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2012 2012 MAR.MAR.

Rescue and Search Operations Transport of Supplies and Personnel Livelihood Support Response to the Nuclear Disaster

Rescue and Search Operations Transport of Supplies and Personnel Livelihood Support Response to the Nuclear Disaster

SPECIAL NUMBER

Cooperation withThe U.S. Forces and Australian Defense Forces

Cooperation withThe U.S. Forces and Australian Defense Forces

INTERVIEWThen Chief of Staff, Joint Staff

Ryoichi Oriki

INTERVIEWThen Chief of Staff, Joint Staff

Ryoichi Oriki

Then Chief of Staff, Joint Staff

Ryoichi Oriki

INTERVIEW

regimental commanding officers in theater receive requests for disaster relief and then respond quickly. This is one area where our two countries differ. Also, SDF is normally in a posture of readiness and can immediately mobilize troops for disaster relief as well as to gather information. We are also always on standby so that we can provide quick initial response. Areas like these are where I feel we may systematically have an edge over other countries.

─ What message would you like to share with members of the international community who provided support?

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for all the help provided immediately after the earthquake. So many chiefs of staff and other military personnel sent us their condo-lences and provided support. I can’t thank them enough. The SDF will continue to remain active in various international cooperation activities. In return for the help that was given to us, we will do whatever we can do.

─ What did you think you should begin with when the Great East Japan Earthquake occured?

Assessing the situation was the first priority: where it occured, how big it was, etc. Right after the quake hit, I went to the operation center immediately to find these things out. Watching the news that had begun, I learned that this was no ordinary quake. That it was going to require a major effort from the SDF was the first thing I thought.

─ What were the difficulties this earthquake brought to you as then Chief of Staff of Joint Staff?

I formed up the SDF’s first Joint Task Force (JTF). At headquarters, we thought about how to support this task force and what functions we would give to it. This was also the first time we worked together with the United States on such a large disaster. The U.S. Forces was quick to arrive with support, and we considered how to undertake this operation smoothly. Probably the biggest challenge this time was the fact that we had to work in radioactive conditions. As the Chief of

Staff, it was my job to not only achieve my mission but to also ensure the safety of fellow SDF members. Having to achieve both of these goals was very difficult.

─ What are your thoughts in looking back on Operation Tomodachi?

The U.S. Forces has my heartfelt gratitude for its quick response. I believe the success of this operation was due to a combination of the Japan –U.S. Alliance we have had for half a century and the interpersonal relationships we have developed, not to mention the training we have done together and organizational ties we have formed. I believe the U.S. government saw the situation as a terrible disaster that befell to an important ally. Being able to work with the U.S. Forces in Operation Tomodachi was a symbol of the strong alliance our countries share.

─ What were the difficulties involved in the support received from other countries, including Australia?

We received help in the form of supplies and other things from the militaries of the U.S., Australia, and various other

nations. Australia assisted with transport missions in C-17 transport planes, and right away we began receiving warm support from countries like Canada and Korea through letters of condolence and other means. Deciding how and where to use the support offered by these countries was not easy, but I feel that everything worked out rather well. Whether we are talking about domestic or international dispatches, a single country cannot manage all disaster relief operations on its own. Going forward, we will now need to utilize the experience gained from this crisis and think about how we can cooperate with other countries and offer effec-tive support to others.

─ What are the differences between the activities performed by the SDF and other countries' militaries?

I think all countries are different when it comes to systems related to disaster relief as well as the approaches to these initiatives. To compare Japan with the U.S., for example, it could be said that the SDF conducts duties performed by both the National Guard and the Federal Forces. In Japan,

3MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012 2 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012

Rescue and Search OperationsThe Great East Japan Earthquake led to a gigantic tsunami that swept over a vast area, resulting in many isolated settlements and missing persons centered around the coastal area. As such, with lifesaving operations as their number one priority, the SDF dedicated their efforts to the search and rescue of those affected.

