Field Feeding of the JGSDF

The JGSDF Camp Matsudo provides training for the JSDF personnel engaged in logistic support such as food, clothing, fuel, parachutes, and equipment to supply water.

Among the many courses offered, the Food Enlisted Men General Course (FEG Course) provides training for the personnel who prepare meals for JSDF units in the field. Members of the course spend three months learning the fundamentals of nutrition science and cooking techniques. They are also required to master outdoor cooking techniques by learning to use various types of equipment available for field cooking.

Upon completing the course, graduates become field feeding personnel, working to ensure that JSDF units can perform their duties at their best even in harsh environments through serving meals to them.

As the JSDF has had increased opportunities to engage in overseas activities in order to contribute to maintaining peace and security in the international community, managing health conditions of the deployed personnel is important for them to fulfill their responsibilities in remote regions.

Available food supplies and cooking environment differ depending on the area of deployment. The field feeding personnel therefore use a variety of techniques to ensure they can provide fresh and safe meals, aiming to maintain the health of the deployed personnel.

As well as ensuring that the deployed personnel maintain their physical condition, the field feeding personnel also serve seasonal meals that the deployed personnel are familiar with, such as regional Japanese cuisine and traditional New Year’s dishes. These efforts help reduce their stress during deployment, keeping psychological wellbeing, and improving morale.

During disaster relief activities, in addition to search and rescue and decontamination duties, daily living support, such as providing meals and bathing, is also another important mission.

The Field Kitchen 1 (Remodeled) is one piece of equipment used by the JGSDF for these purposes. The Kitchen is a portable cooking equipment mounted on a one-ton trailer, consisting of six kitchen ranges and ovens, vegetable slicer and other cooking tools. This equipment allows the field feeding personnel to prepare enough amount of hot meals for about 250 people within 45 minutes. Such equipment enables the JGSDF to provide hot meals even at places like evacuation centers.

There are also opportunities to use this function to enhance defense cooperation and exchanges with other countries.

For instance, during the Japan-U.S. Joint Field Training Exercise Yamasakura (YS), a cooking competition called “Iron Chef” was held, in which the JGSDF and U.S. Army competed against each other to earn the title of best chef. This initiative helped further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

By making the best use of capabilities of JSDF personnel and a variety of equipment, the MOD/JSDF will continue to ensure Japan’s security and contribute to the peace and security of the world as a member of the Asia-Pacific region and international society.

Recent Military Exchanges

Chief of Staff, JGSDF visits Cambodia

From February 26th to 29th, General Yuasa, Chief of Staff, JGSDF made an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia for the first time for the JGSDF Chief of Staff.

During the visit, General Yuasa paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Hun Sen and met with Deputy Chairman of the Royal Cambodian Armed Force (RCAF) Joint Staff, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, a counterpart of the JGSDF Chief of Staff and a son of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Kingdom of Cambodia was the first country to which Japan dispatched JSDF personnel for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) in 1992. Currently, the JGSDF has provided the capacity building program on engineering to the RCAF candidates for UN PKO deployment. These efforts have helped the RCAF personnel improve their capacities, and they are now contributing to the peace and stability in the international community through operations in Lebanon, Central Africa, and Mali.

Through these courtesy calls and meetings, the Cambodian Government and the RCAF expressed great appreciation for the capacity building program by the JGSDF and the human resource development through the acceptance of Cambodian students. They also confirmed that these support initiatives should continue in the future.

Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visits Vietnam

On March 2nd, General Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visited the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, where he paid a courtesy call on General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of Defence, and held a meeting with Sr Lt. Gen. Phan Vang Giang, Chief of the General Staff. The leaders exchanged views on the security environment surrounding the two countries and agreed to promote defense cooperation and exchanges to contribute to the promotion of the Joint Vision Statement on Japan-Vietnam Relations.

Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visits Thailand

On March 5th, General Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visited the Kingdom of Thailand, where he made a courtesy call on General Chaichan Changmongkol, Deputy Minister of Defence and held a meeting with General Pornpipat Benyasri, Chief of the Defence Forces. The leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral relations based on the Japan-Thailand Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges and exchanged views on the security environment surrounding the two countries.