17th Tokyo Defense Forum17th Tokyo Defense Forum

Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense NagashimaMeets with U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary CarterParliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense NagashimaMeets with U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary CarterJapan–India Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue,and Japan–India Defense Policy DialogueJapan–India Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue,and Japan–India Defense Policy DialogueFY2012 Maritime Self-Defense Force Overseas TrainingCruise Returns to JapanFY2012 Maritime Self-Defense Force Overseas TrainingCruise Returns to Japan

Japan–Australia DefenseCooperation and ExchangesJapan–Australia DefenseCooperation and Exchanges

Commemorative Event for the Anniversaryof the Japan Self-Defense Forces2012 FLEET REVIEW

Commemorative Event for the Anniversaryof the Japan Self-Defense Forces2012 FLEET REVIEW

Commemorative Event for the Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces “2012 Fleet Review”

No. 35DEC. 2012

ACTIVITIES

The training vessels “Kashima” and “Shimayuki,” and the destroyer “Matsuyuki” returned to Japan on October 22. The three vessels had departed Japan on May 22 this year and visited 14 ports in 14 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, and East Africa, as part of FY2012 MSDF Overseas Training Cruise. At the event held to commemorate their return to Japan, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Miyajima and MSDF Chief of Staff Kawano addressed the junior officers. The trainee officers that have completed the training voyage have embarked on their next assigned posts. There were scenes of joyous reunion at the quay as officers met their families and played with their children for the first time in a long while.

FY2012 Maritime Self-Defense ForceOverseas Training Cruise Returns to Japan

On October 22, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Kanazawa and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki from Japan, and Defence Secretary Sharma and Foreign Secretary Mathai from India, attended the second Japan-India Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue in Tokyo. At the discussion, the vice-ministers exchanged views on the security environment surrounding Japan and India, security policies in the two countries, and cooperation in security. They concurred on further strengthening bilateral tie and coopera-tion with a focus on security issues such as anti-piracy measures off the Coast of Somalia and in Asia. They also assented to continue a close exchange of views in new areas, such as cyberspace. Following the discussion, Mr. Kanazawa and Mr. Sharma held their third Defense Policy Dialogue. In this dialogue, they discussed defense cooperation and exchange between Japan and India, and reached an agreement to further strengthen ties between the two defense ministries. The agreement also includes ensuring the stable continuation of high-level exchanges. Delegates from both sides regarded the bilateral exercise highly, which was conducted jointly between the MSDF and the Indian Navy in June this year, and concurred on the importance of cooperation in maritime security.

Japan–India Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue,and Japan–India Defense Policy Dialogue

Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Kanazawa shaking hands withDefence Secretary Sharma

The second Japan–India Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue

Long-awaited reunion between father and children

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Miyajima addressing the officers

Training vessel “Kashima” entering port

roles, missions, and capabilities (RMC) of both Japan and U.S. in light of new developments in the security environ-ment, and to carry out the necessary research and discus-sions on the Guidelines for U.S.–Japan Defense Coopera-tion. With respect to the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan, the two sides reaffirmed the need to continue putting their utmost efforts into initiatives, in order to ensure the steady implementation of items agreed upon under the Joint Declaration issued at 2+2 meeting in April this year.

On November 9, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Nagashima met with Deputy Defense Secretary Carter at the United States Department of Defense. During the meeting, they exchanged views on issues such as the Japan–U.S. Alliance, incidents involving American soldiers in Okinawa, Japan–U.S. security and defense cooperation, and the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan. In particular, with regard to Japan–U.S. security and defense cooperation, they agreed that it would contribute to strengthening the Alliance to advance discussions on the

Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense NagashimaMeets with U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Carter

17th Tokyo Defense Forum17th Tokyo Defense Forum

The Ministry of Defense hosted the 17th Tokyo Defense Forum (Forum for Defense Authorities in the Asia-Pacific Region) on October 31 and November 1 in Tokyo. The Tokyo Defense Forum, launched in 1996, is an annual international conference organized by the Ministry of Defense. It is chaired by the Director General for Interna-tional Affairs, Bureau of Defense Policy, and attendees are defense officials (Director General level) from the countries participating in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). At the Forum, delegates exchange views on defense policy and other subjects of mutual interest, with the aim of deepening mutual understanding and enhancing transparency between the participating countries. The 17th Forum was chaired by Director General for International Affairs Kazuo Sunaga. Based on the themes of “Security in the Asia Pacific—The Growing Weight of the Region and the Progress in Shaping Regional Architecture” and “Peacekeeping Operations—Future Challenges and Cooperation,” delegates from the participating countries

made presentations and engaged in discussions from the perspective of regional security. The discussion topics covered the role of regional security frameworks such as the ARF and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), and cooperation in peacekeeping operations. In addition to defense officials from 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region (see Note), delegates from the European Union (EU) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also attended the Forum.