Rescue OperationsWith the survival rate of those affected decreasing as time passes, the SDF rescued many people from houses that collapsed from the earthquake or drifted away with the tsunami. They utilized helicopters to conduct rescue operations in isolated settlements, while utilizing vessels in the coastal area. Of the roughly 27,000 people who were rescued in total, approximately 70% or about 19,000 people were rescued by the SDF.

Search OperationsAs time elapsed from the date of the earthquake, the SDF shifted priority from rescue to the search for missing persons and continued their operations. Search operations were carried out using boats in areas flooded by the tsunami and land subsidence as well as in coastal waters. In the extreme cold, the SDF searched for missing persons even in waist-deep waters. The SDF found and recovered approximately 60% (approx. 9,500 bodies) of the total bodies (approx. 16,000 bodies).

Supplies were collected at SDF camps and other locations across Japan. Relief supplies, including drinking water, food, and daily necessities, were transported to evacuation centers in the affected areas. SDF personnel also engaged in transport operations that heeded to the detailed needs of the areas. For example, SDF personnel directly allocated and delivered the supplies to the elderly and to evacuation centers in areas where the roads were too narrow for transport vehicles to enter. Furthermore, primarily in isolated areas, the SDF conducted transport opera-tions for medical purposes, including the dispatch of medical officers using rescue helicopters, the airlifting of medical supplies, and the transport of patients.

Transport of Supplies and Personnel

SDF medics providing medical support

Search operations by boat

Rescue operations by helicopter

A female SDF personnel listening to the requests of disaster victims

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES OF THE SDF

Assessment of Local Needs Amid the prolonged stay of those affected in evacuation centers and elsewhere, where even privacy is hard to be secured, the SDF conducted needs assessment to allow for the provision of supplies tailored to the needs of the affected people.

Pilots and crew asked about the supplies in shortage, which were then provided in the next round of delivery. In addition, female SDF personnel from the helicopter units provided support that was tailored to the specific requests of women.

t around 2:46pm on March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck off the coast of Sanriku in the Tohoku region. It was the largest earthquake recorded in the history of

Japan. The earthquake caused widespread destruction in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures, and the tsunami devastated areas along the coastline. Furthermore, there was damage to the nuclear reactors and other facilities at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, leading in turn to the leakage of radioactive materials. The earthquake was unprecedented in scale and in nature. The MOD and SDF set up the Disaster Response Headquar-ters in MOD at 2:50pm on March 11. On the same day, the Minister of Defense ordered the Large-scale Earthquake Disas-ter Relief Dispatch at 6:00pm and the Nuclear Disaster Relief Dispatch at 7:30pm. By March 14, a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising Ground, Maritime, and Air SDF units was established. The SDF took immediate action after the earthquake, mobilizing at most 107,000 personnel, 540 aircraft, and 59 vessels. The SDF performed a broad array of activities, ranging from search and rescue of missing persons; relief efforts, including the provision of food, bathing facilities, and medical care; debris removal for the clearance of roads; transport of relief supplies; to watering, decontamination, and monitoring support in response to the nuclear power station accident. The JTF was dissolved on July 1, and from August 31 the SDF conducted activities under the normal Disaster Dispatch order. Then Defense Minister Kitazawa stated that never in the past more than 65 years since the end of World War II has the distance between the Japanese people and the SDF been so close and the people’s trust in the SDF so high, and applauded the hard work of the SDF personnel.

Great East Japan Earthquake and SDF’s ActivitiesGreat East Japan Earthquake and SDF’s Activities

Largest operation since the SDF’s establishment (JTF comprising GSDF/MSDF/ASDF: Approx. 107,000 person-nel in total)Two-dimensional response for earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accidentFirst ever summoning of SDF Reserve and Ready Reserve Self-Defense personnelClose coordination between the SDF, U.S. Forces, and Austra-lian Forces

Largest earthquake recorded in Japanese history (magnitude 9.0)Extensive coastal damage caused by 40.5m-high tsunamiVast disaster area spanning from Tohoku to Kanto regionsMany local governments unable to function due to catastrophic damageAccident at Fukushima nuclear power station

