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Defense of Japan 2014 Issued

SPECIAL FEATURE

Women Making a Difference at the MOD-Interview with a SDF Female Officer-Women Making a Difference at the MOD-Interview with a SDF Female Officer-

TOPICS

FIRE POWER 2014 IN FUJIFIRE POWER 2014 IN FUJI

ACTIVITIES

JapanFrance Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister Onodera Meets the U.S. Navy Secretary

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakamiya

Visits France and the UK

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Visits Japan

Scenery of Japan - Itsukushima Shrine

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

JAPANDEFENSEFOCUS

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

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

No.56

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1. JapanU.S. Alliance, Regional Situation

The Senior Vice-Minister and the Deputy Secretary

discussed security environment of the Asia-Pacific region,including the threat to regional peace and stability posed byNorth Koreas provocative missile launches. They alsoconfirmed the U.S. position on the Senkaku Islands andaffirmed that the two countries continue to oppose anyunilateral action that seek to change the status quo in theEast China Sea and other areas. They underscored that theJapanU.S. Alliance will continue to play an important roleto ensure security of Japan as well as peace and stability inthe region.

2. Japans Security Policy

Senior Vice-Minister Takeda explained the progress ofsecurity policy under the Abe administration, including thecabinet decision made in July on development of a newsecurity legislation. Deputy Secretary Work welcomed andsupported such initiatives by the GOJ. They agreed that theycontinue to closely coordinate their policies, and further

enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of theJapanU.S. Alliance.

Parliamentary SeniorVice-Minister of DefenseTakeda met U.S. DeputySecretary of DefenseWork at the JapanMinistry of Defense inTokyo on August 22nd.The summary of themeeting is as follows.

3. Revision of the Guidelines for JapanU.S.

Defense Cooperation

They agreed to continue bilateral discussion for the develop-ment of an interim report on the revision of the 1997 Guide-lines for JapanU.S. Defense Cooperation.

4. Impact Mitigation on Okinawa

Senior Vice-Minister and the Deputy Secretary welcomedthe recent progress on construction of the Futenma Replace-ment Facility, and reconfirmed their commitment tocomplete construction of the facility at Camp Schwab,which is the only solution that avoids the continued use ofMCAS Futenma. The Vice-Minister and the Deputy Secretary also

confirmed that they will closely work together to advanceconcrete cooperation on impact mitigation on Okinawa. Theydiscussed the relocation of KC-130 Squadron from MCASFutenma to MCAS Iwakuni and noted the impending returnof the west Futenma Housing Area to Japan in accordancewith the Okinawa consolidation plan, and the importance ofminimizing the numbers of aircrafts flying from outside toMCAS Futenma. They also highlighted the significant MV-22training conducted off Okinawa and underscored the impor-tance of safe military operations in Japan. Deputy SecretaryWork affirmed that the U.S. is committed to exploring waysto reduce the impact of theU.S. presence in Okinawa.

The next day on August23rd, Deputy SecretaryWork also met with DefenseMinister Onodera for abreakfast meeting.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of

Defense Visits Japan

U.S. Deputy Secretary of

Defense Visits Japan

Vice-Minister Wakamiya visited the Farnborough InternationalAirshow where he toured the latest defense equipment ondisplay by Japanese companies and other corporations. He alsogreeted UK Secretary of State for Foreign and CommonwealthAffairs Philip Hammond (previous Secretary of State forDefence) who was visiting the same airshow. Vice-Minister Wakamiya met with Philip Dunne(Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister forDefence Equipment, Support and Technology) and RichardPaniguian (Head of the UK Trade and Investment Defence andSecurity Organisation) respectively and discussed JapanUKdefense cooperation, including in the field of defense equip-ment and technology. They also agreed to continue dialogueon further bilateral cooperation.

UK (July 16th18th)

Vice-Minister Wakamiyatook part in a ceremony forthe 100th anniversary ofthe World War I on behalfof the Prime Minister and viewed a parade commemorating

the French Revolution, in which the SDF also participated.He also held discussions with France Minister of Defenseand defense officials from other countries in attendance.Vice-Minister Wakamiya visited a facility operated by theFrench Air Force as well.

