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    Forces.

    This year, approximately 400 GSDF members took part

    in the drill, with over 20 aircrat, including a C-130, a

    C-1, and CH-47Js and 53 vehicles including 74 tanks

    and light armored vehicles.

    To begin with, 1,400 meter drops by members o the

    reconnaissance squadron, reconnaissance operation

    by reconnaissance hel icopters and a dr i l l or

    suppression against enemies at a landing site by anti-

    tank helicopters. A rie platoon o 80 members then

    did a drop rom a transport aircrat. They carried out

    simulated combat training such as orming a line o

    deense with a motor unit and blocking an invasion

    by enemy armored orces with gaining support o

    ring rom helicopters.

    Under the ine weather with occasional strong cold

    winds, about 10,000 spectators turned their intent

    looks on the a spectacle o the drill.

    Ater the airdrop drill was over, the members o the

    brigade in ormed lines, Deense Minister Kitazawa

    addressed as ollows:

    Observing the rst drill in this new year by the First

    Airborne Brigade, I eel great pride as Minister o

    Deense in being here today with the members o the

    brigade with high morale and prociency.

    The Ministry o Deense and the Sel-Deense Forcesrequire a ready response to new threats and various

    situations, and the role o the First Airborne Brigade

    with superior maneuverability continues to be vital.

    Much attention tends to be paid to the First Airborne

    Brigades aerial operations, but your operations ater

    landing are also extremely important. I know that you

    have gained the skills necessary or the execution o

    your missions and bui lt up your bodies and

    disciplined your mind through hard training in which

    you oten have to place yourselves in the extremely

    severe situation without any sleep and rest in several

    days.

    I know that the rst airdrop drill is a traditional event

    or the First Airborne Brigade. I hope that you willenhance the First Airborne Brigade which your

    predecessors had built up and devote yourselves to

    training under the command o Major General Nagai

    to live up to the trust and expectations o the public. I

    also wish you all the best in health and achievement.

    On January 10, the 2010 airdrop drill by the First

    Airborne Brigade (Commander: Major General

    Masahiro Nagai) was conducted at the Narashino

    Training Ground. This training event takes place

    annually, and has been open to the public since 1974.

    There were approximately 10,000 spectators this year.

    The drill began at 11 a.m., when CH-47 helicopters

    appeared in the skies over the practice ground. Led by

    the commander Major General Nagai, the commander

    o Special Operation Group, Colonel Aoki, Sta

    Sergeant Hino, the youngest o the brigade, Private

    Kodera and several other soldiers made a 340 meter

    parachute jump.

    Minister o Deense, Toshimi Kitazawa, who had been

    observing the airdrop, then ascended the platorm or

    the review and the airdrop battle drill began,

    observed by senior personnel rom the Sel-Deense

    Forces and the Ministry o Deense, National Diet

    members, and representatives o the United States

    The 2010 airdrop drill by the First Airborne Brigade takes

    place at the Narashino Training Ground, January 10.

    News Flashes

    SpecialPhoto

    2010 March

    No.17The Latest News on the Ministry ofDefense and Self-Defense Forces

    MINISTRYOF

    DEFENSE

    JAPANDEFENSEFOCUSINSIDE :

    The disaster assistance eorts for the Haitiearthquake

    Termination of Replenishment SupportActivities in the Indian Ocean

    Toshimi Kitazawa, Minister o Deense, observing the drill

    The drill takes place under the bright blue sky.

    The airdrop drill was observed by Minister o Deense, Toshimi Kitazawa.

    1MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPANDEFENSE FOCUS / March 2010

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    Current News

    Medical Assistance in HaitiOn January 14, in response to the Haiti earthquake,

    Ministry o Deense dispatched a member o the Sel

    Deense Forces and a Ministry oicial to Haiti as a

    Disaster Relie Investigation Team, together with

    personnel rom the Ministry o Foreign Aairs and the

    Japan International Cooperation Agency. The nextday, January 15, the Minister o Deense, Toshimi

    Kitazawa, ater consultation with the Ministry o

    Foreign Aairs, issued a Disaster relie Team dispatch

    preparation order. Following thie direction, the return

    to Japan o an Air Sel-Deense Force C-130H aircrat

    which had completed training in Arizona, U.S.A., was

    canceled and it was subsequently relocated rom the

    Travis Air Force Base in Caliornia to the Homestead Air

    Force base in Miami, Florida, near the Republic o Haiti.

    The survey team entered the Republic o Haiti on

    January 16, surveyed the Port-au-Prince Airport, and

    began coordinating with related organizations. On

    January 17, it was determined that the airport status

    allowed or sae operating conditions, and Minster o

    Deense K i tazawa gave an order to in i t iate

    transportation. The JSDF C-130H aircrat transported

    the Sel-Deense Forces survey team and medical

    team o Japan International Cooperation Agency to

    Port-au-Prince airport. By its return ight, the C-130H

    aircrat transported the United States citizens and

    others who required emergency evacuation to Miami.

