Sochi Winter Olympic Games

Transcription

1 No. 49 FEB TOPICS Sochi Winter Olympic Games SPECIAL FEATURE Q&A on Japan s National Security Strategy, National Defense Program Guidelines and Mid-Term Defense Program Defense Minister Onodera Visits India and France Visits to Singapore and Australia by Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Concept of FY 2014 Budget Approval Request of Public Water Body Reclamation for the Futenma Replacement Facility Construction Project (Approval of Public Water Body Reclamation) SDF Support for Displaced People and Provision of Ammunition in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan Measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden Naming and Launch Ceremony for 23MSC Hatsushima

2 ACTIVITIES TOPICS SDF SDF Support Support for for Displaced Displaced People People and and Provision Provision of of Ammunition Ammunition in in the the United United Nations Nations Mission Mission in in the the Republic Republic of of South South Sudan Sudan SDF Competitors in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games The security situation in South Sudan has seriously deteriorated since the first gunshot was confirmed in the city of Juba late on December 5, 2013 (local time). Amid such situation, it turned out that the ROK engineer unit in Bor, Jonglei State didn t have enough ammunition to protect themselves and the local people evacuating in the same camp. To help the ROK unit out of this situation, the UN asked the Japanese engineer unit to consider providing some of its bullets it had in stock. Considering the fact that among the UNMISS units, only Japanese engineer unit possessed the bullets compatible with lacking ones, the Government of Japan concluded that their refusal would risk the lives and limbs of ROK units and the IDPs. For this reason, the government responded to the request from the UN and provided 10,000 bullets to them at no cost. Given the urgent necessity and high degree of humanitarian aspect of the situation, the chief cabinet secretary of Japan has issued a statement that the Three Principles on Arms Exports do not apply to this case, with the provision of the bullets being implemented under the framework of Contribution in kind stipulated in Article 25 of the Interna- tional Peace Cooperation Law. On January 16, 2014, the 10,000 bullets were returned to the Japanese engineer unit after the ROK unit replenished their own bullets. Though Japanese engineer unit (approx.400 personnel) has been suspending its activities outside the camp, it is now conducting activities to support IDPs at the UN facilities located in Juba, based on a request from UNMISS. Specifically, the engineer unit has been engaging in the construction of IDP camps and peripheral fences at the UN House and UN Ton ping area. S econd Lieutenant Keishin Yoshida, Cross-Country skier, has been elected as a cross-country skiing competitor in the Sochi Olympic Games. Also, first Lieutenant Hidenori Isa, Sergeant First Class Miki Kobayashi, Sergeant Fuyuko Suzuki, Leading Private Rina Suzuki, and Leading Private Yuki Nakashima from the GSDF Cold Weather Combat Training Unit (Makomanai, Hokkaido)* competed in the biathlon during the Sochi Winter Olympics (from 7 to 23). We hope you join the MOD in supporting these athletes as they compete for gold! *The GSDF Cold Weather Combat Training Unit is the GSDF s only specialized winter combat training unit and comprises a command unit in charge of managing and supporting the Combat Skills Training Group, which provides training on the skills needed for combat in snow and cold weather environments, the Research Group, which researches unit management for snow and cold weather environments, and the Special Physical Education Group, which trains personnel to compete in the biathlon and cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics. Approval Request of Public Water Body Reclamation for the Futenma Replacement Facility Construction Project (Approval of Public Water Body Reclamation) On December 27, 2013, the Okinawa Defense Bureau received approval from the Okinawa Prefectural Governor Nakaima for the reclamation of public water body related to the Futenma Replacement Facility Construction Project. As MCAS Futenma is located in the middle of Ginowan City, eliminating risks is the pressing issue and the indefinite use of the MCAS Futenma must be avoided at all costs. The MOD considers it truly a matter of great importance that Okinawa Prefectural Governor Nakaima approved the reclamation of public water body for the replacement facility. The MOD commences the project quickly and attempts to 2 shorten the construction time as much as possible. In this regard, the MOD will continue to exert its best efforts for realization of the earliest possible return of MCAS Futenma. In order to demonstrate its commitment to mitigate the impact of military bases on Okinawa Prefecture until the return, the MOD will ensure the relocation of the KC-130 squadron from MCAS Futenma to MCAS Iwakuni as well as implementation of the MV-22 Osprey training outside of Okinawa Prefecture. The MOD will exert itself to the utmost to realize mitigating the impacts as much as possible so that the people of Okinawa can actually feel it. On December 7, 2013, the 16th Deployed Maritime Force for Anti-Piracy Operations were replaced with the 17th Units. From December 10, Japan has been participating in the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151), in order to contribute to more effective protection of ships by cooperating with other countries forces combating piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Japan has commenced zone defense in addition to the protecting mission as before, while coordinating closely with the CTF 151 headquarters. The following operations were undertaken in December 2013 (10th~31st). (1) Number of days: 17 (cumulative total of 17 days) (2) Number of commercial vessels confirmed: Approx. 