Cover Photograph : 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus Nov. 2017 No. 94 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus TOPICS Prime Minister Abe Observes the DDG Japan-U.S. Joint Cruising Exercise Dawn Blitz 17 Status of Scrambles through the First Half of FY 2017 Myoko Naming and Launch Ceremony of DD Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Second Quarter of FY 2017 PAC-3 Sake Shiranui www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/ MINISTRY OF DEFENSE The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces JAPAN DEFENSE F OCUS
Transcript
Cover Photograph :4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus
Prime Minister Abe Observes the DDG Japan-U.S. Joint Cruising ExerciseDawn Blitz 17Status of Scrambles through the First Half of FY 2017
Myoko Naming and Launch Ceremony of DD Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Second Quarter of FY 2017PAC-3Sake
Shiranui
www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces
JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS
1 The 4th ADMM-Plus (October 24th)
3 Bilateral and Trilateral Talks
2 The 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting (October 23rd)
4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
The 4th ADMM-Plus was held with the Minister-lev-
el participants from the 10 ASEAN Member States and
8 Plus-countries. At the meeting, participants exchanged
their views on security issues in the region.
Minister Onodera stated that the nuclear tests and
repeated missile launches conducted by North Korea
are direct challenges to the international community and
pose an unprecedented and imminent threat. Minister
Onodera underscored that the international community
needs to stand in solidarity and give maximum pressure
to North Korea.
Regarding maritime issues, Minister Onodera pointed
out that attempts to change the status-quo unilaterally by
coercion based on its own unique claim have become a
From October 22nd to 25th, Minister of Defense Onodera attended the 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meet-
ing-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, and held meetings with
the defense ministers of countries represented at the ADMM-Plus.
concern on the prosperity in the region, and underlined that
Japan is taking actions which contributes to free and open seas.
Minister Onodera also stated that natural disaster is a
serious risk to the stability in the region and emphasized
that Japan has been working on the promotion of regional
cooperation regarding humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief under the framework of ADMM-Plus and that Japan
is going to take even more active role.
Other participants touched upon topics such as
achievements and future directions under the framework
of ADMM-Plus, the situation of the Korean Peninsula,
peaceful maritime conflict solving including South China
Sea issues and averting collision at sea, and the necessity
of cooperation for counter-terrorism.
Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Secretary of Defense James Mattis)
Minister Onodera and Secretary Mattis shared information on the situation of
nuclear and missile development by North Korea and agreed to ensure the best
defense posture. They confirmed to promote closer cooperation on operational side
and on introduction of new BMD assets. Secretary Mattis renewed strong determina-
tion on defense of Japan including commitment for extended deterrence. Also, the
Ministers confirmed that they will coordinate closely on future measures, continue
to exert pressure on North Korea in a tangible way and advance close trilateral
cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and ROK. In addition, the Ministers agreed that
they will continuously keep paying attention to the situation of the East China Sea
and cooperate for its peace and stability, and advance defense cooperation with
South-East Asian countries in light of the situation of the South China Sea.
Defense Minister Onodera held a trilateral meeting and bilateral meetings as follows:
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Defense Minister Onodera looked back on last year’s
announcement of the “Vientiane Vision,” and confirmed
the importance of the meeting which provides momentum
to strengthen Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation.
Japan and ASEAN shared the recognition that
Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation has become even
more important in ensuring regional peace and stability, as
the regional security challenges have become diverse and
complex, including the current situation in North Korea and
the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas.
Defense Minister Onodera stated that he would like to
continue to deepen the cooperation based on the “Vien-
tiane Vision”. ASEAN welcomed and supported the
vision, and agreed to further promote Japan-ASEAN
defense cooperation.
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Japan-U.S.-ROK Defense Ministerial
Meeting (Secretary of Defense James
Mattis and Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo)
The three Ministers condemned, in the strongest terms, North
Korea’s continued provocative actions. The three Ministers
lauded collective efforts to enhance response capabilities,
including the execution of multiple combined flight training
missions with U.S. bomber aircraft. They also committed to
continue missile warning and anti-submarine warfare exercises.
Moreover, the three Ministers pledged to take necessary steps to
bolster their ability to improve information sharing and strength-
en responses to North Korean threats. Finally, the three Ministers
pledged to actively cooperate to support diplomatic-led efforts to
resolve North Korean nuclear issue
through maximum pressure on North
Korea, and decided to continue holding
consultations on security issues, as well
as affirmed their strong commitment to
promoting security cooperation among
the three countries.
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Japan-Australia
Defense Ministerial
Meeting (Minister of Defence
Marise Payne)
The two Ministers exchanged views to
further deepen bilateral defense coopera-
tion based on the “Special Strategic
Partnership.” The two Ministers agreed
to closely work together in order to deter
North Korea’s repeated and excessively
provocative actions. With regard to the
situation surrounding South China Sea,
the two Ministers also agreed that Japan,
Australia and the U.S. secure the
presence in the region and strengthen
cooperation with countries in the region.