    On January 20, the Minister o Deense ordered the

    dispatch o a JSDF Medical Assistance Team. In

    response, the Ground Sel-Deense Force Middle Army

    Commander ormed a Haiti Disaster Relie Medical

    Assistance Team headed by COL Makoto Shirakawa. The team comprised 40 medical and hygiene

    personnel (including 14 medical ofcers), 60 logistics

    support personnel and about 10 personnel as

    interpreters rom the Ground Sel-Deense Force

    Middle Army Headquarters and the Central Readiness

    Force.

    The Assistance Team departed Narita Airport or Miami

    on a charter light on January 21 and subsequently

    entered Haiti rom Miami by C-130H aircrat. Once on

    station, the team took over the activities o the

    medical team o the Japan International Cooperation

    Agency and support organizations. From January 23,

    they began medical work in Leogane City, on the

    outskirts o the capital, Port-au-Prince. On January 21,

    an ASDF C-130H was dispatched to replace the same

    type o aircrat o the Air Sel-Deense Force Haiti

    Disaster Relie Airlit Unit. The replacement aircrat

    took over the airlit mission between Florida and Haiti.

    Leogane, the base o the Teams activities, was about

    10km west o the quake epicenter, and about 90% o

    the citys buildings were destroyed. There was a

    constant inux o displaced people into Leogane rom

    Port-au-Prince.

    The Team conducted its medical activities rom

    January 23 or 3 weeks. However, the number o

    patients with chronic diseases unrelated to the

    earthquake amounted to over 80% o the total at thattime. Considering other actors such as the reopening

    o local medical establishments, the Minister o

    Deense issued an order or termination o the

    international disaster activities on February 12. Ater

    the termination o medical activities by the Assistance

    Team on February 13, the Japanese Red Cross Society

    took over medical support activities on February 14.Between January 23 and February 13, 2954 people

    were treated.

    Ater termination o their activities, the Team ew by

    C-130H transport to Miami where they boarded a

    special government aircrat and returned to Japan on

    February 18.

    On January 12, (January 13 Japan time), the Republic o Haiti, located in the Caribbean Sea, was

    hit by a magnitude 7 earthquake, with the epicenter about 15km rom Port-au-Prince, the

    capital o the country. As o February 25, the earthquake had claimed about 222,500 lives, about

    310,000 injured persons, and rendered about 2,240,000 people homeless. 59,000 people remain

    missing. O the Haitian Republics total population o 9.61 million, 3.7 million were aected by

    the quake. In total, approximately 100,500 houses were destroyed and 208,000 more were

    damaged.

    The Ministry o Deense/Sel-Deense Forces, in response to the Haitian governments request,

    dispatched the Disaster Relie Medical Assistance Team. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security

    Council adopted a resolution to increase the sta members o the United Nations Stabilization

    Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and in response to the UNs request or cooperation, Sel-DeenseForces Engineer Unit was dispatched to Haiti based on the International Peace Cooperation Law.

    Dispatch of the Disaster Relief Medical Assistance Team

    Damaged houses in Haiti

    Medical Treatment by Medical Assistance Team in Logane

    The International Relie Team to Haiti removing rubble

    The Disaster Assistance Eorts or theHaiti earthquake

    Dispatch of International Disaster Relief Team

    Dispatch of JSDF to MINUSTAH

    2

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    B a c k g r o u n d o t h e P K O U n i tDispatchThe political situation in the Republic o Haiti became

    unstable in 2004. Security had also worsened rapidly,

    leading to the presidents departure rom the country.

    In the same year, the United Nations resolution No.

    1542 established the United Nations StabilizationMission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), to keep the law and order

    o the country.

    The Republic o Haiti suered immense damage rom

    the earthquake, so on January 19, the United Nations

    Security Council, recognizing the seriousness o the

    matter and the necessity o emergency response,

    adopted on a resolution to increase MINUSTAH

    personnel by 3,500 in order to support the speedy

    recovery, reconstruction and stability o the nation.

    Following the adoption o the resolution, the United

    Nations requested countries to rapidly dispatch

    support personnel. Japan decided to provide proper

    cooperation in response to this request to promote our

    human cooperation in the United Nations eorts or

    the international peace in order to take more

    responsibility or the peace and stability in the world.

    Thereore, on January 25, Japan conveyed to the

    Secretariat o the United Nations its intention to

    dispatch a Sel-Deense Forces Engineering Unit. On

    the same day, the Minister o Deense issued an

    instruction or preparations or dispatching the units to

    the Chies o Sta.

    On January 27, a survey team consisting o three

    ofcials rom the Ministry o Deense and International

    Peace Cooperation Headquarters was dispatched to

    the stricken area. On January 29, in response to an

    oicial request or the accelerated dispatch o a Sel-Deense Forces Engineering Unit rom the United

    Nations Secretariat, the government decided to

    increase the size o the survey team. On January 30, an

    additional 11 personnel rom the Ministry o Deense

    and 1 personnel rom the Ministry o Foreign Aairs

    were dispatched. The survey team assessed the state

    o roads and buildings in Haiti, and researched what

    type o equipment and materials were required or

    activities o the Engineering Unit.

    Dispatch o the International RelieTeam to HaitiOn February 5, the Japanese government made a

    c a b i n e t d e c i s i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e P l a n o r

    Implementation o International Peace Cooperation

    Assignment in Haiti. Following this decision, Deense

    Minister Kitazawa issued an Order or Sel-Deense

    Forces Operations or Implementation o International

    Peace Cooperation Assignment in Haiti.

