Then-State Minister of Defense Harada Visits Sri Lanka

Then-State Minister of Defense Harada visited Sri Lanka from July 25th to 26th. There, he signed a memorandum on defense cooperation and exchanges.

1. Courtesy call on President and Minister of Defence Maithripala Sirisena (July 26th)

In Colombo, then-State Minister Harada made a courtesy call on President and Minister of Defence Sirisena. Then-State Minister Harada expressed condolences on behalf of the MOD/JSDF for the many deaths and injuries caused by the explosions that occurred in Colombo and other cities in April. Furthermore, in order to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, they shared recognition of the need to further strengthen the partnership between Japan and Sri Lanka, an important maritime country located at a strategic point on the Indian Ocean sea lane. They also welcomed the signing of the memorandum.

2. Meeting with State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene and signing of a Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges (July 26th)

In Colombo, then-State Minister Harada met with State Minister of Defence Wijewardene. At the meeting, the two ministers discussed each country’s defense policies and Japan-Sri Lanka defense cooperation and exchanges. With regards to Japan-Sri Lanka defense cooperation and exchanges, a wide-ranging discussion was held on methods for strengthening cooperation among all military services, including cooperation between the navies with a focus on training during port calls, cooperation between the air forces with a focus on unit-to-unit exchange during port calls and support for capacity building in search and rescue operations, and the possibility of initiating cooperation and exchange activities between the ground forces.
After the meeting, the two ministers signed the Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of Defence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to develop defense cooperation and exchange in various fields such as maritime security. Then, at a luncheon hosted by State Minister Wijewardene, the two ministers confirmed the long-standing and friendly relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and had broad exchange of views on the security environment surrounding the both countries, including regional situations.

3. Visits to the Port of Colombo and Sri Lanka Navy base Parakrama (July 26th)

Then-State Minister Harada visited the Port of Colombo and the Sri Lanka Navy base. At the port, he examined the status of the control tower. At the Sri Lanka Navy base, then-State Minister Harada boarded the SLNS Gajabahu and observed the inside of the ship, including the bridge. He also met with the captain.

4. Laying flowers for victims of terrorism at the Shangri-La Hotel and St. Anthony’s Church (July 26th)

In Colombo, then-State Minister Harada visited the Shangri-La Hotel and St. Anthony’s Church, which were the sites of the explosions during the terrorist attacks in April. There, he offered flowers and a prayer for the souls of the victims.

Defense Exchange with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force

After participating in Talisman Sabre 2019 with the U.S. forces in Australia, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and 1st Helicopter Brigade returned to Japan aboard the JS Ise and JS Kunisaki. On the way, they participated in a defense exchange with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea from August 3rd to 5th, 2019.

During the exchange, the JGSDF exhibited the AAV7 and other assets used in the Talisman Sabre 2019, explained the activities of the JGSDF, through which the PNGDF deepened understanding of the JGSDF. They also promoted friendship with the PNGDF Military Band, which the JGSDF Central Band supported to establish and develop through capacity-building assistance. These exchanges contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening the relationship of trust between the two countries.

Fuji Firepower Exercise 2019

On August 25th, the annual Fuji Firepower Exercise was held in the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Approx. 2,400 personnel from various units participated in the exercise, with 80 armored vehicles and tanks, 60 artilleries, 20 aircraft, and other types of assets. Approx. 24,000 people visited the maneuver area to observe the exercise.

In the exercise, the JGSDF introduced the Network Electronic Warfare System (NEWS) to conduct trainings for electronic warfare, which aims to disrupt opponent’s communications. In the first part of this exercise, medium to short range live fire as well as helicopter and tank live fire were demonstrated.

In the second part, comprehensive live fire exercise that is designed to respond enemy invasion to Japan’s remote islands under the joint operation was demonstrated. In this part, this live fire exercise incorporated the operational scenarios that are “Blocking enemy attack with pre-deployed units to remote island” and “Defeating enemy units by reinforcements” for the defense of Japan’s remote islands under the joint operation.