Japan-U.S.-Canada Joint Training

Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Fourth Quarter of FY2015

Status of Scrambles in FY2015

Tsuyu – The Rainy Season

KOMODO 2016 Multilateral Joint Naval Training Exercise

Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2016 Ship Rider Program

Establishment of the Coast Observation Unit on Yonaguni Island

The Icebreaker Shirase’s Return

GSDF Kodaira School

Japan’s DefenseCapacity Building Assistance

TOPICS

www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Japan’s Defense Capacity Building AssistanceCover Photograph :

JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS

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

May 2016No.76

MOD and SDF Capacity Building Assistance EffortsMOD and SDF Capacity Building Assistance Efforts

Background behind Defense Capacity Building AssistanceBackground behind Defense Capacity Building Assistance

PPGvv%61

RecipientsRecipients

Area of CooperationArea of Cooperation

Military or military related organizations of nationsMilitary or military related organizations of nations

HA/DR, Maritime Security, PKO, etc.HA/DR, Maritime Security, PKO, etc.

Types of AssistanceTypes of Assistance・Long-term education and training in recipient countries・Short-term seminar and training in recipient countries・Short-term invitation program

・Long-term education and training in recipient countries・Short-term seminar and training in recipient countries・Short-term invitation program

ObjectivesObjectivesStabilization of the international security environment by achieving the following goals:① The recipients of our assistance are able to contribute

to international security independently② Closer relations with the recipient countries③ Closer relations with assisting countries including,

but not limited to, the U.S. and Australia④ Gaining trust from the international community

Stabilization of the international security environment by achieving the following goals:① The recipients of our assistance are able to contribute

to international security independently② Closer relations with the recipient countries③ Closer relations with assisting countries including,

but not limited to, the U.S. and Australia④ Gaining trust from the international community

* projects conducted in cooperation with other countries * projects conducted in cooperation with other countries

What is Defense Capacity Building Assistance? Capacity Building Assistance is assisting other nations to build their defense capacities through using the resources of our country. In the area of security and defense, the MOD and SDF use their capabilities and resources to assist other nations’ militaries or military related organizations.

In an increasingly complex security environment, no single country can secure its own peace and security independently, and the international community needs to address global issues in concert.

In particular, the need for capacity building assistance in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), maritime security, and UN mandated peacekeeping operations (PKO) is rapidly increasing, and many nations, including South East Asian countries, call for Japan’s assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels.

What is Defense Capacity Building Assistance? Capacity Building Assistance is assisting other nations to build their defense capacities through using the resources of our country. In the area of security and defense, the MOD and SDF use their capabilities and resources to assist other nations’ militaries or military related organizations.

In an increasingly complex security environment, no single country can secure its own peace and security independently, and the international community needs to address global issues in concert.

In particular, the need for capacity building assistance in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), maritime security, and UN mandated peacekeeping operations (PKO) is rapidly increasing, and many nations, including South East Asian countries, call for Japan’s assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels.

Civil Engineering Military Medicine

PKO Aviation Safety.Underwater Medicine.International Aviation Law.Aviation Medicine

HA/DR

Military Music HA/DR※hosted by the Australian Defence Force

Civil Engineering※Conducted with the U.S. and Australian Forces

HA/DR（Vehicle maintenance）

HA/DR（Aviation Transportations） International Aviation Law

Maritime Security（Oceanography）

International Aviation Law

HA/DR

Underwater MedicineAviation Meteorology

HA/DR

International Aviation Law

HA/DR※Co-hosted with the United Kingdom

Civil Engineering Countries in which theGround Self-Defense Forcehas conducted assistance

Countries in which the AirSelf-Defense Force hasconducted assistance

Countries in which multipleSelf-Defense Forces haveconducted assistance

Others

Indonesia

The Philippines

Timor-Leste

Papua New Guinea

Vietnam

ASEAN Countries

Cambodia

Malaysia

Myanmar

Lao PDR

Mongolia Japan’s Defense Capacity Building AssistanceOverview

Defense Capacity Building Assistance Conducted in FY2015Timor-Leste

Cambodia

Vietnam

Indonesia

Mongolia

Myanmar

Papua New Guinea

The Philippines

Malaysia

Lao PDR

Others(ASEAN Countries)

HA/DR, Civil Engineering (*)

Military Music

Civil Engineering

Underwater Medicine (*), Aviation Safety, Aviation Medicine, PKO

Maritime Security (Oceanography)

Military Medicine, Civil Engineering

Underwater Medicine, HA/DR, Aviation Meteorology

International Aviation Law

International Aviation Law

HA/DR

HA/DR (*)

MayNo.76Visit JDF website to see more photos and web-only articles. 32 May

No.76

TopicsTopics

On April 14th, the icebreaker Shirase has concluded its mission and returned to Harumi pier, Tokyo port. Shirase is the only icebreaker of Japan belonging to MSDF and is primarily used for supporting the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Shirase departed Japan on November 16th last year as part of the 57th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, in which the crews supported observations and base camp operations by executing missions of transporting supplies and personnel. At the end of February 2016, Shirase provided support for transporting the members of Australian Antarctic research expedition at the request of the Australian Government (see Japan Defense Focus No. 75). Japan Defense Focus No. 70 features an interview with Captain Hisanobu Oga, Commanding officer of Shirase, recorded before the ship’s departure last year. Please check it out.