    On the morning o February 6, a ceremony or the

    completion o the ormation o the PKO Unit

    International Relie Team to Haiti composed primarilyo personnel o the JGSDF Central Readiness Regiment

    was held at the Ministry o Deense with attendance

    by about 200 o the initial dispatch personnel rom the

    Unit. On the aternoon o the same day, the

    presentation o the ags o the Unit took place, where

    Deense Minister Kitazawa presented the ags to Unit

    Commander COL. Yamamoto. The presentation

    ceremony at the Ministry o Deense Hall was attended

    by Prime Minister Hatoyama, Minister o Deense

    Kitazawa, the amilies o the Unit members to be

    dispatched, members o the National Diet, and senior

    members o the Ministry o Deense and Sel-Deense

    Forces.

    Prime Minister Hatoyama said As human beings, we

    should help others who are in trouble. I would like you

    to show the presence o Japan to the world, as a

    country that protects human lives. Deense Minister

    Kitazawa also expressed his sincere hope that the unit

    members would contribute to the reconstruction o

    Haiti and the smooth operation o the United Nations

    in Haiti by using their skills acquired in regular training

    and disaster relie operations within Japan, and the

    experience acquired in United Nations peace keeping

    operations in Cambodia, East Timor, and other

    countries. Ater that, the members o the unit

    departed the Ministry o Deense, ater receiving a

    good send-o rom their amily members and guests,and departed rom Narita and Haneda Airports or

    Miami. From Miami, approximately 200 irst-dispatch

    Unit personnel were transported to Haiti via ASDF

    C-130H.

    Commencement o Assistance toReconstructionThe International Relie Team to Haiti was engaged

    mainly in rubble removal and land preparation. These

    tasks required about 150 vehicles (about 40 medium-

    sized bulldozers, hydraulic shovels, etc., about 90

    trucks and trailers, and about 20 light armored

    vehicles) which were transported by an Antonov, a

    large-sized transport aircrat to the neighboring

    Dominican Republic and then overland by vehicles to

    the Sel-Deense Forces Camp to Haiti.

    Outline o the International Relie Team to Haiti is as

    ollows.

    Type: Engineering Unit

    Size:About 350 personnel (including 190 personnel

    o the United Nations, and 160 support personnel o

    Sel-Deense Forces.)

    Equipments: Approx. 150 vehicles

    Weapons: Sel-deense weapons (pistols, small riles,

    machine guns)

    Type of activities:Rubble removal, land preparation

    or suered people camp sites, road repairs, small

    acility construction.Active region: environs o Port-au-Prince

    Time-frame: February 5 2010 November 30, 2010

    (Six months requested by the United Nations plus

    about three months or pulling out).

    The irst dispatched members completed their

    deployment o personnel and equipment by February

    14, and on February 16, started land preparation

    activities in the MINUSTAH-controlled area in the area

    o the Port-au-Prince Airport.

    The rst dispatched members belonged mainly to the

    Central Readiness Regiment which can be rapidly

    deployed in an emergency such as an earthquake to

    engage in recovery operations. Their missions were to

    start engineering works immediately ater arriving at

    Haiti and, concurrently, conduct ground works or a

    unit camp.

    Ater that, the irst dispatched members o the Unit

    were replaced with the approximately 350 second

    dispatched members and the International Relie Team

    to Haiti entered ull engagement in its reconstruction

    mission.

    The second dispatched members, who mainly came

    rom the 5th Brigade and the Northern Engineering

    Corps, was ormed into an engineering unit led by

    COL. Fukunaga. On February 18, Parliamentary Senior

    Vice-Minister o Deense Shimba, Commander oNorthern Army, Lieutenant General Sakai, amily

    members o the Unit members and other guests

    attended a send-o ceremony at Camp Obihiro. The

    second dispatched members departed rom Japan on

    February 24. Their deployment came to an end in late

    March.

    United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) Unit in Haiti

    Prime Minister Hatoyama delivering his words to the International Relie Team to Haiti at the Presentation o the Flag o Unit.

    Minister o Deense Kitazawa presented the ag o unit tounit commander Colonel Yamamoto at the ceremony o thepresentation o the ag o unit.

    Prime Minister Hatoyama shaking hands with ColonelYamamoto, the unit commander o the International Relie

    Team to Haiti.

    I I r 3MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPANDEFENSE FOCUS / March 2010

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    Topics

    001 Deense Minister Kitazawa appointed Mr. Tetsuya Nishimototo the post o special advisor to the Minister o Deense.

    002The Meeting o Directors o Regional Deense Bureau was heldwith attendance by Minister o Deense Kitazawa.

    003The maiden ight o the XC-2 next-generation transport aircratsuccessully completed at the Giu base o the Air Sel DeenseForce.

    o the new administration.

    Mr. Nishimoto is 73 years old, born in 1936, graduated rom the National

    Deense Academy and entered the Ground Sel Deense Force(GSDF) in

    1959. Ater occupying posts such as Vice Chie o Sta, GSDF and

    Commander o the GSDF Middle Army, he became GSDF Chie o Sta in

    March 1992, and then Chairman o the Joint Sta Oice in July 1993. He

    retired rom GSDF in March 1996. When he was GSDF Chie o Sta andChairman o the Joint Sta Oice, he directed the dispatch o a

    600-personnel engineering battalion to the United Nations Transitional

    Authority in Cambodia, which was the rst peacekeeping operations by the SDF.