The two Ministers welcomed the
deepening of the bilateral defense
cooperation, and agreed to more firmly
develop our bilateral defense coopera-
tion. The two Ministers also agreed to
continue to strength-
en trilateral defense
cooperation among
Japan, Australia and
the U.S.
4 Japan-Philippines
Defense Ministerial
Meeting (Secretary of National
Defense Delfin Lorenzana)
Minister Onodera states that, as
strategic partners with common
principles and goals, he would like to
further deepen their cooperation.
Minister Onodera also told, regard-
ing TC-90 transfer, that those aircraft
will be granted instead of lease. On
East and South China Sea, Minister
Onodera stated that he would like to
promote cooperation with the
Philippines for peace and stability in
the region, which Secretary Lorenza-
na agreed. The secretary expressed
his appreciation for the port call by
the escort ship Izumo in June.
Minister Onodera commended the
trilateral maritime patrol by the
Philippines,
Indonesia and
Malaysia in the
Sulu Sea and
Celebes Sea.
5 Japan-Vietnam
Defense Ministerial
Meeting (Minister of National
Defence Ngo Xuan Lich)
Minister Onodera stated that, with
Vietnam being the next ASEAN
Dialogue Coordinator for Japan from
next year, he would promote bilateral
cooperation. Minister Ngo Xuan Lich
responded that he wants to continue
defense exchanges. On North Korea,
Minister Onodera stated that its
frequent reckless actions were grave
and imminent threat to the region.
They confirmed their cooperation on
this matter including strict implemen-
tation of relevant USNC Resolutions.
On the South China Sea, they
confirmed the importance of maintain-
ing the maritime order based on
international law. They agreed that any
unilateral attempt to
change the status
quo by force
is unacceptable.
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Japan-Republic of Korea Defense
Ministerial Meeting (Minister of
National Defense Song Young-moo)
The two Ministers confirmed once again that it is
important that Japan and ROK as well as Japan,
ROK and the U.S. further increase pressure on and
send a strong message to North Korea to deter
repeated provocations, and that they will continue to
closely cooperate on the North Korea’s nuclear and
missile issues. Furthermore, the two Ministers
exchanged their views on Japan-ROK defense
cooperation and exchanges, and agreed to steadily
implement concrete cooperation and exchange
programs such as personnel
exchanges and mutual visits
of vessels and aircraft, and
to advance cooperation,
both based on good
bilateral cooperation.
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Nov.
Topics Topics
From September 29th to October 1st, JMSDF DD Sazanami conducted a joint cruising exercise with several ships including USS Ronald Regan, where they conducted several types of training during cruising together from the waters and airspace around Okinawa to those of the Bashi Channel.
Japan-U.S. Joint Cruising Exercise
From October 7th to November 4th, the field training exercise “Dawn Blitz 2017” was conducted in California, the United States. It was conducted bilaterally by Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and U.S. Forces and focused on a series of movements concerning amphibious landing operation such as sea maneuver, landing, deployment and secur-ing coastal territory, to improve interoperability for amphibious operations and contribute to set up the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to be newly organized at the end of this fiscal year.
Dawn Blitz 17
From Japanese side, around 100 personnel attached to Western Army of Japan Ground Self-De-fense Force (JGSDF) participated in the exercise with firearms, high mobility vehicles and other equipment. From U.S. side, the 3rd fleet of U.S. Navy and I Marine Expeditionary Force took part in it.
This exercise intended to improve the tactical capabili-ties of the JMSDF and to strengthen partnership with the U.S. Navy.
Prime Minister Abe Observes the DDG Myoko Prime Minister Abe Observes the DDG Myoko
On September 30th, Prime Minister Abe visited Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Maizuru District in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture. He encouraged Captain Nose as well as the ship’s crew and other personnel who work in Maizuru aboard the DDG Myoko saying “I would like all of you to fulfill your duties with a strong sense of pride and self-confidence.”
4 No.94Nov. 5Visit JDF website to see more photos and web-only articles. Nov.
No.94
ActivitiesSpecial Feature
▷Standard displacement: approx. 5,100 t▷Length: 151 m▷Beam: 18.3 m▷Engines: two gas turbines and two
electric motor propulsion systems (2 shafts)
▷Top speed: approx. 30 kt
Specifications
Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) scrambled 561 times through the first half of FY 2017, which marked a decrease of 33 times compared to the same period of the previous year. The breakdown of scrambles by countries and regions was about 51% against Chinese aircraft, about 48% against Russian aircraft, and 1% against other aircraft, although some are based on supposition.