880 (cumulative total of 880 vessels) Measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden Following data shows the records of the measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through October and December, Aerial activities of Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden Record of Mission (October and December, 2013) 1. Number of flights: 55 flights (Accumulated Total(AT): 1,032 flights) 2. Flight hours: Approx. 420 hours (AT: Approx. 7,980 hours) 3. Number of visually confirmed commercial ships: Approx. 5,030 ships (AT: 83,200 ships) 4. Number of times information was provided to Japanese destroyers, foreign warships, and/or commercial ships: Approx. 400 times (AT: Approx. 8,860 times) 2. Number of escorted vessels: 94 vessels (AT of 3,189 escorted vessels since the start of operations under Japan s Anti-Piracy Measures Law) [Breakdown] Japanese-registered ships: 0 (AT: 15) Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies:10 (AT: 586) Foreign ships other than above: 84 (AT: 2,588) *The above record does not include the 1st 41st escort operation performed as Maritime Security Activities. Escort operations performed by MSDF units in the same area Record of Mission (October and December, 2013) 1. Number of escort operations: 25 times (The 460th 484th escort operation under Japan s Anti-Piracy Measures Law) 3

3 MEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS MEETING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS Defense Minister Onodera Visits India and France Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera visited India and France from January 5 to 10 Visit to India (January 5 to 8) Visit to France (January 8 and 9) Japan India Defense Ministerial Meeting During the meeting, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony welcomed Defense Minister Onodera s visit, and remarked that they would like to further promote cooperation in the field of security and defense. Both ministers also welcomed that the first JWG on US-2 and second Japan India maritime joint exercise were held at the end of last year based on the Japan France Defense Ministerial Meeting joint statement issued from the Japan India Summit Meeting held in May They exchanged views to promote cooperation in a variety of fields including those mentioned above. A joint press release was issued on major defense cooperation and exchanges to be pursued in the future. Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Singh Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated he was satisfied to see that Japan India defense cooperation and exchanges are being implemented steadily based on the joint statement issued after the Japan India Summit Meeting held in May Both parties agreed to promote further cooperation between the two countries going forward. In addition, Mr. Onodera stated that the security of sea lane is a common interest shared by both Japan and India and that securing the freedom of navigation is critical for both countries. Prime Minister Singh expressed his understanding to Mr. Onodera s explanation with regard to these matters. Visits to Singapore and Australia by Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Ryota Takeda visited Singapore and Australia between December 10 to 14, 2013, where he met with Defense Ministers and others from both countries and also sat in on a question time in the Australia s Diet and visited the Kuttabul Naval Base. Singapore Meeting with Second Minister for Defence (also the Minister for Social and Family Development) Chan Both parties agreed to cooperate toward the next IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri La Dialogue) sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and supported by the Singaporean Government. In addition, Mr. Takeda stated that Japan would like to deepen collaboration with ASEAN further, given the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region. In response, Minister Chan welcomed Japan s involvement in the region s security. The two parties also discussed the security environment in East Asia. 4 in order to meet with government officials of both countries and to visit troops. Australia Meeting with Assistant Minister for Defence Robert Both parties talked about Japan Australia defense cooperation and defense policy of both countries, as well as confirming their basic stances following a discussion on the security environment in East Asia. They also agreed to continue discussing the cooperation between two defense authorities forward on a long term basis. Meeting with Minister for Defence Johnston Both parties discussed the security environment in East Asia and confirmed their basic stance. In addition, they agreed to continue long-term discussions concerning specific Japan Australia defense cooperation. Mr. Onodera briefed his counterpart on the basic philosophy behind the Abe administration s Proactive Contribution to Peace and its National Security Strategy as well as its National Defense Program Guidelines and Mid-Term Defense Program. He also discussed the current situation in East Asia. In response, France Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian showed his understanding that maintaining peace of the region through dialogues is important. In addition, he stated that their standpoint is to observe international law in order to protect land, sea and air in light of national security. Also, they agreed on basic agendas to further promote such as cooperation in the Pacific region, etc. Japan France Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers Meeting Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida briefed attendees on Japan s national security policy as well as the establishment of the National Security Council and National Security Strategy, while Mr. Onodera talked about Japan s basic philosophy behind Proactive Contribution to Peace and its National Defense Program Guidelines. All four ministers welcomed the consensus reached on establishing a framework for dialogue concerning defense equipment cooperation and export control measures. They also agreed on reviewing specific projects in the future for defense equipment cooperation and information sharing on one another s export control programs. In addition, agendas agreed during the defense ministerial meetings were confirmed and they had a discussion on regional situation. A Japan France joint announcement was made that included specific cooperation to be pursued in the future that was shared at the meeting and that the next meeting will be held in 2015 in Japan. Courtesy Call on the President Hollande During the meeting, President François Hollande stated the importance of following up on the Roadmap for Japan France Cooperation agreed upon with Prime Minister Abe in June In response, Mr. Onodera cited specific examples of agreed upon matters from the Japan France Defense Ministerial Meeting and stated the significance of many results achieved at the recent Defense Ministerial Meeting and the Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers Meeting. Concept of FY 2014 Budget Plan for Defense Programs and Budget of Japan was formulated. Following points are the main features. 