Characteristics of the Earthquake

Characteristics of the SDF’s Activities

ASituation in the disaster area

Total The transition of the SDF deployment GSDF MSDF ASDF

Organized The Joint Task Force (MAR. 14)

GSDF posture shifted(MAY. 15)GSDF posture shifted(MAY. 15)

Reached 100,000 personnel (MAR. 18)

Approx. 70,000 GSDF personnelApprox. 70,000 GSDF personnel

Approx. 22,000 ASDF personnel; Approx. 230 aircraft

MAR.11 Initial mobilizationApprox. 8,400 personnel; 190 aircraft

Approx. 14,000 MSDF personnel; Approx. 50 vesselsApprox. 14,000 MSDF personnel; Approx. 50 vessels

MAR.11

MAR.21

MAR.31

APR.10

APR.20

APR.30

MAY.10

MAY.20

MAY.30

JUN.9

JUN.19

JUN.29

JUL.9

JUL.19

JUL.29

AUG.8

AUG.18

AUG.28

SEP.7

SDF posture shifted (MAY. 10)

SEP.17

SEP.27

OCT.7

OCT.17

OCT.27

NOV.6

NOV.16

NOV.26

DEC.6

DEC.16

DEC.26

ASDF posture shifted(MAY. 11)ASDF posture shifted(MAY. 11)

MSDF posture shifted(MAY. 10)MSDF posture shifted(MAY. 10)

Maximum deployment/day

Personnel： 107,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

Aircraft： 540Vessels： 59

Broke away the JTF (JUL. 1)

Withdrawal request from Iwate Prefecture (JUL. 26)

Withdrawal request from Miyagi Prefecture (AUG. 1)

Withdrawal request from Fukushima Prefecture (DEC. 20)Withdrawal request from Fukushima Prefecture (DEC. 20)

Terminated the large-scale earthquakedisaster relief dispatch (AUG. 31)

Conclusion of Nuclear Disaster Relief Dispatch ordered (DEC. 26)

Termination of livelihood support in Fukushima Prefecture (SEP. 9)Termination of livelihood support in Fukushima Prefecture (SEP. 9)

Decontamination of central areas(DEC. 7 - 19)

March 18 - May 9 Approx. 106,000 personnel; Approx. 500 aircraft ; Approx. 50 vessels

5MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012 4 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012

The MOD and the SDF have conducted decontamination operations in the Deliberate Evacuation Area and the Emergency Evacuation-Prepared Area near Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fuku-shima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Residents are still unable to return to their homes in these areas due to radioactive materials emitted from the nuclear power station. Dedicated work is continued to make these places safe to live once again as early as possible.

Due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the ensuing tsunami, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station suffered damage in the nuclear reactors and other facilities, resulting in the issuance of a Declaration of a Nuclear Emergency Situation. Shortly after this, the head of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters (Prime Minister) requested the dispatch of the SDF to the disaster site, upon which the Minister of Defense ordered Nuclear Disaster Relief Dispatch. Following this, water spraying operations were started at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, using helicopters owned by the GSDF and fire trucks owned by the GSDF and the ASDF. Given the high human health risk posed by radiation, the members of the SDF involved in the operation wore protective suits and equipped the floors of helicopters with lead panels, along with other safety measures. They worked courageously to cool the reactors in face of the danger.

Operation of decontamination depots

As many as nine decontamination depots were established at one time in the vicinity of the nuclear power station, to conduct decontamination opera-tions as well as radiation checks for residents and SDF members.

Decontamination of Key Places by the SDF

The SDF conducted decontamination operations at four municipal offices of Iitate Village, Namie Town, Tomioka Town, and Naraha Town in Fuku-shima Prefecture, in order to create safe centers for reconstruction and develop an environment that enables residents living away from home to return at an early stage.

Date: December 7-19, 2011Units mobilized (Approx. 900 personnel in total): GSDF Northeastern Army 6th Division (44th Infantry Regiment, 6th Artillery Regiment, etc.)Operation detail:Washing with high-pressure water jetting, removal of lawn and surface soil, cleaning of ducts, etc.