France (July 13th16th)

With UK Foreign Secretary

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiyavisited France and the UK from July 13th to 18th where heexchanged views with defense officials from both countries.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of DefenseWakamiya Visits France and the UKParliamentary Vice-Minister of DefenseWakamiya Visits France and the UK

Guard of Honor JapanFrance Defense Ministerial Meeting

Signing the declaration of intent

1. Overview

Minister Onodera welcomed Minister Le Drians visit to Japan,stating that he is glad to see the progress in JapanFrancedefense cooperation and exchange. He also referred to the factthat this time marks the 4th defense ministerial meetingbetween the two. Minister Onodera welcomed the signing of

declaration of intent with the France Ministryof Defense on defense cooperation

and exchange as well as the oneon human resources exchange. Minister Le Drian stated thateach party has deeper under-

standing after a number of thedefense ministerial meetings. He

also stated that Japan is a significantpartner country for France and that he would like to maintainthe good relationship with Japan in the area of security as well.

2. JapanFrance Defense Cooperation and Exchange

The Ministers agreed that they will exchange their views onwhat type of cooperation and exchange they can make in thefield of defense equipment and technology and in the SouthPacific region in order to continue to develop JapanFrance

defense cooperation and exchange, and thereby deepeningthe JapanFrance relations further in the area of security anddefense, based on the outcome of JapanFrance ForeignMinisters and Defense Ministers meeting and defenseministerial meeting in January this year as well as bilateraldefense ministerial meeting in May at the Shangri-La

Dialogue along with the summit meeting that took place inMay. They also welcomed the progress in discussion on thenegotiation of the agreement that would work as a frame-work for defense equipment cooperation, as well as thepossibility of cooperation in the area of defense equipmentand technology.

3. Defense Policy

Minister Onodera introduced the recent process and cabinetdecision by the GOJ on the development of security legisla-tion. Minister Le Drian welcomed the GOJs determinationand effort for more proactive contribution to internationalpeace and stability, which will increase the opportunity forJapanFrance cooperation. The Ministers agreed to continuetheir discussion in order to further deepen their understand-ing on security environment surrounding each country and topromote confidence-building.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera met with France DefenseMinister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Tokyo on July 29th, anddiscussed ways ahead for bilateral defense cooperation andexchange, as well as defense policies of each country. Thesummary of the meeting is as follows.

JapanFrance Defense

Ministerial Meeting

Minister Onodera Meets the U.S. Navy SecretaryMinister Onodera Meets the U.S. Navy Secretary

On July 29th, 2014, Defense Minister Onodera met with Mr. Ray Mabus, theU.S. Secretary of the Navy. They exchanged their views on various challengeson security and defense.

During the meeting, Minister Onodera explained the intent of the cabinetdecision by the GOJ on development of security legislation. Navy SecretaryMabus expressed that the U.S. welcomes and supports such efforts by the GOJ.

On July 29th, 2014, Defense Minister Onodera met with Mr. Ray Mabus, theU.S. Secretary of the Navy. They exchanged their views on various challengeson security and defense.

During the meeting, Minister Onodera explained the intent of the cabinetdecision by the GOJ on development of security legislation. Navy SecretaryMabus expressed that the U.S. welcomes and supports such efforts by the GOJ.

On July 29th, 2014, Defense Minister Onodera met with Mr. Ray Mabus, theU.S. Secretary of the Navy. They exchanged their views on various challengeson security and defense.

During the meeting, Minister Onodera explained the intent of the cabinetdecision by the GOJ on development of security legislation. Navy SecretaryMabus expressed that the U.S. welcomes and supports such efforts by the GOJ.

On July 29th, 2014, Defense Minister Onodera met with Mr. Ray Mabus, theU.S. Secretary of the Navy. They exchanged their views on various challengeson security and defense.

During the meeting, Minister Onodera explained the intent of the cabinetdecision by the GOJ on development of security legislation. Navy SecretaryMabus expressed that the U.S. welcomes and supports such efforts by the GOJ.

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Meeting with Foreign Leaderseting with Foreign Leaders

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n August 24th, the annual Fuji Firepower Review was held in the HataokaDistrict of the East Fuji Maneuver Area located in Gotemba City, ShizuokaPrefecture. The Head of the GSDF Fuji School, LTG Seichi Takeuchi, servedas the officer in charge of the training; and the Head of the Fuji SchoolBrigade, MG Yoji Yamanaka, served as the commanding officer of thetraining corps. Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera; Chief of Joint Staff, Gen

