Message

• August 1 NEW

  Greeting from the Chief Of Staff, Joint Staff

  To everyone visiting the website of the Joint Staff Office, As of today(Aug 1,2025), I, UCHIKURA Hiroaki, have been entrusted by Minister of Defense Nakatani with the significant role of serving as the 8th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff. I am deeply honored by this prestigious appointment and feel the weight of its responsibility. From this point forward, I’ll carry out my duties with determination and devote my utmost efforts to protecting Japan’s security.
  　Let me share part of my thoughts upon assuming this position.

  【Japan Faces Two Major Risks】
  1. Geopolitical Risk
  　The prolonged invasion of Ukraine by Russia, escalating military conflicts in the Middle East, and rising tensions between countries such as India and Pakistan, and Thailand and Cambodia, reflect growing instability worldwide. In Japan’s vicinity, military activities by China and North Korea are intensifying, and cooperation with Russia is increasing. These developments are affecting the international order, making our security environment more severe than ever.
  2. Natural Disaster Risk
  　Japan must prepare for large-scale disasters such as a Tokyo inland earthquake, the Nankai Trough earthquake, typhoons, and heavy rains. These unpredictable and increasingly severe events require urgent and ongoing preparedness.
  　In this challenging environment, Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel are actively engaged not only around Japan but also in places like the waters off Somalia, South Sudan, and even in space and cyberspace. They are working to protect Japan’s interests and build trust with the international community. I deeply appreciate their dedication and the rigorous training they undergo daily.
  　In March of this year, the Joint Operations Command was established, marking a new phase in our integrated operational structure. To build a system by 2027 that enables Japan to independently prevent and repel invasions, we must accelerate the strengthening of our defense capabilities.
  　From this perspective, I have set the goal of “optimizing and enhancing the effectiveness of the joint operations structure centered on the Joint Staff Office and the Joint Operations Command.”
  　To achieve this goal, I will focus on five HASHIRA, each beginning with the letter “I,” as the foundation for managing our operations.

  Integration	Strengthen coordination within and beyond the Ministry of Defense to enhance cross-domain operational capabilities.
  Interoperability	Deepen cooperation between Japan and the U.S. to reinforce the alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities.
  Inter-connectivity	Recognize the inseparable nature of security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, and promote international partnerships.
  Intensity	Improve the quality and realism of training to enhance integrated defense and joint response capabilities.
  Innovation	Utilize AI, unmanned technologies, and creative approaches to build a flexible and efficient defense force.

  I myself will always keep these five “I”s—Integration, Interoperability, Inter-connectivity, Intensity, and Innovation—in mind and take the initiative in action. Through this, I aim to firmly protect Japan’s peace and independence and build a defense structure that earns the trust of the people.
  　Furthermore, I aspire to shape a Self-Defense Force that possesses both compassion and strength—one that can calmly face any challenge and stand by those in need.
  　I sincerely ask for your continued understanding and support for the activities of the Self-Defense Forces.