Decontamination Assistance

Water spraying operation by the SDFWater spraying operation by the SDF

GSDF personnel conducting decontamination operations

Helicopters flying to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station for water-dropping operations

Water being sprayed from a fire truck

Dropping of water by helicopters

Date: March 17, 2011Target: Unit No.3 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power StationVehicle: Two CH-47 helicopters (each helicopter dropped water twice)Volume of water discharged: Approx. 30 tons

Four water spraying operations were con-ducted using SDF fire trucks

March 17-18, 2011Target: Unit No.3 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power StationVolume of water discharged: Approx. 80 tons

March 20-21, 2011Target: Unit No.4 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power StationVolume of water discharged: Approx. 252 tons

Spraying of water by fire trucks

RESPONSE TO THE NUCLEAR DISASTER

Livelihood SupportLivelihood SupportIn response to the wide-ranging needs of the affected people living in challenging environments, livelihood support was provided in the disaster area to enable people to lead as healthy lifestyles as possible. At most, about 200 water supply locations, about 100 food supply facilities, and about 35 outdoor bathing facilities were set up.

Bathing Facilities Bathing facilities using the GSDF’s outdoor bathing sets were installed. In addition, the bathing facilities at Matsushima Air Base, Hachinohe Air Base, and other locations, as well as the bathrooms in destroyers and transport vessels, were opened up to those affected. Shower sets were also made available with the support of the U.S. Forces. The bathtubs were equipped with step ladders for people needing assistance. Furthermore, places to mingle with others after taking bath were also created within the facility with baby beds and drink service. This was enjoyed by the people, who had been unable to bathe for days.

The SDF removed debris and allowed vehicles to travel the roads to ensure the smooth transport of supplies to the disaster area, while searching for missing persons in collapsed houses and other places. (Length of cleared roads: Approx. 322km)

Debris Removal and Road Clearance

Bathing Facilities

Along Okaido Elementary School's fenceBack of the school building

After After

Before Before

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES OF THE SDF

7MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012 6 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012

8 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JDF / MAR. 2012

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The U.S. Forces and Australian Defense Forces provided full support for the transport of SDF units from their bases in Hokkaido and Okinawa to the disaster areas for the provision of relief. The Royal Australian Air Force’s C-17 transport aircraft airlifted 75 rescue personnel and 2 search dogs from Australia. In Japan, the aircraft then transported relief supplies and equipment, including pumps for the containment of the nuclear power station accident.

Recovery of Sendai Airport The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army cleared rubble from Sendai Airport to allow for the flights of private carriers.

Restoration of train service: “Operation Soul Train”For the swift restoration of the JR Senseki Line that had suspended service in areas devastated by the tsunami, the U.S. Army and SDF jointly cleared rubble from tsunami-affected train stations and their vicinities.

Cultural exchange: “Sakura Class”U.S. Forces personnel offered English and cultural exchange classes at an elementary school in Ishinomaki City.

March 16-18The landing ship of the U.S. Forces, the USS Tortuga, assisted with the transport of the Hokkaido-based GSDF 5th Brigade.・236 personnel・93 vehicles

March 17-19The U.S. Forces and the Australian Defense Forces’ C-17 transport aircraft assisted with the transport of the Okinawa-based GSDF 15th Brigade.・115 personnel・68 vehicles

Japan’s ally, the U. S., dispatched large number of the U.S. Forces personnel, approx. 16,000, under “Operation Tomodachi ” . Admiral Walsh, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, arrived in Japan shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake and immediately took charge of the relief efforts. Under his command, the U.S. Forces provided a variety of assistance, including for search and rescue efforts, the transport of supplies and person-nel, and the recovery and reconstruction of the disaster areas. During its peak, approxi-mately 140 aircraft and 15 vessels executed the Operation.

Activities of the U.S. Forces

COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. FORCES AND AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE FORCES

U.S. Forces and Australian Defense Forces Assist with the Transport of SDF Units

An English class being given by of the U.S. Forces members

Royal Australian Air Force

Operation Soul Train