1. Steadily improve defense capabilities in order to develop a Dynamic Joint Defense Force during FY2014 according to the National Defense Program Guidelines for FY2014 and beyond (approved by the Cabinet on December 17, 2013) and the Mid-Term Defense Program for FY2014 through FY2018 (approved by the Cabinet on December 17, 2013). 2. Build defense capabilities with particular emphasis on ISR capabilities, intelligence capabilities, transportation capability, command and control, and information and communications capabilities, response to an attack on remote islets, response to ballistic missile attacks, responses in outer space and cyber space, responses to major disasters, and international peace cooperation activities and other similar activities. These defense capabilities will allow the MOD and the SDF to seamlessly and swiftly play such roles as practicing effective deterrence and response to various situations, stabilization of the Asia-Pacific Region and improvement of global security environments while attempting to further improve the joint functions. 3. In view of the current fiscal austerity, practice efficient and rational spending in a way compatible with other national policies. 5

4 SPECIAL FEATURE Q&A on Japan s National Security Strategy, National Defense Program Guidelines and Mid-Term Defense Program On December 17, 2013, Japan stipulated its first ever National Security Strategy (NSS) and based on this new strategy the Cabinet meeting approved the new National Q1. Please provide an overview of the NSS and the NDPG. Defense Program (NDPG). Here, the main points of these programs will be explained in a Q&A format based on the overview provided in last month s edition. Q4. What kind of changes were made to principal matters and core units in the new MTDP? A4. The new MTDP contains the following principal programs. In order to effectively deter and respond to various situations, Aegis-equipped and other destroyers, submarines, fixed-wing patrol aircraft, fighters, and transport aircraft will be procured and their service life extended, unmanned aerial vehicles, airborne early-warning (and control) aircraft, new aerial refueling/transport aircraft, a new class of destroyers, tiltrotor aircraft, and maneuver combat vehicles will be introduced, and the capabilities of Aegis-equipped destroyers and PAC-3 missiles will be enhanced to defend against ballistic missiles. In addition, changes in core units include the following: The GSDF will further reduce its tanks and howitzers/rockets, while also newly establishing rapid deployment divisions and rapid deployment brigades SPECIAL FEATURE focused on agile operations, newly establishing Ground Central Command to make it possible to operate the new rapid deployment divisions and rapid deployment brigades across Japan, strengthen the capabilities of the units on remote islets in the Southwest region, and newly establish an amphibious rapid deployment brigade. In addition to four Escort Flotillas which are mainly consisted of one DDH and two Aegis-equipped destroyers, the MSDF will have five Escort Fleets consisted of other destroyers. Also, the MSDF will take steps to increase its submarines. The ASDF is planning on relocating one fighter squadron to the Naha Air Base, making it two fighter squadrons and establishing a new Airborne Early Warning Group (provisional name). A1. The NSS represents Japan s fundamental policy on national security and defines the approach Japan should take for its national security needs from the perspective of long-term national interests. The NSS states as its fundamental principle, proactive contribution to peace based on the principle of international cooperation, under which Japan will make more proactive contributions to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the international community, while also ensuring Japan s own security. The formulation and official announcement of the NSS will enhance the transparency and foster greater understanding of Japan s national security policy from people both in Japan and abroad. The other purpose of the NSS is to Q2. What are the main differences with the 2010 NDPG? A2. The new NDPG are intended to comprehensively strengthen Japan s defense structure given the fact that the national security environment surrounding Japan has grown increasingly severe since the previous 2010 NDPG were formulated. Specifically, the new NDPG assess Japan s defense capabilities from the perspective of joint operations and based on these results call for the implementation of flexible and sustainable activities appropriate for joint contribute to more consistent national security policy within the government. Going forward, national security policies will be implemented more strategically and systematically with a focus on diplomacy and defense measures through strong political leadership, under the guide of the National Security Council, and based on the NSS. The new NDPG and MTDP have been formulated based on the NSS. These programs lay out the need to strengthen defense capabilities in order for the SDF to fully execute its role in the future, given the fact that the national security environment surrounding Japan has grown increasingly severe since the 2010 NDPG