(Note) Australia, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Canada, India, Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, New Zealand, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Singapore, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Kingdom of Thailand, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, United States of America, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Chairman of the Forum, Director General for International Affairs,Kazuo Sunaga

Defense Minister Morimoto delivering the opening remarks

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MEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERSMEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS

A4. At the 4th Japan–Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (Japan–Australia (2+2)) held in Sydney in September 2012, the two countries confirmed further expanding of defense cooperation based on the achievements of the ACSA and the Information Security Arrangement (ISA), which was signed in May 2012, and the importance to share a common vision and objectives described in the Joint Statement. Furthermore, they agreed to coordinate in a closer manner in such fields as interna-tional cooperation and disaster relief operations, and further trilateral efforts including a Japan–U.S.–Australia defense ministerial meeting and joint training, while recognizing the

Q4. What are the action plans in the future?

A5. In recent years, trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and Australia has been increasing. Japan and Australia are both allied with the United States, and share fundamental values. They cooperate closely in order to resolve the various challenges that the Asia-Pacific region and the international community are facing. In order to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of such cooperation, it is important that trilateral cooperation be promoted among Japan, Australia and the United States, whose presence is indispensable for regional peace and stability. In June 2007, the first Japan–U.S.–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting was held, taking advantage of the

Q5. How is the trilateral relation among Japan, the United States and Australia?

A6. In July 2011, the GSDF Chief of Staff and the Austra-lian Chief of Army agreed to promote future joint training by dispatching observers to each other’s joint training with the U.S. military, with the objective of strengthening relations among Japan, the United States and Australia. In February 2012, an observer from the Australian Army was accepted for the first time at the joint Japan–U.S. com-mand post exercise, which was held between the GSDF regional army and the U.S. Army. In June 2012, joint training exercises were carried out for the fifth time by Japan, the United States and Australia

Q6. Are there any cooperation and exchanges between units?

importance of engagement by the United States in the Asia-Pacific region from the viewpoint of peace and stability in the region. At the Japan–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo in September 2012, the two ministers discussed such issues as cooperation and personnel exchanges in the field of capacity-building support programs in the Asia-Pacific region, coordination through the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting –Plus (ADMM-plus), the importance of supporting ASEAN nations in the field of maritime security and technical cooperation concerning equipment.

opportunity of the 6th Shangri-La Dialogue, through which the Defense Ministerial Meeting three countries agreed to pursue continued cooperation trilaterally. Furthermore, at the 11th Shangli-La Dialogue in June 2012, the 2nd Japan–U.S.–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting (attended by then Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Watanabe) was held and the Joint Statement by the Japan–U.S.–Australia Defense Leaders was issued for the first time, in which the three participants agreed to deal with diverse security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, based on the cooperative relationship established among the three countries.

involving the MSDF, the U.S. Navy and the Royal Austra-lian Navy. In January 2011, the Royal Australian Air Force dispatched an observer for the first time to the Japan-United States bilateral training “Cope North Guam” by the ASDF and the U. S. Air Force. Followed by this, in February 2012, “Cope North Guam” was executed in Guam with the participation of the ASDF, the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force for the first time.

Japan–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting (Tokyo)

Japan–U.S.–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting

Japan–Australia (2+2) (Sydney)

A2. The Japanese and Australian Prime Ministers released the Japan–Australia Joint Declaration on Security Coopera-tion, which was the first such joint declaration in the realm of security with a country other than the United States, in March 2007. Defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Australia have been making steady progress since then and have now reached the stage of more concrete and practical cooperation.

Q2. What is the history of defense cooperation and exchanges with Australia?

