FY2020 Regional Army’s Field Training Exercise (JGSDF Western Army)

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Western Army is conducting the FY2020 Regional Army’s Field Training Exercise from October 16th through November 5th.

This exercise is the largest field training exercise for the JGSDF Western Army, which is taking place in the camps and training areas in the western region, as well as outside of JSDF facilities such as the facilities of the U.S. Forces and the private properties.

The Northern Army, the North Eastern Army and the Central Army as well as the JMSDF and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) are participating in this field training exercise.

As part of this exercise, various drills are carried out across the western region. For example, a unit from the JGSDF’s 8th Division (Kita Kumamoto) is conducting various exercises at Hijudai Training Area (Oita Prefecture), which intends to cover all stages to counter an invasion of remote islands from deploying the SDF units to anti-landing combat; a unit from the JGSDF 15th Brigade (Naha) is conducting anti-air warfare drills at the JASDF Naha Base and other locations; and the JGSDF Western Army Intelligence Unit (Kengun) is conducting a flight training to simulate flying drones on remote islands at the former site of Tanegashima Airport in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The JGSDF Western Army is conducting the exercise at four U.S. Forces facilities in Okinawa: Camp Hansen, Torii Station, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, and Makiminato Service Area. Communications training is conducted at Camp Hansen, intelligence and logistics training is conducted at Torii Station, anti-aircraft training is conducted at MCAS Futenma, and intelligence training is conducted at Makiminato Service Area.

The JGSDF aims on improving the capabilities to respond to various situations by conducting this exercise which relates to countering an invasion of remote islands of Japan.

(as of the end of October 2020)

Japan-EU Joint Naval Exercise and Port Call on Djibouti

On October 5th-6th, Deployment Surface Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE) and EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) conducted an anti-piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. The JMSDF JS OHNAMI, Spanish Navy Frigate SANTA MARIA and Spanish Air Force’s P-3M carried out the exercise.

Through the exercise, Japan and the EU confirmed their commitment and the coordination between their respective forces in the fight against piracy.

Further, DSPE and EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation Atalanta conducted the naval parade off Djibouti and paid a joint port call on Djibouti on October 15th. The port call was conducted by JS OHNAMI, Italian Navy Frigate ALPINO, Spanish Navy Frigates SANTA MARIA and REINA SOPHIA, Spanish Air Force’s P-3M and German Navy’s P-3C.

On this occasion, MOD/JSDF and the EU jointly hosted the ceremony to supply goods to local schools that suffered from damage by heavy rain and floods in November 2019. Japan delivered stationary and sports goods such as volleyballs donated by Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, which has been exchanging with Djibouti. The EU delivered personal protection equipment, such as facial masks and hand gels, as well as stationary.

On the same day, MOD/JSDF conducted a video conference with the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) and EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation Atalanta. During the video conference, they shared the lessons learned from the joint exercise on October 5th-6th and confirmed the importance of coordination between Japan and the EU in the anti-piracy activities.

Japan and the EU are committed to upholding the rules-based international order through practical maritime cooperation, including cooperation on freedom of navigation and overflight, to secure sea-lanes of communication and to protect the global maritime domain against all types of threat, traditional and non-traditional. Japan and the EU are determined to pursue and enhance their cooperation on freedom of navigation and maritime security through future training initiatives and operational activities at sea. Furthermore, they stand ready to extend their lasting cooperation in this area so as to include also other partners in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific region.

Recent Defense Minister’s Meetings with the U.S. side

1. Japan-U.S. Defense Ministers’ Teleconference

On October 7th, Minister Kishi held a teleconference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper.

After his inaugural greeting, Minister Kishi expressed his resolve to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Secretary Esper offered his congratulations on Minister Kishi’s appointment to the office.

The Ministers exchanged their views on the latest situation of the Indo-Pacific region, and reconfirmed that Japan and the U.S. will fulfill an even bigger role for regional peace and prosperity with a strong Japan-U.S. Alliance as a foundation.

Concerning an offshore option as an alternative for Aegis Ashore, Minister Kishi requested that the U.S. continues to support the Ministry’s review. The Ministers confirmed that Japan and the U.S. will continue to closely work together to proceed with the study including the technical aspects.

The Ministers agreed that Japan and the U.S. will continue to closely work together to steadily progress the U.S. realignment plan including the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma to Henoko-saki.

The two Ministers confirmed the importance of maintaining the readiness of U.S. Forces in Japan, and agreed that both countries will continue to cooperate with each other, with the recognition that local understanding and cooperation is essential for maintaining readiness. The Ministers confirmed the importance of securing safe operations of the U.S. Forces.

2. Meeting with the USFJ Commander

On October 8th, Minister Kishi visited Yokota Air Base and had a discussion with Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of the U.S. Forces Japan and the 5th Air Force. Along with giving an inaugural greeting, the minister also expressed his gratitude for the day-to-day efforts of Lt. Gen. Schneider, representing the U.S. Forces in Japan and the U.S. 5th Air Force, to ensure the regional peace and stability, develop the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and build relationships with the local community. The minister also expressed his intention to continue to develop the cooperation between the JSDF and the U.S. Forces.

They also exchanged views on the regional security environment surrounding Japan, realignment of the U.S. Forces and various challenges concerning the USFJ.

3. Courtesy Calls from Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Secretary of the U.S. Army, and the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Minister Kishi received courtesy calls from the U.S. Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite on October 15th, from the U.S. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy on October 20th, and from Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on October 23rd.

During these courtesy calls, the leaders exchanged views on regional affairs and reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Keen Sword 21/02FTX

The JSDF and the U.S. Forces are conducting the Japan-U.S. Joint Field Training Exercise (Keen Sword 21/02FTX) from October 26th through November 5th. The Japan-U.S. bilateral joint exercise was commenced in 1985, and this year marked the 15th iteration of FTX (Keen Sword).

Approx. 37,000 personnel, 20 ships, and 170 aircraft from the JSDF and approx. 9,000 personnel from the U.S. Forces have been participating in the exercise. A ship from the Royal Canadian Navy also joined the exercise.

In addition to the traditional fields of training such as amphibious operation, ground operation, maritime operation and airspace operation, this year’s Keen Sword includes the training related to operations in the new domains, such as space situational awareness, counter cyber terrorism and electromagnetic warfare.

Those exercises are carried out in the sea and airspace of Japan, in the installations of the JSDF and those of the U.S. Forces. Non-JSDF facilities such as Gajajima and Tanegashima of Kagoshima Prefecture are also used for amphibious training.

Furthermore, the training relocation of MV-22 and the rotary wing aircraft, which are currently stationed at MCAS Futenma, to the outside of Okinawa is also conducted at the same time.

Through this exercise, the JSDF and the U.S. Forces, based on the strong relationship of two countries, reaffirm the readiness of respective forces and enhance their interoperability. The JSDF and the U.S. Forces will maintain and strengthen the posture and capability to actively contribute to the peace and stability of the region.

(as of the end of October 2020)