No.74

The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces
No.74
Mar. 2016
JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS
SPECIAL FEATURE
Establishment of the New 9th Air Wing
TOPICS
- Cobra Gold 16 - Multilateral Training Exercise
Cope North Guam - Japan-U.S.-Australia Joint Exercise in Guam -
Courtesy Call on Defense Minister Nakatani by ADM Harris,
Commander of U.S. Pacific Command
Escort Flotilla Exercise in the United States - GUAMEX -
Forest Light - Japan-U.S. Bilateral Training Exercise -
Disaster Relief Dispatch to Provide Water Supply Assistance
following Heavy Snowfall
United Nations Staff Officers’ Course (UNSOC) Held
at the Japan Peacekeeping Training & Research Center
The MOD Symposium
- “Why?” “Now?” The Legislation for Peace and Security -
Responses by the MOD and the SDF against
the Missile Launch by North Korea
Japanese Curry
Cover Photograph :
Establishment of the New 9th Air Wing
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/

Special Feature
Topics
Establishment of the New 9th Air Wing
- Cobra Gold 16 -
Multilateral Training Exercise
On January 31st, the 9th Air Wing was newly established at
the Naha Air Base in order to enhance the defense posture in
the southwestern region amid an increasingly severe security
environment surrounding Japan.
The 304th Fighter Squadron was transferred to the Naha
Air Base from the 8th Air Wing (Tsuiki Air Base). Along
with this, the 83rd Air Wing (Naha Air Base) was abolished.
Accordingly, the “the 9th Air Wing” was newly established,
and it was the first time in approximately 50 years since the
establishment of the 8th Air Wing in 1964. The Naha Air
Base now hosts two F-15 fighter squadrons.
On the same day, the commemoration ceremony for the
establishment of the 9th Air Wing was held at the Naha Air
Base. State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya attended.
The 304th Fighter Squadron, the 204th Fighter Squadron,
and the Southwestern Air Support Unit flew over for
commemoration. In addition, the commemorative flyover by
the Blue Impulse added grace to the ceremony.
The SDF took part in the Cobra Gold 16, the multilateral joint
training exercise that took place in Thailand from February 8th to
19th. Approx. 300 personnel from the SDF, including the GSDF,
MSDF, ASDF, and the Joint Staff Office, participated.
Nine countries, Japan, the U.S., Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia,
the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, China, and India, joined in this
year’s Cobra Gold. Of the various training exercises that took place,
the SDF participated in the command post exercise (CPX) related to
counter-piracy, humanitarian/civilian assistance activities
pertaining to medical and construction, and the training of
Transportation of Japanese Nationals Overseas (TJNO) to improve
necessary capabilities for executing tasks as well as promote
understanding and reinforce trusting relationships between the
countries involved.
In the CPX part, the JDF practiced operation procedures for
counter-piracy operations and coordination procedures with the
multinational force headquarters. During the training of TJNO, the
force confirmed a series of procedures such as taking over Japanese
nationals from the embassy, transporting them by land, loading
them on aircraft, and evacuating them. In addition, the
humanitarian/civilian assistance activity related to medical took
place including the tabletop exercises based on the scenario of
HA/DR for public health. During humanitarian/civilian assistance
activity related to construction, it performed procedures of building
facilities in case of international peace cooperation activities.
Since taking part in Cobra Gold’s CPX for the first time in 2005,
the SDF has expanded its scope of participating exercise, such as
humanitarian/civilian assistance activity and transport training of
overseas Japanese nationals. This year marked the 12th time
participation from the SDF.
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Activities
Activities
Cope North Guam - Japan-U.S.-Australia Joint Exercise in Guam -
Escort Flotilla Exercise in the United States - GUAMEX -
The ASDF took part in Cope North Guam, the trilateral joint
training as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HA/DR) exercise together with the U.S. Air Force
(USAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from
January 26th to March 8th at Andersen Air Force Base
in Guam.
This exercise seeks to enhance tactical combat skills of the
ASDF and the Japan-U.S. joint operations capabilities. It also
provides opportunities for the ASDF to improve interoperability
with the USAF and RAAF in HA/DR activities.
This trilateral exercise involved 470 personnel and aircraft
such as F-15J/DJ, F-2A, U-125A, E-2C, C-130H and KC-767
from the ASDF Air Defense Command and ASDF Air
Support Command. For the HA/DR part, ASDF 70 personnel
and C-130H participated in the training involving airlift,
airdrop of supplies, take-off and landings on uneven surfaces,
searching operations, aeromedical evacuations, and the Table
Top Exercise.
The ASDF have taken part in the Cope North Guam since
1999, with this year marking the 16th time. The RAAF started
participating in the exercise since 2011, marking this the fifth
time for the Japan-U.S.-Australia trilateral training of its kind
was held.