A3. At the third Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (2+2) in May 2010, the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and its Procedural Arrangement were signed. With the conclusion of the Japan–Australia ACSA, on such occasions as PKO and international disaster relief operations where the SDF and Australian Forces are involved, the reciprocal provision of supplies and services such as water, food, fuel, and transport is possible on site, through which the Japan–Australia strategic partnership is further facilitated and consolidated. Furthermore, such facilitated and strengthened coopera-tion between Japan and Australia is expected to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, while also being conducive to fostering international order through cooperation.

Q3. Tell us about the specific efforts and achievements.

Japan–Australia Defense Cooperation and ExchangesQ1. What is the significance of the defense cooperation and exchanges with Australia?

A1. Australia is an important partner for Japan in the Asia-Pacific region: Japan and Australia are allies of the United States and share not only fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and capitalist economies, but also strategic stakes and interests in the security field.

In particular, the norm by which different countries should work in concert to address global challenges has been becoming widespread in the international community. Therefore, as responsible countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan and Australia are strengthening mutual coop-eration focused primarily on areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities.

Deepening Japan–Australian Defense Cooperation

I. Defense Exchanges II. Cooperation in International Peace Cooperation Activities

High-level Exchanges Unit-to-Unit Exchanges

Multilateral Consultations

Mil-to-Mil Consultations Research Exchanges

1. Cambodia PKO (92.09 - 93.09)

2. East Timor PKO (02.02 - 05.06)

3. Iraq Reconstruction and Assinstance Activities (03.12 - 09.02)

4. International Disaster Relief Activities in Pakistan (flood) (10.08 - 10.10)

5. South Sudan PKO (12.01 - )Student Exchanges

Japan–Australia

Background

First defense bilateral declaration with a non-ally partner Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (Mar 2007)

Deepened Defense Cooperation

Affirmed enhancement of security cooperation (Counter-terrorism, disarmament and counter-proliferation of WMD,peace operations, strategic assessments and exchange of related information, etc.)

Develop an action plan to advance security cooperationStrengthen the dialogue between Defense and Foreign Ministers respectively on an annual basisEnhance joint Defense and Foreign Ministry Dialogue (inc regular ministerial 2+2 Dialogue)

JPN–AUS “2+2”

Strengthened JPN–US–AUS trilateral cooperation Stronger Cooperation in PKO and HA/DRExpanded joint exercises

Cooperation in Equipment and Technology-related field

JPN–AUS ACSA signed in May 2010 Info Security Agreement signed in May 2012

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R ES P E C I A L F E AT U R E

2012FLEET REVIEW2012FLEET REVIEW

Commemorative Event for the Anniversaryof the Japan Self-Defense ForcesCommemorative Event for the Anniversaryof the Japan Self-Defense Forces

Prime Minister,Yoshihiko Noda, returning the salute by placing his hand the chest Helicopter destroyer “Ise”

Amphibious and rescue plane US-2

Submarine surfacing maneuvers

U.S. Navy Aegis cruiser “USS Shiloh”

SH-60K patrol helicopter

Shortly after noon, the Review commenced with the appearance of the state-of-the-art destroyer “Akizuki” leading as the flagship, followed by the 25 vessels and the three foreign vessels participating for celebrations. Mr. Noda, along with Mr. Morimoto, Mr. Nagashima, Mr. Oono, MSDF Chief of Staff Kawano, Commander-in-Chief of the Self-Defense Fleet Matsushita, and other senior officials, inspected the passing vessels from a reviewing stand set up on the bridge of the destroyer “Kurama.” The troops under review saluted the reviewing officers with manning the rails: a ceremonial assembling of the ship’s crew on deck. In response, Mr. Noda returned the salute by placing his hand on the chest. The reviewed naval troops consisted of the state-of-the-art helicopter destroyer “Ise,” the new type submarine “Kenryu,” and the latest minesweeper “Enoshima” from the minesweeping unit. Finally, the three foreign vessels—the frigate “HMAS Sydney (IV)” from the Royal Australian Navy, the landing ship “RSS Persistence” from the Singapore Navy, and the U.S. Navy Aegis cruiser “USS Shiloh” carrying Com-mander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Scott Swift-sailed in celebration of the event. Vice Admiral Swift saluted the reviewing officers from the “USS Shiloh,” impressing how deep Japan–U.S. ties are on people ofboth countries. Next, the air forces were reviewed with the UP-3C patrol aircraft taking the lead. Due to the bad weather conditions, some of the aircraft were unable to participate. Nevertheless, participating aircraft came from behind the reviewing forces, and aircraft including the SH-60K patrol helicopter, UH-60J rescue helicopter, MCH-101 mine-sweeping helicopter, and MH-53E minesweeping helicop-ter flew past the spectators.

