Participation in Pacific Partnership 2014

A1. Pacific Partnership (PP) is a mission hosted by the U.S. forces that started in 2007. During PP, vessels mainly composed of the U.S. Navy visit countries in the region and conduct activities such as medical care, construction work, and cultural exchanges. The aim of this mission is to strengthen mutual collaboration among participating nations and to promote smooth implementation of international peace cooperation operations and international disaster relief activities, collaborating with other governments, militaries, and NGOs.

A2. Through exchanges among military and civilian personnel of partner and host nations by conducting medical care, maintenance of facilities, and cultural exchange, PP is expected to promote mutual understanding and cooperation among related nations and improve the international security environment.
By providing medical services, repairing facilities, and transporting supplies/ other goods, participation in PP will serve the purpose of improving our skills in the fields of medical care, facility maintenance, and transport in international peace cooperation operations. Partner nations can also acquire expertise to coordinate and collaborate with civilian organizations.

A3. The MOD/SDF has deployed its personnel from the MSDF annually and participated in medical activities since 2007. In 2010, the MOD deployed SDF troops for the first time to include an MSDF transport vessel KUNISAKI and a medical team from the GSDF, ASDF, and MSDF. The SDF also cooperated with civilian organizations such as NGOs in Vietnam and Cambodia.
In 2011, although the size of the deployment had been planned to be the same, it was reduced due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Several medical officers, dental officers, and others were deployed to East Timor and Micronesia.
In 2012, an SDF transport aircraft was deployed for the first time. In addition, SDF medical team (approx. 40 personnel), a MSDF transport vessel (OSUMI), NGOs and other organizations (2 organizations and 19 individuals) were deployed to the Philippines and Vietnam.
In 2013, SDF medical personnel were deployed to Tonga. In Papua New Guinea, SDF Medical personnel, a MSDF vessel (YAMAGIRI) as well as ASDF transport vessel were deployed and carried out activities in cooperation with NGOs.

A4. PP 2014 took place in the Southeast Asian countries. The MOD/SDF conducted activities in Vietnam from June 6th to 15th, in Cambodia from June 19th to 28th, and in the Philippines from July 4th to 15th. We dispatch:

• (1)　Medical personnel from GSDF, MSDF, and ASDF: 40
• (2)　GSDF engineer personnel: 10
• (3)　MSDF vessel (Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines): 1
• (4)　ASDF transport aircraft (the Philippines): 1

Also in Cambodia and the Philippines, the SDF conducted activities in cooperation with NGOs.
The activities of PP 2014 included:

• (1)　Comprehensive medical care mainly composed of internal medicine and dental service
• (2)　Public health education to local residents and medical staff
• (3)　Repairing facilities such as local medical clinics and schools
• (4)　Cultural exchanges with local residents (introduction of Japanese culture such as origami paper folding art and kendo fencing)