons

151m

18.3m

10.9m

4 gas-turbine engines (2 shafts)

Approx. 30 knots

Delivery and Commission Ceremony of“Suzutsuki” and “Fuyuzuki”

international cooperation with regards to global hot topics such as cyber and energy security. Mr. Onodera stated Japan’s current focus on cyber security operations while emphasizing the importance of information sharing among countries when addressing issues such as cyber-attacks.

Defense Minister Onodera met with the Honorable Olekas, Lithuanian Minister of National Defense, on February 25th during the Minister’s visit to Japan. They discussed the defense policies of their respective countries as well as other defense-related topics during the exchange. Mr. Onodera welcomed the Lithuanian Minister on his first visit to Japan, explaining the Japanese policy of “Proac-tive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of interna-tional cooperation. He focused on Japan’s various interna-tional activities to date, including SDF participation in the UN mission to South Sudan, anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and Gulf of Aden, and last year’s Philippine Typhoon Disaster Relief activities. Minister Olekas spoke about Lithuania’s entrance into the NATO and EU ten years prior and current efforts to improve his nation’s security environment. Mr. Olekas expressed his desire for both countries to share experiences and learn from each other. From a defense exchange perspective, Minister Olekas focused on Japan, stressing the extreme importance of

JAPAN–LITHUANIA DEFENSE MINISTERIAL MEETING

Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Masanori Nishi visited the United Kingdom

(Royal United Services Institute). He also attended the International Conference hosted by the Ditchley Foundation and exchanged views regarding security of Asia Pacific region with scholars and government officials from the world.

Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Masanori Nishi visited the United Kingdom through February 26th and March 2nd. Mr. Nishi had a discussion with the head of IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) and RUSI

The second round of Subcabinet “2+2” Dialogue between Japan and Canada took place in Ottawa, Canada on the 3rd of March, 2014. The Japanese representatives were Mr. Masa-nori Nishi, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense, and Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Richard Fadden, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Mr. Daniel Jean, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs attended on behalf of Canada. The Japan–Canada “2+2” dialogues were established based on the Canada–Japan Joint Declaration on Political, Peace and Security Cooperation signed by Prime Ministers of Japan and Canada at the Japan–Canada Summit Meeting held on the side of the November 2010 APEC in Yokohama. The first Japan–Canada “2+2” Dialogue was held in August, 2011. Both sides shared views on the importance for promoting the cooperation between the SDF and Canadian Armed Forces in order to deepen the national security ties between the two countries, and also shared on intention to continue discussing possibilities of future bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on various regional security issues,

including East Asia, Ukraine, the Middle East and Northern Africa, and both sides recognized the regional and international security environment and regional security frameworks. They reaffirmed that both sides continue and deepen the discussion on the future Canada–Japan bilateral cooperation, in areas such as Peace Keeping Operations which has long been a cooperation area of Japan and Canada, and disaster relief responding to large scale disasters.

JAPAN–CANADA “2+2” DIALOGUE



TopicsMeeting with Foreign Leaders

Q4. What kind of personnel has been dispatched from the SDF to South Sudan?

zations so as to ensure effective activities that can contribute to the state building of South Sudan. A contingent of the coordination section is set up in the neighboring Uganda for logistics support coordination.Until the deployment of the 5th engineer unit (from May to December 2013) there were two units on-site, the engineer unit and the coordination center. After a year and a half of their deployment, the operation procedure has been estab-lished. Then the coordination center unit was integrated into the engineer unit as an coordination section, since the information unification, enhanced coordination between operations and logistics side, and smooth communication in the case of emergency became more crucial due to the expansion of activity areas.

A4. “Staff officer” and “engineer unit” have been dispatched to South Sudan. Regarding the “staff officer,” two members (an information officer and a logistics officer) in November 2011 and one member (an engineering officer) in January 2012 were dispatched. Three officers work in the UNMISS Headquarters in Juba.The “engineer unit” has been dispatched since January 2012 to engage in the construction of infrastructure such as roads and the site preparation. Currently, there are approx. 400 personnel dispatched.The “coordination section” is specialized in coordination tasks. The team in Juba is conducting coordination and consultation related to activities of the engineer unit with the UN, the South Sudan Government and relevant organi-

zations so as to ensure effective activities that can contribute to the state building of South Sudan. A contingent of the coordination section is set up in the neighboring Uganda for logistics support coordination.Until the deployment of the 5th engineer unit (from May to December 2013) there were two units on-site, the engineer unit and the coordination center. After a year and a half of their deployment, the operation procedure has been estab-lished. Then the coordination center unit was integrated into the engineer unit as an coordination section, since the information unification, enhanced coordination between operations and logistics side, and smooth communication in the case of emergency became more crucial due to the expansion of activity areas.