he practice of naval review is said to originate in 1341 during the Anglo-French war, when King Edward III surveyed the majesty of his fleets in

leading them out on missions. In Japan, the Fleet Review began in 1868 with the military review held off Tempozan coast in Osaka when the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) welcomed the Emperor Meiji. The military strength at the time had consisted of only six vessels, totally weighing 2,452 tons. The expres-sion “Fleet Review” was first used in the fourth large-scale fleet review exercises held on the Kobe coast in 1900. The 19th Fleet Review, which was the last for the IJN, was held on the Yokohama coast in 1940. This final Review had been a grand affair in which 98 vessels weighing 596,000 tons and 527 aircraft participated. The MSDF holds Fleet Review every three years as part of the commemorative events for the Anniversary of the SDF. The first Fleet Review was held in 1957. This year marks the 27th convention of the event, which was held at Sagami Bay on October 14. Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, reviewed as chief inspector the Fleet of 45 vessels, 30 aircraft, and approxi-mately 8,000 personnel. Three foreign vessels also joined the events. Although some of the flight events were cancelled due to bad weather conditions, members of the Diet, ambassadors to Japan, and military officers, as well as the public observed the event on vessels. On the day of the Review, the destroyer “Kurama” departed from Yokosuka a little after 9:00 a.m. and headed for Sagami Bay. The vessel carried Defense Minister Morimoto, who was the host of the event, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Nagashima, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Oono, and Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Kanazawa, MSDF Chief of Staff Kawano, who were responsible for the implementation of the event, Chief of Joint Staff Iwasaki, GSDF Chief of Staff Kimizuka, and ASDF Chief of Staff Kataoka, as well as invited guests. At slightly past 11:00 a.m., the SH-60K patrol helicopter carrying the Prime Minister landed on the destroyer “Kurama,” which had passed the Uraga Channel on Tokyo Bay. The Prime Minister received a salute from a special guard of honor on the destroyer “Kurama.”

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T O P I C ST O P I C S

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The display exercises commenced with firing salutes from the destroyer “Hatakaze” and “Shirane.” This was followed by tactical maneuvers conducted by the destroyer “Takanami,” “Oonami” and “Harusame,” the surfacing maneuvers of submarines “Isoshio” and “Wakashio” as well as the simultaneous launch of two helicopters mounted on the helicopter destroyer “Ise.” The maneuvers also included the high-speed navigation of the LCAC and the high-speed navigation of the patrol forces “Shirataka” and “Kumataka,” as well as the firing of the IR decoy by the two patrol forces. After that, the review moved on to a display from the air forces. The blast of a anti-submarine bomb from a P-3C created tall sprays of water with roar. Next, an oncoming P-3C fired an IR flare. Finally, the amphibious search and rescue plane US-1A and US-2 came in at low speeds and landed on the water surface, and took off again amidst sprays of water. All the display exercises ended at around 1:30 p.m.

After the conclusion of the Fleet Review, the chief inspector Mr. Noda delivered his address on the flight deck of the destroyer “Kurama.” He made three demands of the forces: to further enhance their capabilities, to have courage in engaging in valiant actions, and to spread the “bonds of trust.” Finally, he read the “GOSEI”-five self- examinations for each day that tells Japanese naval traditions. Mr. Noda also said in his address, “I believe that every one of you will take these ‘GOSEI’ into heart and will fulfill your noble mission to protect our country. I further believe that you remain true to the hearts of the people of Japan and will continue to be the brave with tender mind.” As part of the publicity events for the Fleet Review, the exhibition of vessels and the full dressing of ships were held at the ports of Yokosuka, Yokohama, and Kisarazu. The ships were also lit up at night, filling the ports with colorand excitement.

P-3C firing IR flares View of the deck

Scene of the full dressing of ships View of the ships decorated with lights at night

T O P I C S

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