For 30 days starting from January 9th, the MSDF conducted
the 1st exercise to dispatch escort flotilla to Guam called
GUAMEX 2016 in the sea area and the airspace.
This exercise was carried out around Guam with the
assistance of the U.S. Navy to improve the operational
capabilities and tactical combat skills of the escort flotilla in
the period of training in order to establish a rapid
response posture.
The MSDF dispatched approx. 1,500 personnel as well as
destroyers Inazuma, Samidare, and Ise to take part in the
exercise as the dispatched vessel unit. In addition, the air
unit was dispatched including approx. 20 personnel and one
UP-3D aircraft.
Meeting with Foreign Leaders
Courtesy Call on Defense Minister Nakatani by ADM Harris,
Commander of U.S. Pacific Command
On February 17th, Defense Minister Nakatani received a
courtesy call at MOD by Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr.,
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command who visited Japan to
attend the ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary
for the establishment of the Joint Staff Office.
During the courtesy call, Minister Nakatani expressed his
wish to further improve the Japan-U.S. Alliance under the
new Guidelines. ADM Harris responded that the Japan-U.S.
Alliance has steadily grown stronger step by step over the
past decades and that it has shown remarkably significant
results, especially this year. They had a meaningful exchange
of views to include nuclear test and missile launch by North
Korea, and situations in the South China Sea.
Forest Light - Japan-U.S. Bilateral Training Exercise -
The GSDF carried out the field training exercise called Forest
Light with the U.S. Marine Corps from January 26th to February
6th at the Yausubetsu Training Area, the Shikaribetsu
Training Area, and the Camp Obihiro located in Hokkaido.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability between the
GSDF and the U.S. Marine Corps by practicing procedures
which would be necessary when the two forces jointly conduct
operations, following each other’s chain of command.
Approx. 400 personnel from the GSDF’s 27th Infantry
Regiment, 5th Brigade, and approx. 300 personnel from the U.S.
Marine Corps’ 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment participated
in the exercise. The Forest Light has been held in Japan since
1981, with this time marking the 57th exercise.
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Activities
Disaster Relief Dispatch to Provide Water Supply
Assistance following Heavy Snowfall
The MOD Symposium
- “Why?” “Now?” The Legislation for Peace and Security -
Activities
From January 25th to February 1st, the MOD and SDF dispatched personnel for
disaster relief activities at the request of eight prefectural governors (Shimane, Hiroshima,
Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima) in order to provide
water supply assistance to communities where an interruption in water service
occurred or water supply capacity declined due to frozen or burst pipes as a result of
the record-breaking cold spell accompanied by heavy snow that began on January 23rd.
The GSDF and ASDF together dispatched a total of approx. 1,860 personnel as well
as approx. 340 one-ton water tank trailers to carry out water supply assistance totaling
approx. 1,280 tons during the dispatch period.
United Nations Staff Officers’ Course (UNSOC) Held
at the Japan Peacekeeping Training & Research Center
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC)
of the Joint Staff College held the United Nations Staff
Officers’ Course (UNSOC) from February 8th to 24th, 2016.
The UNSOC, which marks the fourth time, focuses on the
knowledge and skills needed of mid-level staff officers
engaged in peacekeeping operations and the curriculum
approved by the United Nations. For this UNSOC, a total of
ten personnel from the SDF and MOD, one official of the
Cabinet Office, and three military personnel from Australia
and Malaysia participated. Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani
also observed the course.
Each of the 14 participants possesses own operational
procedures of different organization as well as unique
experiences and values based on each country’s culture and
traditions. Through UNSOC, participants were able to
mutually share and understand their experiences and values
as well as learned about the fundamentals of United Nations
missions and the knowledge and skills for future staff
officers at headquarters that can be immediately applied to
United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Participant Lieutenant Colonel Wisham bin Abdul Hadi of
the Malaysian Army stated that he was able to master the
curricula of this UNSOC thanks to the friendly and diligent
commitment of the instructors and staff as well as the
convenient and prime location of Tokyo.
Deputy Director Aiko Fujita participating from Secretariat
of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters,
Cabinet Office said all of the curricula and exercises of
UNSOC, combined with her own experiences at UNMISS,
proved to be extremely useful to foster understanding and
support for personnel engaging in peacekeeping activities.
As peacekeeping operation missions currently become
more integrated and complex, there is growing demand for
improving coordination between various actors on the
ground, such as military personnel, police officers and
civilians, through training courses during the pre-departure
stage where those actors can jointly train and conduct
exercises. Therefore, JPC continues to make efforts, for
example accepting foreign military personnel and staff of
related ministries to PKOCCC* and UNSOC, in order to
train personnel both in Japan and foreign countries to play an
active role in operations for international peace and security,
including in United Nations peacekeeping operations that
become more integrated.
