JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS No.127
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The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces Sep. / 2020 JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS No.127 SPECIAL FEATURE JSDF Disaster Relief Activities Associated with Heavy Rain in July 2020 Defense in the Electromagnetic Domain JGSDF Northeastern Army Band Participates in Hamina Tattoo Video Greeting Project Recent Conferences JMSDF Training and Exercises DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020 Cover Photograph : JSDF Disaster Relief Activities Associated with Heavy Rain in July 2020 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/ Special Feature Special Feature JSDF Disaster Relief Activities Associated with Heavy Rain in July 2020 In response to disaster relief requests from affected local night of July 3rd. A string of flooding and landslides ture. The JGSDF 8th Division carried out rescue activities be assigned to the disaster relief activities by up to 20,000 authorities following heavy rains in July 2020, the Minis- occurred along the Kuma River in Kumamoto and the on the ground in Hitoyoshi City, Yatsushiro City and personnel. From the 7th, the JGSDF accepted the JSDF try of Defense/Japan Self-Defense Forces (MOD/JSDF) Chikugo River in Oita. On July 4th, the Governor of Ashikita Town. The JASDF 9th AC&W Squadron Ready Reserve Personnel, and from the 8th, they started dispatched the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Kumamoto Prefecture submitted a disaster relief dispatch removed landslide debris in Kagoshima Prefecture. their activities in the JGSDF Western Army logistic Forces (hereinafter JGSDF, JMSDF, JASDF) units to the request to the JGSDF 8th Division Commanding General On July 5th, Minister Kono ordered up to 200 JSDF support unit. affected areas. They have engaged in lifesaving activities (DCG). In response, the MOD/JSDF readied 10,000 Ready Reserve Personnel to convene based on a Cabinet On July 9th, an order was issued to mobilize up to 400 JSDF such as searching for missing persons, rescue by helicop- personnel (including logistics support units) which decision to call up the Personnel. The decision marks the Ready Reserve Personnel and up to 100 Reserve Personnel. ters or boats in isolated areas, and rescue by utilizing civil consisted of three JSDF components, mainly from the sixth time that JSDF Ready Reserve Personnel were On July 13th, the Governor of Yamaguchi issued disas- engineering equipment. In addition, the JSDF has JGSDF Western Army. The response units were then sent mobilized since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. performed operations that require its readiness and exper- to the affected areas. ter relief dispatch request to the commander of Western Their most recent dispatch was for the disaster-relief Army Defense Force. tise, such as food and water supply assistance, bathing On the same day, the 8th Aviation unit and Western mission to respond to Typhoon Hagibis last year. support, transportation of supplies, medical support, Aviation Group of the JGSDF, the Fleet Air Wing 22 of As of July 20th, JSDF ground forces and aircraft have epidemic prevention support, and disaster waste disposal, In addition, on July 7th, the Governors of Fukuoka and rescued a total of 1,775 people. Approx. 2,130 personnel the JMSDF, and the Western Air Defense Force, Ashiya Oita Prefectures issued disaster relief dispatch requests to to complement the roles of local authorities. and Nyutabaru Air Rescue Squadrons of the JASDF began and 8 aircrafts have engaged in disaster relief activities, the 4th DCG of the JGSDF. On the same day, the MOD/- such as search and rescue operations for missing persons, In southern Kyushu, including Kumamoto and Kagoshi- airlift rescue operations by helicopters in Yatsushiro City, JSDF decided to boost the number of personnel who would ma Prefectures, record-breaking rainfalls started on the Hitoyoshi City, and Kuma Village in Kumamoto Prefec- disposal of disaster waste, and livelihood support. 2 JDF Sep. No.127 Visit JDF website to see more photos and web-only articles. www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/ 3 Topics Activities Defense in the Electromagnetic Domain Recent Conferences Electromagnetic spectrum is a In FY2020, the MOD/JSDF has been building and reinforcing the following Defense Minister’s Conferences general term for radio waves, capabilities to gain superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum. infrared rays, visible light, X-rays, Japan-United States-Australia etc. In everyday life, radio waves ▶Development of Standoff Electronic Warfare Aircraft 1 are particularly being used for To support JSDF air operations by conducting effective On July 8th, a virtual trilateral stability, and prosperity in the COVID-19 and regional issues such various purposes ranging from jamming of an adversary’s communication. defense