A4. “Staff officer” and “engineer unit” have been dispatched to South Sudan. Regarding the “staff officer,” two members (an information officer and a logistics officer) in November 2011 and one member (an engineering officer) in January 2012 were dispatched. Three officers work in the UNMISS Headquarters in Juba.The “engineer unit” has been dispatched since January 2012 to engage in the construction of infrastructure such as roads and the site preparation. Currently, there are approx. 400 personnel dispatched.The “coordination section” is specialized in coordination tasks. The team in Juba is conducting coordination and consultation related to activities of the engineer unit with the UN, the South Sudan Government and relevant organi-

Q4. What kind of personnel has been dispatched from the SDF to South Sudan?

activities more beneficial for the local communities. Since December 2013, there have been armed confronta-tions and collisions between the government troops and rebel forces, generating a large number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). While paying close attention to the service members’ security, the SDF is currently conducting various activities to support IDPs at the UN facilities located in Juba. The engineer unit has been engaging in the construc-tion of IDP camps and peripheral fences at the UN House.

A5. The engineer unit started their first engineer activity such as drainage development in the UN facilities on March 1st, 2012. Subsequently, they started road improvement in Juba as one of their first engineer activities outside the UN facilities on April 2nd. Furthermore, they started cooperation with international organizations on June 2012, and also started collaboration with ODA projects that aim to support more sustainable and independent socioeconomic development. Such cooperation will make it possible to contribute to

Q5. Specifically, what activities are the SDF engineer unit doing there?

activities more beneficial for the local communities. Since December 2013, there have been armed confronta-tions and collisions between the government troops and rebel forces, generating a large number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). While paying close attention to the service members’ security, the SDF is currently conducting various activities to support IDPs at the UN facilities located in Juba. The engineer unit has been engaging in the construc-tion of IDP camps and peripheral fences at the UN House.

A5. The engineer unit started their first engineer activity such as drainage development in the UN facilities on March 1st, 2012. Subsequently, they started road improvement in Juba as one of their first engineer activities outside the UN facilities on April 2nd. Furthermore, they started cooperation with international organizations on June 2012, and also started collaboration with ODA projects that aim to support more sustainable and independent socioeconomic development. Such cooperation will make it possible to contribute to

Q5. Specifically, what activities are the SDF engineer unit doing there?

Administrativeboundary

Nuba Mts.

S u

d

d

Ab ay

Pib or

P ong

o

Ba h r e l 'Ar ab

Lol

Jur

Dinder

Sobat

Jon g

lei C

ana l

LotagipiSwamp

L. Turkana(L. Rudolf)

KenamukeSwamp

KobowenSwamp

White N

ile

Bahr

ez Z

a ra f

Wh ite Nile

Buram

Radom

Muglad

Kafia Kingi

Tullus

Abu Zabad

KologiTalodi

En Nahud

FamakaEd Da'ein

Abyei

Al Fula

Torit

Yambio

Bentiu

Wau

Malakal

Rumbek

Aweil

Kadugli

Bor

Ed Damazin

Kuacjok

Juba

U G A N D A

CENTRALAFRICAN

REPUBLICE T H I O P I A

K E N Y A

DEM. REP.OF THE CONGO

S U D A N

Uppe rNi l e

Jong l e i

Eas t e rn Equa t o r i a

Cen t r a lEqua to r i a

Wes t e rn Equa to r i a

Nor the rnBah r

e l Ghaza l U n i t y

Abye ir eg ion

War rap

Lakes

Wes t e rnBah r

e l Ghaza l

SOUTHSUDAN

The Republic of South Sudan

Overview • Area: 640,000 km2 (1.7 times the size of Japan) • Population: 10.84 million people (as of 2012) • Capital: Juba • Language: English (official language) Many other tribal languages are also spoken • Religion: Christianity and native religions

In addition to activities in Juba and its surrounding areas, the MOD has decided to expand its activities to Eastern and Western Equatoria states in response to the UN needs

SOUTH SUDAN

promoting Japan’s African diplomacy. As a responsible member of global community, Japan should proactively engage in state building with other major countries. Especially, personnel contribution such as infra-structure development has a great significance since it will contribute to the state building of South Sudan as well as respond to the UN’s request. It will also be an opportunity to demonstrate the SDF’s high performance to the world, and contribute to the enhancement of Japan’s reliability.