    Ater the retirement, Mr. Nishimoto became chair o the NPO Japan Mine

    Action Service and engaged in support or the reconstruction o Cambodia

    by the disporsal o unexploded bombs and mines by ormer members o

    the SDF. He is now the chairman o the NPO, The International Strategic

    Synergy Society." From August 1998 to March 2002, he was an advisor to

    the Japan Deense Agency.

    Minister o Deense Kitazawa stated regarding the appointment o Mr.

    Nishimoto that he was a man with extensive experience and great insight.

    We will seek his advices in all matters o regarding deense policy. This year,

    in particular, we have to revise the National Deense Program Guidelines,

    and have the issue the reorm o the Ministry o Deense as a major theme

    o discussion. I would like to avail mysel o Mr. Nishimotos insight or the

    reorm o the Ministry.

    attendance by Deense Minister Kitazawa and Special Advisor to the

    Minister o Deense, Nishimoto. The meeting takes place every year or the

    purpose o reporting on pending issues at each regional bureau, and

    exchanging opinions.

    Deense Minister Kitazawa made an address o instructions, stating the

    regional deense bureaus are engaged in complex and difcult coordination

    with the local entities to promote policies o the Ministry o Deenseincluding the realignment o the U.S. orces, and expressing his

    appreciation or eorts by each director. He also stated, there was no

    dierence between the central oice o the Ministry o Deense and

    Regional Deense Bureaus in importance o missions and gravity o

    responsibilities to protect the peace and security o the people. and

    expressed his hope that the Ministry o Deense and the Sel Deense Forces

    would continue to work on their duties in united manner.

    This was ollowed by reports rom the director o each regional deense

    bureau about major and pending issues and exchange o opinions based on

    them.

    Meeting o Directors o the Regional Deense Bureaus

    Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. at the ASDF Giu Air Base.

    The ight was supported by the airspace surveillance, air trafc control, and

    in-base rescue preparation by the Giu Air Base. The XC-2 took o the base

    at 10:21, its systems were tested, and it returned to base in 1 hour and 10

    minutes.

    C-1 transport aircrat which are currently operated will see the expiration o

    their service lives. The XC-2 is the successor o the C-1, and has been

    developed since 2001 as a domestically manuactured transport aircrat. The

    main specications are as ollows: length: 43.9m, wingspan: 44.4m, height:

    14.2m, and basic takeo weight: 120.1 tons.

    The XC-2 is the latest tactical mid-sized transport aircrat in the world, with a

    y-by-wire control system, the ight control system, and an energy-saving

    cargo unloading system. The amount o transportation, speed andendurance distance o XC-2 are much more than those o C-1.

    The XC-2 is expected to be used in airlit missions in disaster relie

    operations and international peace cooperation activities by the SDF as well

    as in contingencies.

    Successul Maiden Flight o the XC-2, Next-Generation Transport Aircrat

    Former Chairman o the Joint Sta Ofce, Mr. Tetsuya Nishimoto, was appointed asSpecial Advisor to the Minister o Deense

    On January 8, Deense Minister Kitazawa appointed Mr. Tetsuya Nishimoto

    to the post o special advisor to the Minister o Deense ater the

    government approved the appointment. The post o Special Advisors to the

    Minister o Deense was established on August 1 last year at the time o the

    abolition o the advisory structure by Deense Councilors as a part o the

    reorm o the Ministry o Deense. It had been vacant since the inauguration

    On January 14, the rst meeting o Directors o Regional Deense Bureaus

    ater the change o government was held at the Ministry o Deense with

    On January 26, the next-generation transport aircrat, the XC-2, successully

    completed its maiden light conducted by the aircrats manuacturer,

    4

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    The 45th Meeting o the MOD and SDF Senior Personnel was convened at

    the Ministry o Deense on January 13 with presence o the Supreme

    Commander o the Sel Deense Forces, Prime Minister Hatoyama. Deense

    Minister Kitazawa and about 170 senior members o the MOD and SDF were

    in attendance to internally disseminate the policies o the Ministry o

    Deense and exchange opinions on major issues acing the Sel Deense

    Forces.

    Prime Minister Hatoyama arrived at the Ministry o Deense at 10 am beorethe opening o the meeting and received the rst salute rom the guard o

    honor since taking ofce as Prime Minister. The Prime Minister then gave an

    opening address, praising the Sel Deense Forces as saying there is no

    doubt that the SDF has been devoting themselves to protect the lives o

    people. Regarding the expiration on January 15 o the law which

    authorized replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean, he stated,

    there is a dierence o policy on this issue between the government and

    the previous administration, and thereore, all those involved in the

    operations at Indian Ocean will return to Japan. However, we cannot thank

    enough or great eorts by each and every o them. Regarding the

    relationship between Japan and the United States, he expressed his

    thoughts, saying, This year marks the 50th anniversary o the revision o

    the U.S.-Japan Treaty o Mutual Cooperation and Security. I think that it is

    very important to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance. For this reason, we ully

    understand the great importance o this year.