ministerial meeting was held Indo-Pacific region while keeping as the situation in the East and South television and mobile communica- between Australian Minister for their shared values and longstanding China Seas, Hong Kong, and North tions to geolocation information ▶Research on Anti-air Electronic Warfare Device 1 Defence Reynolds, U.S. Secretary of alliances and close partnerships. The Korea. They also discussed the To neutralize the radar of invading aircraft by emitting through global positioning systems. Image Defense Esper, and Minister Kono. ministers also exchanged views on importance of ongoing support for radio waves from the ground. The ministers reaffirmed their joint the roles of defense authorities in partners in South Asia, Southeast Electromagnetic spectrum has 2 also been being used for ▶Procurement of three F-35A fighter aircraft 2 commitment to enhance security, light of the global spread of Asia, and the Pacific region. command/communication, and To secure air superiority by procuring F-35A fighter warning/surveillance in the field aircraft with superior electronic protection capabilities. United States of defense. With the development ▶Procurement of six F-35B fighter aircraft 3 of the technology, its use has To improve flexibility of fighter operation by procuring 3 On June 24th, Minister Kono held a from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State expanded in range and purpose, and F-35Bs with superior electronic protection capabilities. video teleconference with Represen- Stephen Biegun. They exchanged it is now recognized as a major tative Diana DeGette (U.S. views on regional affairs, including ▶Improvement of F-15 fighter aircraft’s capabilities operational domain situated on the 4 Congresswoman). On July 10th, the North Korea. To improve electronic warfare capabilities by frontline of the offense-defense minister received a courtesy call Courtesy Call by Deputy Secretary of State Biegun upgrading programs. 4 dynamic in today’s warfare. Therefore, together with space and ▶Establishment of an Electronic Warfare Unit Chief of Staff, Joint Staff’s Teleconferences cyberspace, electromagnetic To strengthen operational capabilities in spectrum is regarded as an the electromagnetic domain. On June 30th, General Yamazaki, teleconference with General Sir Nick UAE Armed Forces. The two leaders essential domain in the FY2019 Chief of Staff, Joint Staff held a Carter GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, confirmed the importance of promot- National Defense Program Through these efforts, the MOD/JSDF will continue to promote the develop- teleconference with Lieutenant British Chief of the Defence Staff. In ing Japan-UAE defense cooperation. Guidelines (NDPG). ment of truly effective defensive capabilities. General Aviv Kochavi, Chief of the the respective teleconferences, the In each of these teleconferences, General Staff, Israel Defense Forces. leaders discussed the security environ- General Yamazaki coincided with The two leaders reaffirmed the ment which grows increasingly severe, each counterpart on closely cooperat- importance of promoting Japan-Israel as well as reaffirmed the importance ing to address common challenges in Electronic Warfare (image) defense cooperation. of the Japan-France and Japan-UK order to ensure the peace and stability On July 2nd, General Yamazaki and defense cooperation and exchanges. in the international community and the General François Lecointre, French On July 7th, General Yamazaki held region. Opinions were also exchanged Electronic warfare capabilities Electromagnetic spectrum management capabilities Chief of the General Staff, held a another video teleconference with H.E. about the situation affected by video teleconference, and on July 6th, Staff Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammed COVID-19 and the efforts to prevent Warfare (electronic warfare*) capabilities to effectively Capabilities to appropriately manage and coordinate the General Yamazaki had a video Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff, the spread of the virus. and proactively utilize electromagnetic spectrum to use of electromagnetic spectrum among SDF units by ensure the use and effect of electromagnetic spectrum ascertaining the status of electromagnetic spectrum in while interfering with the use and effect by an enemy. the theater and preventing interference with the aim of securing electronic warfare capabilities. (※) Electronic warfare is categorized as electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic warfare support in general. Electronic attack Electronic protection Electronic warfare support ・Emit electronic waves to communication ・Reduce or nullify the impact of ・Collect and analyze such informa- devices and radars of an enemy, thereby electromagnetic spectrum used by an tion as electromagnetic spectrum used reducing or disabling their communication enemy by using stealth technology by an enemy General