were drawn up. operations. In addition, the new NDPG promote the efficient development of integrated highly effective defense capabilities that enhance deterrence and response capability as well as ensure necessary and sufficient quality and quantity for supporting various defense activities. As a result, the new NDPG attempt to build a Dynamic Joint Defense Force for the future that can seamlessly and flexibly respond to various situations, including gray zone situations NDPG (October 29, 1976 the National Defense Council 19 years 1995 NDPG (November 28, years 2004 NDPG (December 10, years Changes of the Views regarding Defense Capability Détente and Cold War coexisting in global community Balance relationships between the U.S., China and Soviet Union has attained in the vicinity of Japan Need to show the target of defense force buildup The end of Cold War International situation with unpredictability and uncertainty National expectations to international contribution New threats such as international terrorism and ballistic missile attacks Direct connection between world peace and Japan s peace Necessity to convert the policy from putting weight on deterrence to handling the situation Basic ideas in 1976 NDPG - The concept of Basic Defense Capability - Maintain a minimum-necessary defense force as an independent nation preventing a power vacuum that that destabilize the region, rather than coping with a direct military threat to Japan Basic ideas in 1995 NDPG - Basically follow the concept of Basic Defense Capability - Dealing with various contingencies such as major disasters and contributing to building a more stable security environment added to the roles of defense capability, joining the existing role of defense of the nation Basic ideas in 2004 NDPG - Being able to work independently and proactively on implementing international peace cooperation activities, as well as dealing effectively with new threats and diverse contingencies - Maintenance of the effective aspects of the concept of basic defense capability Q3. What does Dynamic Joint Defense Force mean? A3. As the national security environment facing Japan has grown increasingly severe since the previous 2010 NDPG were formulated, the SDF will be required to respond on more occasions to gray zone and other situations and also engage in peacetime activities for more extended periods of time. As a result, the SDF must enhance its deterrence and response capability as well as ensure necessary and sufficient quality and quantity for supporting various defense activities, in order to implement appropriate activities flexibly and sustainably based on joint operations as well as further strengthen the nation s defense capabilities. From this point of view, as for future defense capabilities, particularly important defense functions and capabilities must be optimized as a whole, given changes in the national security environment. The defense force also must be an effective one which enables conducting a diverse range of activities to be seamless as well as dynamic and adapting to situations as the demand. To that end, Japan will build a Dynamic Joint Defense Force focused on readiness, sustainability, resiliency and connectivity both tangibly and intangibly, reinforced by Command Control Communication Intelligence capabilities, advanced technologies and a broad reaching logistical support infrastructure NDPG (December 17, years 2013 NDPG (December 17, 2013 the National Security Council Change in global power balance Complex military situation surrounding Japan Diversification of the military role in global society Security situation surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe U.S. rebalance to the Asia-pacific region Lessons learned from the Self-Defense forces experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake Basic ideas in 2010 NDPG - Build up of a Dynamic Defense Force (Not bound by the concept of Basic Defense Capability) - Facilitating effective deterrence of and responses to various contingencies, and making it possible to proactively conduct activities to further stabilize the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and improve the global security environment in a dynamic manner Basic ideas in 2013 NDPG - Build up of a Dynamic Joint Defense Force - Respond to increasingly severe security environment, and carry out various activities, such as securing sea and air superiority seamlessly and flexibly based on joint operations in accordance with the situation through defense capability backed by the idea of joint operation 6 7

5 ACTIVITIES Naming and Launch Ceremony for 23MSC Hatsushima The naming and launch ceremony for the Hatsushima was held on December 6, The Hatsushima is the third Enoshima class minesweeper to be commissioned. The Enoshima class is the first vessel type in the MSDF fleet to have a hull made from fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), which has greatly extended service life compared to conventional wood hull minesweepers. The Enoshima class has one of the largest FRP-constructed minesweepers in the world. Main Specifications Length 60.0 meters Beam 10.1 meters Displacement 570 tons standard Engines 2 diesel engines (two shafts) Speed 14 knots Latest News Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Nishi visits the Philippines and Laos (27~30 Jan.) Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakamiya visits the U.S. (20~22 Jan.) U.S. Senator Marco Rubio pays courtesy call on U.S. Senator Marco Rubio Defense Minister Onodera (20 Jan.) They had a candid discussion on a wide range of common security challenges broadly, including regional situation, Japan U.S. defense cooperation and realignment of U.S. Forces. Returning Ceremony of Anti-piracy measures 16th DSPE (15 and 17 Jan, MSDF Sasebo District and Ominato District) Returning Ceremony of Anti-piracy measures 16th DSPE Check out web-only articles and photo galleries at our website : Let us know your comments and opinions by answering the quick survey! For inquiry, contact following office: Public Affairs Division, Ministry of Defense, Japan TEL: (switch board) Web: 8