    Deense Minister Kitazawa ollowed by saying, This year will see an overall

    review o the National Deense Program Guidelines, and the ormulation o

    Mid-Term Deense Program. Thereore, I would like all o you to concentrate

    your wisdom on your work to accurately analyze and assess our complex

    and luid security environment and the current status o our deense

    capabilities and actively examine how our deense capabilities should be.

    Following this, Mr. Katsuya Nomura, the ormer manager o the proessional

    baseball team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, delivered a lecture on

    the theme o leadership. In the aternoon, representatives o Japan Maritime

    Sel-Deense Force and Tohoku Deense Bureau made briengs.

    The 45th Meeting o the MOD and SDF Senior Personnel

    Japan-Italy Vice-Ministerial Meeting

    On February 4, Japan-Italy Vice-Ministerial Meeting

    was held in Tokyo. Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister

    o Deense Shimba and other ofcials rom Japan, and

    Under Secretary o State or Deence Guido Crosetto

    and other ofcials rom Italy attended the meeting. It

    was the rst time or a politician at the Italian Ministry

    o Deence to visit Japan ofcially.

    At the meeting, both sides welcomed the opportunity

    to promote real practical and concrete bilateral

    cooperation between the deense authorities and

    shared their view that it was important to deepen

    their relationship.

    The Japanese side explained its system o hosting

    oreign students at the National Deense Academy o

    Japan and at the National Institute or Deense Studies.

    T h e I t a l i a n s i d e e x p r e s s e d i t s d e s i r e t o

    comprehensively strengthen cooperation with Japan

    by such means as exchanges o students. The

    Japanese side highly evaluated Italys anti-piracy

    measures o the coast o Somalia and in the Gul o

    Aden, and the dispatch o units to Aghanistan and

    other commitments to the International peace

    Cooperative Activities..

    Regarding the use o outer space in the ield o

    deense, the Italian side introduced its radar satellites.

    The Japanese side stated its inormation to learn rom

    Italy regarding the development and use o outer

    space in the eld o security.

    The Italian side said that the Euroighter was a

    outstanding aircrat and that Japans introduction o

    this aircrat would have deepened Japans deense

    cooperative relationship with Italy and other European

    countries. Japan responded that nothing had been

    decided yet or the selection o the F-X , and that it

    would thoroughly examine the F-X.

    Both sides conrmed the importance o close bilateral

    cooperation as nations which shared such values as

    reedom, democracy, respect or human rights, and

    the rule o law in the drastically changing international

    situation including the rise o China and India.

    Please receive the JDF e-mail magazine by registering via the online "Japan Deense Focus"

    http://www.mod.go.jp/e/mail/mail.html

    JDF e-mail magazine, subscribable via the online "Japan Deense Focus"

    The 45th Meeting o the MOD and SDF Senior Personnel wasconvened at the Ministry o Deense.004

    Meeting with Foreign Leaders

    Information

    I I r 5MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPANDEFENSE FOCUS / March 2010

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    Termination o Replenishment SupportActivities in the Indian Ocean

    The homecoming ceremony washeld with attendance by PrimeM i n i s t e r H a t o y a m a , D e e n s e

    Minister Kitazawa and numerousgovernment ofcials.

    The last dispatched unit or the replenishment support

    activities, the replenishment ship Mashuu and the

    destroyer Ikazuchi, arrived at Harumi whar on

    February 6 at 10 a.m. Captain Sakai, the Commander

    o the 7th Escort Division, and the ships crew, ormed

    a line in the whar. The homecoming ceremony

    started at 11 a.m. with attendance by Prime Minister

    Hatoyama, Deense Minister Kitazawa, 25 Diet

    Members, senior oicials o the Ministry o Deense,

    diplomats rom countries such as the United States,

    France, Aghanistan, and Pakistan, and amily

    members o the MSDF vessels crew.Captain Sakai said, "In the past eight years, continual

    deployment o MSDF units to the Indian Ocean

    prevented international terrorism and maintained the

    saety o sea lane. Taking lessons rom these activities,

    we will strive to new duty."

    Prime Minister Hatoyama presented a special Prime

    Minister Certiicate and commemorative git to the

    unit, and praised the activities in the past eight years,

    addressing "The dispatched units have shown their

    high operational ability to other nations navies during

    the period o activity. The logistical support or the

    dispatched units was also outstanding. As Prime

    Minister, I am very proud o the proessionalism o the

    Sel-Deense Forces. I would also like to express my

    proound gratitude to the amilies and related persons

    o the personnel o the dispatched units. I would like

    to express the same thanks to the more than 13,000

    personnel who were involved in the activities."

    Deense Minister Kitazawa then addressed "The

    replenishment support activities under severe

    environmental conditions must be very stressul. As

    Minister o Deense, I am very proud o each o you

    who accomplished your missions and saely returned

    to Japan under the command o Captain Ryo Sakai,

    the Commander o the dispatched unit, Captain

    Takashi Shinagawa, the Commanding Oicer o the

    replenishment ship Mashuu and Commander

    Tokihiko Umezaki the Commanding Oicer o the

    destroyer Ikazuchi. I also hereby express my sincere

    and heartelt thanks to other people or the eort and

    understanding to support the dispatched units,

    especially the amily members o dispatched units

    personnel who stayed at home and gave them

    emotional support.

