Ceremony Marks Launch of SDF Joint Operations Command

Tokyo, March 24 (Jiji Press)--A ceremony was held in Tokyo on Monday to mark the launch of the Joint Operations Command at Japan's Self-Defense Forces to direct the operations of the Ground, Maritime and Air SDFs in an integrated way. 

The Joint Operations Command, a permanent body with powerful authority that started with a staff of about 240, is aimed at addressing swiftly and smoothly the increasingly severe security environment and strengthening cooperation between the SDF and the U.S. military.

"We want you to build a system that can respond to all situations around the clock and improve the effectiveness of joint operations," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at the ceremony.

Air SDF Lt. Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 59, who became the first commander of the Joint Operations Command, said, "We will make every effort to fulfill our missions with renewed determination."

The Joint Operations Command oversees SDF activities across wide areas, including space and cyber in addition to conventional land, sea and air in a seamless way, aiming to improve cross-domain operational capabilities.

As a permanent body, it is expected to respond smoothly to simultaneous incidents, such as by guarding airspace and territorial waters while dealing with ballistic missiles, large-scale disasters and cyberattacks. It will also address issues from peacetime to contingencies, including in so-called gray-zone situations that do not lead to armed attacks.

The new command is expected to boost cooperation with its overseas counterparts.

Separately, a new unit was created in the MSDF's Kure base in the western prefecture of Hiroshima to transport supplies to remote islands in southwestern Japan by sea.

The MSDF's Ominato District, based in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, was integrated into the MSDF's Yokosuka District in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo.

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