* PKO Contingent Commanders’ Course
On February 29th, the MOD Symposium in FY2015 was held
in Tokyo. The MOD holds the symposium aiming at attracting
the people’s interests and promoting their understanding
regarding the MOD’s important policies by increasing and
enhancing opportunities of direct dialogue with the people.
This year, the theme was “Why? Now? the Legislation for
Peace and Security - Development of Seamless Legislation for
Peace and Security of Japan and the International Community
-,” and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani delivered a
welcoming speech. Also, Director General of Bureau of
Since the nuclear test conducted by North Korea on January
6th, the MOD had made responses to ensure the safety and
security of Japanese citizens in cooperation with relevant
ministries and agencies as well as the United States and other
countries in order to respond to any situations, as the MOD
recognized the possibility cannot be denied that North Korea
would conduct any provocations including the launch of its
ballistic missiles.
On February 2nd, North Korea notified its plans to launch a
ballistic missile purported to be a “satellite.” The MOD
accordingly issued “Order concerning the implementation of
destruction measures against ballistic missiles,” and made
thorough preparation so that Aegis-equipped destroyers,
PAC-3 units, units for handling damages, and other units
would take necessary measures for the case of any missiles
falling within Japanese territory.
North Korea launched the ballistic missile, which it called a
“satellite,” at approx. 9:31 a.m. on February 7th. It passed over
Okinawa region heading towards the Pacific Ocean. The SDF
did not implement destruction measures against the ballistic
missiles as stipulated under Article 82-3, Paragraph 3 of the
Self-Defense Forces Law. Also, there was no damage within
Japanese territory.
However, the launch represents a serious provocation to
security that undermines the peace and stability of the region
and the international community including Japan. Furthermore,
it is a violation of United Nations Security Council
Defense Policy Satoshi Maeda delivered a keynote speech.
Special Advisor to the Minister of Defense Satoshi Morimoto
(Professor at Takushoku University, former Defense Minister)
moderated the panel discussion, and the MOD invited panelists:
Hiroyuki Akita, editorialist of the Nikkei Newspaper;
Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of Joint Staff (former Special
Advisor to the Minister of Defense); Nobushige Takamizawa,
Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary; Yuichi Hosoya, Professor
of the Faculty of Law at Keio University.
Responses by the MOD and the SDF against
the Missile Launch by North Korea
Resolutions. Japan lodges its serious protest and strongly
condemns North Korea.
Although the “Order concerning the implementation of
destruction measures against ballistic missiles was terminated
on February 8th, the MOD has been working closely with
relevant ministries and agencies as well as the United States
and other countries in continuing to collect and analyze the
necessary information, and carrying out surveillance activity.
Including these measures, the MOD and the SDF will make all
possible efforts to ensure the safety and security of the
Japanese people.
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Column
Japanese Curry
T
oday in Japan you can eat foods from around the
world. While Japanese noodles and breads have
become quite famous to cite but a few, there are
also many foods that have been imported to Japan
from abroad that have evolved and developed into
a unique food in Japan. Japanese Curry is perhaps the most
famous of these foods.
Curry was originally from India and in the second half of
1800 it came to Japan for the first time by way of the British
Empire. The recipe for curry was first introduced in Guide to
Western Cuisine and The Expert on Western Cookery published
in 1872. Later, Japanese Curry would become a dish to
accompany the staple food of cooked rice served by countless
restaurants and prepared often by just about every family in
Japan. Japanese curry has a unique creamy consistency, instead
of soupy consistency, because of the use of flour. It is also very
easy to prepare and provides a well-balanced meal of meat
and vegetables.
At the start of the Meiji period beriberi was the leading
cause of death among navy and army personnel. A navy doctor
ushered in military food reform and introduced a stew flavored
with curry eaten by the Royal British Navy as a new food item.
Today, Japanese Curry is one of the most popular menu
items among MSDF personnel. The recipe and seasoning of
this curry actually differs among each vessel and department.
Some use milk, eggs, or fruit to improve the nutritional
balance, resulting in enduring popularity. Curry festivals and
other events showcasing the different MSDF official curry are
also held throughout Japan, and people actually taste the curry.
LATEST NEWS
Courtesy call on Defense Minister Nakatani by Air Mshl Greg J.
Bagwell, Deputy Commander Operations at Air Command, Royal Air
Force (Feb. 12)
The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minster for Foreign Affairs of Australia
visited the MOD and had a meeting with Defense Minister Nakatani
(Feb. 16)
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