    The Commander in Chie, the Sel-Deense Fleet, Vice-

    Admiral Masahiko Sugimoto, addressed "The activities

    in the Indian Ocean show Japan's active participation

    on its own initiative in the international community's

    eorts to prevent and eradicate international

    terrorism. The replenishment support activities

    undertaken by the Maritime Sel-Deense Force to

    prevent terrorism in the ocean was highly evaluated

    by various countries. Each o you realize it keenly in

    the scene. You took part in the duties which could be

    called historical, and I sincerely hope that you take

    great pride in your duties in which you were involved.

    I also expect all o you to use this valuable experience

    to contribute to your duties in the uture including

    training the unit." He ended his speech with words o

    appreciation to the amily members o dispatched

    units and those who had supported the unit.

    The last unit for Replenishment Support Activities in the Indian

    Ocean returned to Japan.Deense Minister Kitazawa issued an order to terminate replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean

    eective 2400 on January 15 because the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law expired on the same day.

    The order directed the MSDF vessel which had engaged in replenishment support activities to return to Japan.

    The MSDF vessel had supported vessels rom various oreign countries which participated in anti-terrorism

    maritime interdiction operations. Subsequently, the replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean which

    had started in 2001 were terminated. The 7th Replenishment Support Unit perormed thereplenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean

    The Homecoming Ceremony or the Replenishment Support Unit in the Indian Ocean was held with attendance by the DietMembers, senior oicials o the Ministry o Deense, diplomats o countries concerned and the amily members o the

    dispatched unit personnel.

    Prime Minister Hatoyama presented a special Prime Minister Certiicate anda commemorative git to the dispatched unit.

    Ater arriving at Harumi whar, the 7th Replenishment Support Unit personnel lined up on the whar.

    Special Feature

    6

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    CountryRefueling of

    shipsWater supply

    Refuelingof shipboardhelicopters

    USA 353 0 31

    UK 33 0 4

    France 100 0 3

    Germany 29 0 9

    Pakistan 150 128 14

    Canada 43 0 3

    New Zealand 15 0 0

    Netherlands 11 0 0

    Italy 40 0 3

    Spain 10 0 0

    Greece 10 0 0

    Total 794 128 67

    Achievements based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law(December 2001 to October 2007)

    Number o replenishment operations by country

    Amount o replenishment (total)

    Fuel or ships: approximately 490,000 kl

    Water supply: approximately 6,930 tonsFuel or shipboard helicopters: approximately 990 kl

    Total personnel dispatched: 10,900

    Total vessels dispatched

    Replenishment ships: 20

    Destroyers: 37

    Other: 2

    CountryRefuelingof ships

    (approx. kl)

    Water supply(approx.

    tons)

    Refuelingof shipboardhelicopters(approx. kl)

    Pakistan 9,060 4,165 20

    France 3,990 0 5

    Germany 2,190 0 70

    Canada 1,915 10 30

    USA 6,365 0 60

    UK 2,040 20 30

    New Zealand 310 0 0

    Denmark 1,130 0 0

    Total 27,005 4,195 210

    Amounts supplied by country

    Total personnel dispatched: 2,400

    Total vessels dispatched

    Replenishment ships: 7

    Destroyers: 7

    CountryRefueling of

    shipsWater supply

    Refuelingof shipboard

    helicoptersPakistan 64 64 3

    France 28 0 1

    Germany 13 0 4

    Canada 8 1 2

    USA 14 0 4

    UK 13 2 4

    New Zealand 1 0 0

    Denmark 4 0 0

    Total 145 67 18

    Achievements based on the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law(February 2008 to January 15 2010)

    Number o replenishment operations by country

    Achievements o the Replenishment SupportActivities

    From December 2001 to October 2007 (activities based on the Former Anti-

    Terrorism Special Measures Law) and rom February 2008 to January 15, 2010

    (activities based on the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law),

    approximately 510,000 kl o uel or military vessels (total number o

    replenishments: 939), approximately 1,200 kl o uel or shipboard helicopters

    (total number o replenishments: 85), and approximately 11,000 tons o water

    (total number o replenishments: 195) were supplied.The total number o dispatched personnel was approximately 13,300. The total

    number o dispatched replenishment ships was 27. The total number o

    dispatched destroyers was 44.

    History and Overview o SupportActivities

    The maritime replenishment activities in the Indian

    Ocean that ended on January 15 o this year started in

    2001.On September 11, 2001, the 9/11 attacks in U.S.

    occurred by the international terrorist group Al Qaeda.

    On October 7, international orces including U.S.

    personnel began an attack against Al Qaeda and

    Ta l iban a long the nat ional border between

    Aghanistan and Pakistan.

    Japan decided to cooperate in such operations in

    order to contribute to the peace and security o the

    international community. On October 29, 2001, the

    Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law was enacted

    with 2 years duration.