Shigeru Iwasaki; GSDF Chief of Staff, GEN Kiyofumi Iwata; MSDF Chief of Staff, ADMKatsutoshi Kawano; ASDF Chief of Staff, Gen Harukazu Saitoh; and officials from the U.S.forces made an inspection of the review. The scenario for this years exercise was to recapturean offshore island occupied by an enemy force, with the GSDF, MSDF, and ASDFdemonstrating their joint operations capabilities in front of acrowd of approx. 29,000 onlookers. The exercise consisted of two parts. In the first part, liveshooting exercises were carried out as a way to introducesome of Japans mainstay defense equipment. In thebeginning of the second part, a movie was shown on a largescreen depicting the creation of a more resilient GSDF forbuilding Dynamic Joint Defense Force, in order to introducethe future posture of the GSDF. Afterwards, under the themeof responding to an attack on an offshore island, the exercise was carried out in three stages:namely (1) troop deployment, (2) mobile deployment, and (3) recapture, based on the National

Defense Program Guidelines approved by the Cabinet in December 2013 and the relatedMedium-Term Defense Program Guidelines. Following the offshore island defense scenario, MSDF P-3C patrol aircraft and ASDF F-2fighter jets took to the sky using multi-purpose missiles and artillery firepower to attack enemyvessels, carry out heliborne attacks, and perform reconnaissance activities against the landing

enemies. The fighting by the main units deployed in the exerciseincluded four Type-10 main battle tanks, which deliver superiormobility, firepower, defense capabilities, and networkingabilities. The tanks showed off the worlds most advancedslalom firing while mutually sharing information. During theexercise, the units broadened military accomplishments andsuccessfully fulfilled the mission parameters. This year marks the 56th commencement of the annual FujiFirepower Review since the first in 1961. It is the only live fire

exercise by the GSDF open to the general public. Approx. 2,300 personnel from various unitstook part as well as 80 armored vehicles, 60 artilleries, 20 aircraft, and approx. 600 other typesof vehicles. Some 44 tons of live munitions were used (costing approx. 350 million yen in total)for the exercise. The number of people wishing to view the Fuji Firepower Review has beenincreasing. This year, only one in 24 applicants won a ticket for the exercise in a lottery.

O

Center: Defense Minister Onodera

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Activitiestivities

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The Defense White Paperfor FY2014, Defense of Japan

2014, was distributed at the Cabinet Meeting on August5th. The MOD publishes the Defense of Japan every year inorder to widely spread awareness and obtain understandingboth in Japan and abroad about the current status and

challenges that Japan faces as well as related initiatives. Thisyear marks the 40th issue. While the Defense of Japan 2013 comprised three parts,the Defense of Japan 2014 is expanded to four, with newlyadded chapter, Bases to Demonstrate Defense Capabilitiesstressed in the new National Defense Program Guidelines. Part I covers the security environment surrounding Japan,focusing on North Koreas launch of ballistic missiles andChinas rapid expansion and intensificationof activities in surrounding waters.

Part II discusses the Cabinet decision onthe development of security legislationand Japans new security and defensepolicies such as the National SecurityStrategy and National DefenseProgram Guidelines.

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Part III describesvarious activities that the

SDF carries out tomaintain security of Japan

as well as regional and internationalpeace and stability, along with measures to

strengthen the JapanU.S. Alliance. Part IV explains the measures related to the

bases supporting Japans defense capabilities, includ-ing the three principles on the transfer of defenseequipment and technology, strategies for strengthening

defense production and technological bases, andpromotion of further engagement of female SDF personnel.

Celebrating the 40th issue milestone, former DirectorGeneral of the Defense Agency and former Prime Minister,Yasuhiro Nakasone contributed a foreword for the Defenseof Japan 2014. It also carries a feature article on the historyof the publication.

In addition to a printed copy, the Defense White Paper

is available in digital book as well as a digest version forsmartphones in order to provide a greater number of

people with access. English translation alongwith summary version inRussian, Chinese, and Koreanwill also be available online.

Women Making aDifference at the MOD-Interview with a SDF Female Officer-

Women Making aDifference at the MOD-Interview with a SDF Female Officer-

Women Making aDifference at the MOD-Interview with a SDF Female Officer-

Lieutenant Colonel Chizu Kurita is afemale officer currently working atGSDF Ground Research and Develop-ment Command. Prior to that, she wasin charge of defense exchanges atDefense and International PolicyPlanning Division, Joint Staff Office.In 2011, she was dispatched to theUnited Nations Integrated Mission inTimor-Leste (UNMIT) for six monthsas a first case of a female officer sentto a PKO mission individually.

Q.What was your main activityat UNMIT?

A.I was a military liaison officerresponsible for collecting informationfrom the locals and reporting onsecurity, social infrastructure, sanitation,and so forth. Although there wereprepared questions, I learned that howthe interview goes depends on theinterviewers and the interviewtechnique. That is why I always paidattention to be polite to the interviewees.