On April 14th, the icebreaker Shirase has concluded its mission and returned to Harumi pier, Tokyo port. Shirase is the only icebreaker of Japan belonging to MSDF and is primarily used for supporting the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Shirase departed Japan on November 16th last year as part of the 57th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, in which the crews supported observations and base camp operations by executing missions of transporting supplies and personnel. At the end of February 2016, Shirase provided support for transporting the members of Australian Antarctic research expedition at the request of the Australian Government (see Japan Defense Focus No. 75). Japan Defense Focus No. 70 features an interview with Captain Hisanobu Oga, Commanding officer of Shirase, recorded before the ship’s departure last year. Please check it out.

The Icebreaker Shirase’s Return

Establishment of the Coast Observation Unit on Yonaguni IslandOn March 28th, Camp Yonaguni was newly established on Yonaguni Island and the Yonaguni Coast Observation Unit was newly deployed with other units.

With a view to organizing the structure required to carry out regular and persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) activities which enable an immediate response in the case of various contingencies, GSDF Coast Observa-tion Unit was newly deployed on Yonaguni Island.

Including the establishment of the Coast Observation Unit, MOD continues to make efforts to secure effective deterrence and response capabilities in various situations by broadly carrying out regular and persistent ISR activities in the adjacent areas of Japan.

On March 28th, Camp Yonaguni was newly established on Yonaguni Island and the Yonaguni Coast Observation Unit was newly deployed with other units.

With a view to organizing the structure required to carry out regular and persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) activities which enable an immediate response in the case of various contingencies, GSDF Coast Observa-tion Unit was newly deployed on Yonaguni Island.

Including the establishment of the Coast Observation Unit, MOD continues to make efforts to secure effective deterrence and response capabilities in various situations by broadly carrying out regular and persistent ISR activities in the adjacent areas of Japan.

The MSDF participated in KOMODO Exercise 2016 multilateral joint naval training exercise organized by the Indonesian Navy that took place from April 12th to 16th. Also, the MSDF took part in the International Fleet Review that was hosted by the Indonesian Navy and was held along with the exercise.

The MSDF destroyer, Ise, took part in the training exercise regarding humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The participation is regarded as a part of substantial cooperation with Indonesia for maritime security contrib-uting to regional peace and stability. Moreover, the MSDF deepened friendly relationship with participating countries through its participation in the International Fleet Review in Indonesia.

KOMODO 2016 Multilateral Joint Naval Training Exercise

Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2016 Ship Rider ProgramFrom April 13th to 26th, the MSDF held the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2016 Ship Rider Program, an exchange program for the next-generation of officers from countries participating in WPNS. The purpose of the program is for next-generation officers of each participating country’s navy to gather together to foster mutual understanding between the host country as well as to build up personal networks among such participants. Lieutenants or their equiva-lent navy personnel from the 19* WPNS participating countries were invited. The participants boarded the destroyer Ise in Padang, Indonesia, in which they observed the Komodo Exercise 2016, a multilateral joint training exercise hosted by the Indonesian Navy. They also took part in discussions and observed training aboard the Ise. This exchange had been performed until the Ise docked in Subic, the Philippines, marking the end of the program.

Actually this is great pleasure for me to gain new experience as well as clear understanding about role of MSDF. I think the debate program which was held with officers from 19 countries is the most important and effective program. This is great opportunity to share our knowledge and ideas with other navies, but it also builds our mutual understanding and good cooperation among us. We learnt about maritime law and discussed cooperative activities like disaster management and antipiracy mission. We got clear idea about some parts of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). Actually this is great honour for me to participate in this kind of program and I highly recom-mend this program for our junior officers to enhance their experience. Already Japan is a good friend of Sri Lanka. This program will help to refresh our bond again and again.