    On November 9, 2001, the destroyers Kurama and

    Kirisame and the replenishment ship Hamana

    departed or the Indian Ocean or an inormation-

    gathering mission. On December 2, the replenishment

    ship Hamana arrived at the Indian Ocean and

    supplied the uel to the USS Sacramento. It was the

    rst MSDF replenishment activity in the Indian Ocean.

    F r o m t h e n o n , S D F c o n d u c t e d m a r i t i m e

    replenishment activities as its main operation,

    supplying vessel uel, uel or embarked helicopters,and water to various countries vessels which engaged

    in anti-terrorism operations.

    Since the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law had a

    two-year duration, the Japanese government

    extended it several times and continued MSDF

    replenishment activity. However, on November 2,

    2007, the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

    expired. Consequently, the replenishment activities

    that had continued or six years came to an end, and

    Minister o Deense gave an order or withdrawing the

    replenishment ship Tokiwa and the destroyer

    Kirisame.

    Ater that, the Replenishment Support Special

    Measures Law which was designed to resume the

    maritime replenishment support activities was

    enacted on January 16, 2008. On January 24, the rst

    unit with the replenishment ship Oumi and the

    destroyer Murasame were dispatched to the Indian

    Ocean under this law and the replenishment support

    activities were resumed to prevent international

    terrorism and maintain the peace and stability o the

    world.Including the suspension o the activities, the

    replenishment activities continued or more than 8

    years. However, the law expired on January 15 and,

    Japan's replenishment support activities in the Indian

    Ocean were terminated ollowing the completion o

    the 7th replenishment mission. (Oumi and the

    destroyer Ikazuchi)

    Overview and Achievements of Replenishment Support Activities inthe Indian Ocean.

    Replenishment support activities by the replenishmentship Towada

    I I r 7MINISTRY OF DEFENSE JAPANDEFENSE FOCUS / March 2010

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    Escort Operarions Perormed by Surace Unit

    December

    1. Number o Escort Operations: 9 (84th -92nd escort

    operation)

    2. Number o escorted vessels: 70 (Accumulated total o 380

    escort vessels since the start o operations under the Anti-

    Piracy Measures Law)

    Breakdown

    Japanese registered ships: 1 (Accumulated total o 3 escortvessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies:

    14 (Accumulated total o 122 escort vessels under the Anti-

    Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships other than above: 55(Accumulated total o

    255 escort vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    January

    1. Number o Escort Operations: 10 (93rd 102nd escort

    operation)

    2.Number o escorted vessels: 82 (Accumulated total o 462

    escort vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    Breakdown

    Japanese registered ships: 1 (Accumulated total o 4 escort

    vessels under Japans Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies:

    18(Accumulated total o 140 escort vessels under the Anti-

    Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships other than above: 63(Accumulated total o

    318 escort vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    February

    1. Number o Escort Operations: 9 (103rd 111th escort

    operation)

    2. Number o escorted vessels: 90 (Accumulated total o 552

    escort vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    Breakdown

    Japanese registered ships: 0 (Accumulated total o 4 escort

    vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies:

    19 (Accumulated total o 159 escort vessels under the Anti-

    Piracy Measures Law)

    Foreign ships other than above: 71(Accumulated total o389 escort vessels under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

    3. Instances o provision o inormation rom MSDF

    destroyers to other nations warships and/or commercial

    ships

    On 19 February, a Japanese helicopter which was based on

    destroyer Takanami was engaged in patrol operations when

    it detected a suspicious boat, heading north, that was located

    more than ten nautical miles o the 109th escort convoy. The

    helicopter visually conrmed that the boat was carrying seven

    people, numerous plastic containers, and a ladder-like thing,

    and the inormation was provided to relevant organizations

    and countries. A oreign ship-based helicopter took over

    surveillance activities and the Japanese helicopter returned to

    destroyer Takanami.

    Activities o P-3C Patrol AircratDecember

    1. Number o ights: 20 (Accumulated total:126)

    2. Flight hours: approximately 150 (Accumulated total:

    approximately 990)

    3. Number o confrmed commercial ships: approximately

    1400 (Accumulated total: approximately 8700)

    4. Number o provision o inormation rom P-3Cs to

    Japanese destroyers, oreign warships, and/or commercial

    ships: approximately 180(Accumulated total: approximately

    820)

    5. Instances o provisions o inormation rom P-3Cs to

    other nations warship and/or commercial ships

    (i) On 11 December, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it detected a suspicious small-sized boat with a ladder-

    like thing. This inormation was provided to oreign warships

    and commercial ships sailing nearby, and a Canadian ship-

    based helicopter and a Portuguese warship that received

    inormation rushed to the suspected boat. The P-3C visually

    conirmed that the ladder had been jettisoned and a cover

    concealing it was olded.

    * Ater that, the Portuguese warship conducted an on-board

    inspection o the boat in question. However, no weapons

    were ound, so the boat was released.

    (ii) On 7 December, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it received a report rom a German warship that a

    commercial ship was allegedly being attacked by pirates. The

    P-3C rushed to the site, but the oreign warship had already

    been responding to the pirates, so it returned to normal

    patrol operations.

    ( i i i) On 29 December, a P-3C was engaged in patrol

    operations when it conirmed a U.K.-registered commercialship, ST. JAMES PARK, had been hijacked by pirates on 28

    December. The P-3C provided the inormation about the

    hijacked ship to relevant organizations and countries.