A3. After achieving its independence, fulfilling CPA, and ending the long civil war, South Sudan is now going through a crucial period for its state building. Securing peace and stability of South Sudan is a very important agenda for global community and each country must tackle it. As a country rich in natural resources, South Sudan’s develop-ment by making the most of its potential will contribute to the stability of the whole African continent. It is also impor-tant to enhance relationship with South Sudan in terms of

Q3. What is the significance of dispatching SDF personnel to South Sudan?

After receiving requests concerning cooperation to UNMISS from the UN, the three on-site field surveys were conducted from September to October for the consideration of dispatching staff officers and an engineer unit. After examining safety of dispatched personnel and availability of conducting effective activities, a decision was made to dispatch three staff officers and an engineer unit.

A2. United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) was estab-lished after the conclusion of CPA to deal with issues concerning Southern and Northern parts of Sudan. Since October 2008, Japan has dispatched two staff officers on site. At the time of the independence of South Sudan, UNMISS was established by the UN Security Council resolution No. 1996 adopted on July 8th, 2011, with the aim of fostering the “state building” of the world’s newest state.

Q2. What is the background of dispatching the SDF to South Sudan?

Q1. What is South Sudan like?

A1. The country is situated in the center of the eastern part of the African continent, and has an area of approx. 640,000 square kilometers (approx. 1.7 times larger than Japan) with a population of approx. 10.84 million (as of 2012). Its capital city is Juba. South Sudan is the world’s newest country which achieved its independence in July 9th 2011, after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period of six years following the end of its long civil war with the north. Since December 2013, armed confrontations between government troops and rebel forces have been continuing. However, the global community has been working hard for the stability of South Sudan. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to reinforce the personnel in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), and Japan will continue to engage in this PKO activity.

A1. The country is situated in the center of the eastern part of the African continent, and has an area of approx. 640,000 square kilometers (approx. 1.7 times larger than Japan) with a population of approx. 10.84 million (as of 2012). Its capital city is Juba. South Sudan is the world’s newest country which achieved its independence in July 9th 2011, after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period of six years following the end of its long civil war with the north. Since December 2013, armed confrontations between government troops and rebel forces have been continuing. However, the global community has been working hard for the stability of South Sudan. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to reinforce the personnel in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), and Japan will continue to engage in this PKO activity.

[Reference]The CPA is the peace agreement that ended the civil war lasted over 20 years between the Northern and Southern parts of Sudan, which had generated over four million internally displaced people.

Dispatch of SDF Personnel to South SudanDispatch of SDF Personnel to South SudanDispatch of SDF Personnel to South Sudan



Special FeatureSPECIAL FEATURESpecial Feature

Dispatch of International Disaster Relief Unit to Malay-sia (10 Mar.)

Troop Inspection by Defense Minister Onodera (15 Mar.)

Visit by Dr. John Chipman, Director-General and Chief Executive, International Institute for Strategic Studies (17 Mar.)

Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Nishi attends Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) (19~20 Mar.)

Graduation Ceremony of the GSDF High Technical School (21 Mar.)

UN Engineer Unit Manual Tokyo Workshop (26~28 Mar.)

M ount Fuji, an active volcano nestled between Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures on Honshu Island, is Japan’s most prominent and tallest

mountain at 3,776 meters (12,389 feet). A quintessential symbol of Japan, its graceful peak has been the source of inspiration for Japanese artwork since ancient times. In Japan, where both a mountain’s natural beauty and wild ferocity are celebrated simultaneously, this volcano is revered as a holy symbol and is also known as the “Sacred Mount Fuji” to the Japanese people. Ascending to the top of the mountain’s summit can only be accomplished

during the summer months from early July through the first week of September. In 2013, as a “Sacred place and source of artistic inspiration,” it was registered as a world cultural heritage. The GSDF also hosts the annual Fuji Firepower, Exercise demonstration at the East Fuji Training Area beneath the backdrop of this majestic mountain. Open to the public since 1966, military members from U.S. Forces Japan and surrounding bases are also invited to witness and review an impressive display of a variety of GSDF weaponry and tactics.

Mount Fuji

8 AprilNo.51

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