I think “Ship Rider Program” is quite useful and interesting which young officers from different countries gathered. They share information together; there are a lot of differences in culture and in social structure, so learning about each other’s culture helps us to understand each other better. This Program helps us to tighten relationship and friendship between countries. Through this program I learned a lot of things: - Cultures and Navy organizational structure of countries which joined this program. - Participant’s point of view about some difficult problems in the world, as well as experience to solve that one. - Ship handling, fly with the helicopter. - Receiving oil on the sea. - Memorial service heroic martyrs who died for their country. I enjoyed organizing memorial service and HELO boarding. If I have a chance, I want to participate in this program again. I also will recommend my junior to participate. I think this program course is something good for the relation between my country and Japan, as well as my navy and MSDF. We want to tighten relationship and cooperation with Japan.

SRI LANKA NAVY Additional officer, SLNS PRATHAPALT WRUB Wijayasundara

VIETNAM PEOPLE’S NAVY Executive Officer, frigate 375LT Tran Van Khue

*Participating countries (19)Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the U.K., Vietnam, and the United States

5MayNo.76Visit JDF website to see more photos and web-only articles.4 May

No.76

ActivitiesSpecial Feature

The ASDF scrambled 571 times against Chinese aircraft in FY2015, an increase of 107 times compared to the previous year. It is the highest number since 2001, in which the MOD began publicizing the number of scrambles by countries and regions. In FY2015, the MOD publicized 14 cases as a peculiar flight, including a case, which aircraft passed through the Tsushima Strait for the first time and flew over the Sea of Japan.

Characteristics of Responses in FY2015

The ASDF scrambled 288 times against Russian aircraft in FY2015, a decrease of 185 times compared to the previous year. In FY2015, the MOD publicized 10 cases as airspace violation and a peculiar flight. Scrambles against Chinese fighter aircraft and Russian intelligence gathering aircraft were outstanding in frequency compared to other types of aircraft of each country, although this includes estimation. The period of this data is from April 1st, 2015, to March 31st, 2016.

In total, the ASDF scrambled 873 times in FY2015, which marked a decrease of 70 times compared to the previous year. The breakdown of scrambles by countries and regions was about 65% against Chinese aircraft, about 33% against Russian aircraft, and about 2% against other aircraft although the countries and regions include supposition.

Status o

f Scramb

les

in FY201

5

1. Number of days: 77 (AT: 665days)2. Number of commercial vessels confirmed:

Approx. 350 (AT: 13,040 vessels)

Record of Mission (January through March, 2016)

Zone Defense Performed in the Same Area

[Breakdown]Japanese-registered ships: 0 (AT: 17 )Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies: 3 (AT: 661)Foreign ships other than above: 30 (AT: 2,995)

*The above record does not include the 1st - 41st escort operation performed as Maritime Security Activities.

1. Number of escort operations: 20 times (The 657th – 676th escort operation under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

2. Number of escorted vessels: 33 vessels (AT 3,673 of escorted vessels since the start of operations under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

Record of Mission (January through March, 2016)

Escort Operations Performed by MSDF Units in the Same Area

Record of Mission (January through March, 2016)

Aerial Activities of P-3C Patrol Aircraft off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden

1. Number of flights: 55 flights (Accumulated Total (AT): 1,530 flights)2. Flight hours: Approx. 420 hours (AT: Approx. 11,780 hours)3. Number of visually confirmed commercial ships: Approx. 4,500 ships

(AT: Approx. 127,000 ships)4. Number of times of information sharing to Japanese destroyers,

foreign warships, and/or commercial ships: Approx. 210 times (AT: Approx. 11,790 times)

Following data shows the records of the measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden from January through March, 2016.

Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Fourth Quarter of FY2015

The MSDF conducted the joint training with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force from March 9th to 11th.

The training aimed at enhancing the MSDF’s tactics and combat skills as well as strengthening cooperative relationships with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The training was took place in waters off Sanriku. From the MSDF, one P-3C from Fleet Air Wing 2 (Hachinohe) and one P-1 from Fleet Air Wing 4 (Atsugi) partici-pated. For this training, the U.S. Navy sent one P-8A from the Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN, while the Royal Canadian Air Force sent one CP-140 from the 19 Wing Comox.

The MSDF conducted the joint training with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force from March 9th to 11th.

The training aimed at enhancing the MSDF’s tactics and combat skills as well as strengthening cooperative relationships with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The training was took place in waters off Sanriku. From the MSDF, one P-3C from Fleet Air Wing 2 (Hachinohe) and one P-1 from Fleet Air Wing 4 (Atsugi) partici-pated. For this training, the U.S. Navy sent one P-8A from the Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN, while the Royal Canadian Air Force sent one CP-140 from the 19 Wing Comox.

Japan-U.S.-Canada Joint Training

Under the policy of “developing flexible and strong “language warriors”,” the Language Education Department of GSDF Kodaira School instructs personnel of various ranks, from non-commissioned officers to commissioned officers on a daily basis. Students learn English specified for their duties for various periods ranging from several weeks to half a year, depending on their courses.