JASDF scrambled 287 times against Chinese aircraft in total, a decrease of 120 times compared to the same period of the previous year. A total of 14 unusual individual flights were publicized, including an event where a H-6 bomber was confirmed for the first time flying northeast above the Pacific Ocean all the way to the waters off the coast of the Kii Peninsula and another event where a Chinese government vessel that entered Japan’s territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands launched what appeared to be a small drone that violated Japan’s airspace. JASDF scrambled 267 times against Russian aircraft in total, an increase of 87 times compared to the same period of the previous year. Also, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) publicized 13 cases as peculiar flights. Scrambles against Chinese fighter aircraft and Russian intelligence gathering aircraft were outstanding in frequen-cy compared to other types of aircraft of each country, although this includes estimation. The period of this data is from April 1st, 2017 to September 30th, 2017.
Status of Scrambles through the First Half of FY 2017
Following data shows the records of the measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden from July through September.
Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Second Quarter of FY 2017
On October 12th, the naming and launch ceremony for the FY 2014 DD Shiranui was held at the Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This vessel is the second 5,000-ton class destroyer to be launched. The vessel will be placed into service around March 2019.
Naming and Launch Ceremony of DD ShiranuiIn this edition, we will take a closer look at PAC-3 Patriot surface-to-air guided missile. PAC-3 is a system tasked with intercepting a ballistic missile in its terminal phase. Japan plans to introduce PAC-3MSE, with more than double the defense range, in order to further bolster its ballistic missile defense system.
PAC-3
Characteristics of Responses through the First Half of FY 2017 Number of Scrambles by Fiscal Year
Aerial Activities of P-3C Patrol Aircraft off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of AdenRecord of Mission (July through September)
Escort Operations Performed by JMSDF Units in the Same AreaRecord of Mission (July through September)
Zone Defense performed in the Same AreaRecord of Mission (July through September)
Number of flights: 61 flights (Accumulated Total(AT): 1,891 flights)Flight hours: Approx. 440 hours (AT: Approx. 14,480 hours)Number of visually confirmed commercial ships: Approx. 4,900 ships (AT: Approx. 156,800 ships)Number of times of information sharing to Japanese destroyers, foreign warships, and/or commercial ships: Approx. 200 times (AT: Approx. 12,970 times)
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Number of escort operations: 7 times (The 755th - 761th escort operation under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)Number of escorted vessels: 10 vessels (AT 3,809 of escorted vessels since the start of operations under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
[Breakdown]Japanese-registered ships: 1 (AT: 18 )Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies: 1 (AT: 49)Foreign ships other than above: 8 (AT: 3,117)*The above record does not include the 1st - 41st escort operation performed as Maritime Security Activities.
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▷Length: approx. 5 m▷Diameter: approx. 0.25 m▷Weight: approx. 0.3 t▷Range: several dozen km▷Components: radar system, fire control system, launcher,
antenna mast group, vehicle-mounted electricity generator, and missile
Number of days: 70 (AT: 1,079 days)Number of commercial vessels confirmed: Approx. 310 (AT: 14,600 vessels)
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ActivitiesActivities
No.94Nov.
LATESTNEWS
Courtesy call by H. E. Mr. Ahmet Bülent MERIÇ, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Japan (Oct. 11th)
Courtesy call by Mr. YELISIEIEV, Kostiantyn Petrovych, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine (Oct. 11th)
J apan has abundant water resources, and a variety of forms of alcohol are made from high quality underground water.
Sake is the representative of such alcohol. It is also known as “rice wine” abroad, and is popular with foreign tourists who visit Japan. Sake is a brewed and matured alcoholic beverage made with rice, rice-malt (kome-koji) and water. It is said that there are over 10,000 varieties of sake. Sake has an ancient history as a beloved alcohol of the people that has been passed down for over 1,000 years through the present day.
Further, there is a saying that “sake is the best medi-cine,” meaning that it is good for health to drink in moderate quantities. Sake is served at celebratory occa-sions such as Japan’s coming of age ceremony, weddings. November 1st is the Anniversary of the Establishment of JSDF. JSDF personnel perform the kagami biraki ceremony of breaking open a sake cask with a mallet to liven up the festivities to celebrate the anniversary on bases, anchored escort vessels, and at other locations.
H. E. Mr. Ahmet Bülent MERIÇ,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Turkey to Japan
Mr. YELISIEIEV, Kostiantyn Petrovych,
Deputy Head of the Presidential
Administration of Ukraine
ceremonyKagami biraki
SakeSake
酒
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Column
Public Affairs Division, Ministryof Defense, Japan TEL:+81-3-3268-3111 (switch board) Web:http://www.mod.go.jp/e/index.htmlFor inquiry, contact following office:
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November 2017: " We Are Tomodachi Autumn / Winter 2017" Released