Q.Do you think being a femaleofficer worked positively?

A.I always wanted to add somefemale perspectives to my work. Forexample, I felt that local women foundit easier to talk to me rather than tomale officers, so I often added theircomments to my reports. Moreover, Ibelieve showing them the workingwomen like me would contribute toempowering local women.

for me and the locals, I used gesturesand even Japanese. If you sincerelytry to communicate with them, theywould still understand even whenspeaking different languages.

A.It is that you do not necessarily haveto be fluent in a certain language tocommunicate with the locals. Instead ofusing English, a second language both

Q.Is there any lesson learned

from your experienceat UNMIT?

A.Children in Timor-Lestewere very friendly. Theyalways ran toward andgathered around the UNvehicles. I found outthat my name Kuritameans an octopus inTetum language. Localchildren soon remem-bered me and lovedcalling me Kurita!

Q.Any fond memoryin UNMIT?

A.I was in charge ofdefense exchanges withSoutheast Asian countriesfor about two and a half

years. My assignmentincluded arrangingvarious consultations bothat high-level andworking-level, accompa-nying senior officials ontheir business trips,transcribing records of themeetings, and so forth. In myoffice, I was sometimes calledAsian Kurita by mycolleagues. Well, it sounds like astage name for a comedian, but Itook this name as a complimentsince I was totally involved inmy work with the SoutheastAsian countries.

Q.Tell us aboutyour work

at the JointStaff Office.

Q.What is your future goal?

A.I would like to raise aware-ness of gender equality in the

MOD/SDF. I believe thathaving women working at acertain level in the organization

represents the advanced state ofthe society. In retro-

spect, I do not think Ihave paved thepathless way formy position as a

woman working inthe service.

Although peoplesometimes say I am

kind of a pioneerfemale officer in the

SDF, I actually do notfeel that way. I believemy passion to everysingle assignment Ihave had, warmsupports fromcolleagues, and

efforts of my predeces-sors altogether helpedmake a path to where I

am now. You do nothave to be a man tobe successful in theSDF. Rather, this iswhere you can makeuse of the womens

perspective. I hope thisaspect will be one of

the SDFs strengths inthe future.

Visit our website toread the full text ofthe interview.

http://www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/index.

html#sub01

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Topicsecial Feature

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Honor Guard at the AustralianDefence Force

Minister Onodera meets delegationof five U.S. House members

On-site inspection of disaster-hit areain Hiroshima by Minister Onodera

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Kiharas Visit to UAE, South Africa, and

Brazil (August 2nd~10th)

Chief of Joint Staffs Official Visit to Australia and New Zealand (August 6th~12th)

Gen Iwasaki made an official visit to Australia and New Zealand upon the invitation of Chief of Defence

Force of each country.Courtesy Call on Defense Minister by a Delegation from the U.S. House of Repre-

sentatives (August 10th)

A delegation of five from the U.S. House of Representatives led by Representative Howard McKeon,

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, visited the MOD and met with Minister Onodera.

Disaster Relief Activity by the SDF for Landslide Disaster Caused by a Heavy Rain:

Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture (August 20th~)

On August 26th, Minister Onodera made a site inspection of the landslide-hit area and encouraged SDF

personnel engaging in the rescue operations on site.

tsukushima Shrine, located on the island of Miyajima

in the Seto Inland Sea, has been a holy place of Shinto-

ism since early times. The first shrine buildings here

are believed to have been erected in the 6th century.

The present shrine dates from the 12th century and was regis-

tered as a world heritage in 1996. The harmoniously arranged

buildings reveal great artistic quality and technical skill. The

shrine plays on the contrasts in color and form between moun-

tains and sea, illustrating the Japanese concept of scenic beauty,

the combination of nature and human creativity.

The Miyajima power triathlon is an international competition,

famous for its beautiful racing course. Starting from the foot of

Itsukushima Shrine, the athletes swim across the Seto Inland Sea

toward the shore, and then sprint through bushy country roads

by bike. To make sure that the participants follow the original

racing course, the GSDF 13th Brigade guide them by utilizingits communication equipment in a no-reception area. They also

stand by at the first-aid station in case of a medical relief and

emergency transportation. The road approaching the finish line

is full of warm cheering by locals, volunteers, along with the

GSDF staff.

II

Itsukushima ShrineItsukushima ShrineItsukushima Shrine

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