Lieutenant Colonel Kitano, head of the English Instructors’ Office, notes, “Our students enroll with motivation and have strong desire to learn. In our duty, such as joint training, there can be situations in which SDF service members, not general citizens, must work as interpreters. I expect that students will be able to fulfill such duties after the completion of their courses.”

Under the policy of “developing flexible and strong “language warriors”,” the Language Education Department of GSDF Kodaira School instructs personnel of various ranks, from non-commissioned officers to commissioned officers on a daily basis. Students learn English specified for their duties for various periods ranging from several weeks to half a year, depending on their courses.

Lieutenant Colonel Kitano, head of the English Instructors’ Office, notes, “Our students enroll with motivation and have strong desire to learn. In our duty, such as joint training, there can be situations in which SDF service members, not general citizens, must work as interpreters. I expect that students will be able to fulfill such duties after the completion of their courses.”

GSDF Kodaira School is located in Kodaira City, Tokyo, and is providing several training for intelligence service, military police and accounting. It also has courses for practical matters, especially foreign language capability and personnel matters. The mission of the school is to develop human resources who can contribute to a broad variety of areas. For this mission, the school provides education not only to GSDF personnel, but also to MSDF personnel, ASDF personnel, administrative officials, and technical and engineering officials. The education provided by GSDF Kodaira School is essential to fulfill missions of MOD and SDF, including the defense of Japan, international peace cooperation activities, and disaster relief.

GSDF Kodaira School is located in Kodaira City, Tokyo, and is providing several training for intelligence service, military police and accounting. It also has courses for practical matters, especially foreign language capability and personnel matters. The mission of the school is to develop human resources who can contribute to a broad variety of areas. For this mission, the school provides education not only to GSDF personnel, but also to MSDF personnel, ASDF personnel, administrative officials, and technical and engineering officials. The education provided by GSDF Kodaira School is essential to fulfill missions of MOD and SDF, including the defense of Japan, international peace cooperation activities, and disaster relief.

GSDF Kodaira School

7MayNo.76Visit JDF website to see more photos and web-only articles.6 May

No.76MayNo.76

ActivitiesActivities

April 2016: " We Are Tomodachi Spring / Summer 2016" Released

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May 26th and 27th, 2016May 26th and 27th, 2016

Courtesy call on Defense Minister Nakatani by Gen. Jang Jungyu, Chief of Staff, the Republic of Korea Army (Apr. 18)

Courtesy call on Defense Minister Nakatani by Lt. Gen. Angus Camp-bell, Chief of Army, Australian Army (Apr. 11)

Courtesy call on Defense Minister Nakatani by Lt. Gen. John. A. Toolan, Commander, U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific (Apr. 8)

LATESTNEWS

Lt. Gen. John. A. Toolan Lt. Gen. John. A. Toolan

Gen. Jang JungyuGen. Jang Jungyu

n Japan, there are a lot of cloudy and rainy days from May to July. This time period is called tsuyu, or the rainy season. This is a seasonal phenomenon in which the season transitions from spring to summer, resulting in the most rain and least sunlight of the year.

During the rainy season most days are cloudy or rainy, affecting people’s daily life in various ways. At the same time, though, this season is essential as it brings critical water needed for agriculture during the middle of summer that follows soon after. The MOD and SDF have established standards for the naming of vessels used by the MSDF. When naming a destroyer, it is stipulated to use weather phenomena, mountains, rivers or the names of regions. For example, some DD “MURASAME” class destroyers were named after rain as follows.

n Japan, there are a lot of cloudy and rainy days from May to July. This time period is called tsuyu, or the rainy season. This is a seasonal phenomenon in which the season transitions from spring to summer, resulting in the most rain and least sunlight of the year.

During the rainy season most days are cloudy or rainy, affecting people’s daily life in various ways. At the same time, though, this season is essential as it brings critical water needed for agriculture during the middle of summer that follows soon after. The MOD and SDF have established standards for the naming of vessels used by the MSDF. When naming a destroyer, it is stipulated to use weather phenomena, mountains, rivers or the names of regions. For example, some DD “MURASAME” class destroyers were named after rain as follows.

I

梅雨梅雨

Tsuyu The Rainy Season

Murasame: passing rain; sudden shower

Murasame: passing rain; sudden shower

Harusame: spring rainHarusame: spring rain

Yudachi: sudden evening shower

Yudachi: sudden evening shower

Kirisame: drizzle; light rain

Kirisame: drizzle; light rain

Samidare: early-summer rain

Samidare: early-summer rain

8 MayNo.76

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