    January

    1. Number o ights: 20 (Accumulated total:146)

    2. Flight hours: approximately 160 (Accumulated total:

    approximately 1150)

    3. Number o confrmed commercial ships: approximately

    1300 (Accumulated total: approximately 10000)

    4. Number o provision o inormation rom P-3Cs to

    J a p a n e s e d e s tr o y e r s , a n d / o r c o m m e r c i a l s h i p s :

    approximately 210(Accumulated total: approximately 1030)

    5. Instances o provisions o inormation rom P-3Cs to

    other nations warship and/or commercial ships

    (i) On 1 January, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it detected a suspicious ship with a ladder-like thing,towing a small-sized boat. A oreign warship took over

    surveillance activities and the P-3C returned to normal patrol

    operations.

    (ii) On 5 January, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it received inormation rom relevant organization or

    country regarding a suspicious ship. The P-3C went to

    conrm two ships and two boats, but did not nd anything

    particularly suspicious, so reported as such to nearby

    commercial ships and warships.

    (iii) On 16 January, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it received inormation rom relevant organization or

    country regarding an attempted piracy incident. The P-3C

    rushed to the site and conrmed a small ship and a Turkish

    warship pursuing it. Because the Turkish warship had been

    responding to it, the P-3C returned to normal patrol

    operations.

    * According to news reports, the Turkish warship conducted a

    on-board inspection and conscated weapons.

    (iv) On 17 January, a P-3C was engaged in patrol operations

    when it received inormation rom a commercial ship that the

    ship was being under the attack by pirates. The P-3C rushed

    to the site and conrmed a small ship. An Italian ship-based

    helicopter which also had received the same inormation

    rom the commercial ship took over surveillance activities and

    the P-3C returned to normal patrol operations.

    February

    1. Number o ights: 13 (Accumulated total:159)

    2. Flight hours: approximately 100 (Accumulated total:

    approximately 1250)

    3. Number o confrmed commercial ships: approximately

    800 (Accumulated total: approximately 10800)4. Number o provision o inormation rom P-3C to

    Japanese destroyers, oreign warships, and/or commercial

    ships: approximately 130 (Accumulated total: approximately

    1160)

    5. Instances o provisions on inormation rom P-3Cs to

    other nations warship and/or commercial ships

    Nothing particular was reported.

    100 Escort Operations Achieved

    On January 24, the surace unit o the Maritime Sel Deense Force completed its 100th

    escort operation or its anti-piracy measures.

    The destroyers o the 1st surace unit Sazanami and Samidare, began escort activities as

    the Maritime Security Operation under the article 82 o the Sel-Deense Forces Law on

    March 30, 2009, and escorted 121 vessels in 41 operations. The destroyers o the 2nd suraceunit, Harusame and Amagiri, escorted 248 vessels in 34 operations under the Anti-Piracy

    Measures Law which enabled MSDF to provide escort to every civil vessel regardless o

    nationalities. The 3rd surace unit, destroyers Takanami and Hamagiri escorted 193

    vessels in 25 operations. As a result, a total o 562 vessels were escorted in 100 operations.

    Minister o Deense Kitazawa spoke to the commander o the unit, Captain Yasuki Nakahata,

    by videophone, encouraging him by saying I am proud o the high evaluation o Japans

    contribution by your eorts.

    Mr. Koji Miyahara, the president o the Japanese Shipowners Association, delivered a

    message to Ministry o Deense as ollows: Nothing can be more encouraging to the

    commercial ships in this area than the escort activities carried out by the Maritime Sel

    Deense Force. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Maritime Sel Deense

    Force personnel and Japan Coast Guard Oicers who engaged in their duties under

    conditions o high temperature and stress. We pray that you may saely complete your duties.

    Replacement by The 3rd Air Unit

    The 2nd air unit which perormed ight operations was taken over by the 3rd air unit.

    The 3rd air unit, commanded by Commander Masahiko Shimizu, Vice Commander, 2nd Air

    Patrol Squadron, 2nd Fleet Air Wing, composed o about 100 members o the Maritime Sel

    Deense Force, and about 50 personnel mainly rom Central Readiness Force Regiment,

    Ground Sel Deense Force. The 3rd air unit began its mission on February 9.

    Replacement by The 4th Surace Unit

    The 3rd surace unit engaged in anti-piracy measures was replaced by the 4th surace unit

    commanded by Captain Takanobu Minami, the commander o the 6th Escort Division.

    A sending-o ceremony or the 4th surace unit destroyer Oonami (Commanding Ofcer:

    Commander Yukihiko Okubo) was held on January 29 at Yokosuka Base. And another

    sending o ceremony or another 4th surace unit destroyer Sawagiri (Commanding

    Ofcer, Commander Kimio Shibata), also took place on January 30 at Sasebo Base. The two

    destroyers sailed to their destination together.

    The 4th surace unit began the 110th (the 69th under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law) escort

    operation on February 25.

    The Destroyer Oonami o the 4th Surace Unit departed rom Yokosuka Base or o thecoast o Somalia and in the Gul o Aden.

    Defense Policy

    Anti-Piracy Measures of the Coasto Somalia and in the Gul o Aden