Japanese Military Power 2012
July, 2013
Report on Japanese Military Power 2012
China Strategic Culture Promotion Association
VII. Military Training and Exercises
Service and joint exercises within the JSDF, bilateral exercises with U.S. forces and multi-national exercises were frequent in 2012. As maritime and island disputes between Japan and its neighbors, especially China, have intensified, the focus of various JSDF exercises is maritime operations. The scenario of these exercises mostly deals with island defense and landing operations and their purposes are self-evident.
A. Regular JSDF exercises
JSDF exercises in 2012 include routine exercises such as coordinated transfer exercises and real-troop exercises. The Northeastern Army conducted a coordinated transfer exercise between June and July, Eastern Army in August, Northern Army between October and November. Among them, the Northeastern Army exercise was on the division-regiment level. In 2012, 7,700 JSDF troops, about 2,100 vehicles and 30 aircraft participated in the coordinated transfer exercises, involving long-distance mobilization training using various means of transport, and covering subjects such as live-ammunition firing, explosion, and landing by both individual troops and armored units. Specifically, the Eastern and Northern Armies were transferred to the Western Army's territory, i.e. the bases in Kyushu. In terms of real-troop exercises, JSDF Northern Army conducted its annual real-troop drills in Hokkaido, in which 9,000 members from the 2nd and 7th Division, 11th Brigade, over 1,000 vehicles, and more than 20 aircraft were involved. The exercise covered subjects such as warning and surveillance, defense, civilian protection, construction of field hospitals, firing, etc. The Western Army conducted annual real-troop exercises from Nov. 2nd to 22nd in Kitakyushu. 5,400 personnel from the 4th and 8th Divisions, Central Readiness Force and the 12th Brigade, more than 1,500 vehicles and 30 aircraft took part in the exercise which covers such training subjects as warning and surveillance, defense, base protection, construction of troop stations, etc.
On August 26th, 2011, the JSDF conducted its annual Fuji Firepower Demonstration which was the largest live-ammunition exercise of the year. 2,400 personnel, over 80 armored vehicles, 80 guns, and 30 aircraft took part in the exercise which took island defense as the main scenario. It is worth noting that Type 10 tanks made its debut in this exercise. To simulate real-life island offense and defense, the JASDF dispatched F-2 fighters as an opposing force. The JMSDF also dispatched its P-3C early warning and control system for the first time.
B. Joint military exercises between Japan and the U.S.
From Nov. 5th to 16th, 2012, Japan and the U.S. conducted a joint exercise codenamed Keen Sword in the waters near Kyushuk, Hokkaido, and Akita. 37,000 officers and men from the Service Staff, Western and Northern Army of the JGSDF, Central Readiness Force, JSDF Fleet, and Japan Air Defense Command, 30 vessels, and 240 aircraft from the Japanese side, as well as around 10,000 officers and men from the USFJ, the 7th Fleet, Pacific Air Forces and Marine Corps from the U.S. side took part in the exercise. Keen Sword is a bilateral joint training exercise conducted every other year since 1985, featuring joint operations in island defense. An island retaking operation had been planned on the uninhabited Irisuna Island, but given China's attitude and local protests, the operation was cancelled.
Annual Japan-U.S. Joint Regional Army command post exercise takes place in both the U.S. and Japan. From July 10th to 21st, 2012, the command post exercise was held in Hawaii. Over 200 senior officers from JGSDF Staff and Northeastern Army and from the USFJ took part in the exercise. From Dec. 1st to 13th, around 4,500 personnel from the Northeastern Army and 1,500 personnel from the U.S. Pacific Command, USAJ Command, the 8th Army and Marine Corps participated in the exercise held at a JSDF base in Sendai. During the exercises, both sides carried out operational simulation and map maneuver to improve command-post level coordination.
There have also been frequent regiment-level exercises between Japan and the U.S.. From August 19th to 30th, some battalions from the 4th Division of the JSDF and the 3rd U.S. Marine Corps conducted a joint training exercise in Hijyudai Exercise Ground, Kyushu. From August 21st to September 26th, some battalions from the 3rd Division of the JSDF and the 3rd U.S. Marine Corps conducted joint training in U.S. air and naval bases in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. From September 4th to 24th, battalions from the 2nd Division of the JSDF went to the State of Washington to conduct joint training with U.S. forces. From October 24th to November 7th, battalions from the 10th Division of the JSDF conducted joint training with the 25th U.S. Infantry Division and other units in Aibano Exercise Ground and Imazu Base. Although there were differences in terms of training subjects and equipment, all the joint training exercises were aimed at enhancing rapid response capabilities.
C. Multinational maritime exercises between Japan and other countries.
From June 23rd to August 3rd, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2012 was held in Hawaii. 46 warships, over 200 aircraft and 250,000 personnel from 22 countries took part in the exercise. JS Myoko (DDG-175), JS Shirane (DDH-143), JS Bungo (MST-464), SH-60J Seahawk, and P-3C Orion from the JSDF took part in the maritime exercise.
Japan was also involved in other multinational exercises. From June 4th to 8th, 2012, naval forces from Japan, the U.S., and Australia conducted a joint exercise off the coast of Kyushu. JS Shimakaze (DDG-172) joined the other two destroyers from U.S. and Australian navies in the exercise focusing on anti-submarine and combined tactical operations. From September 9th to 23rd, the three countries conducted another multinational maritime exercise off the coast of Guam. Two P-3C Orions from the 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron from the JASDF took part in the exercise.
On June 9th, 2012, maritime forces from Japan and India conducted their first ever joint exercise in Sagami Bay. JS Hatakaze (DDG-171) and JS Onami (DD-111) from the JMSDF and INS Rana (D 52) from the Indian Navy took part in the exercise which was considered a hallmark in defense cooperation and maritime strategic coordination between the two countries.
From June 21st to 22nd, 2012, naval forces from Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. conducted a joint maritime exercise off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, involving JS Kurama (DDH-144), JS Kirishima (DDG-174), and JS Yuudachi (DD-103) from the JMSDF, and USS George Washington (CVN 73) and several cruisers from the U.S. Navy. The main training subjects include tactical operation, onboard inspection, and search and rescue operation, directly targeting the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula and the East China Sea.
From August 22nd to 24th, 2012, Japan, Australia, and Singapore conducted a joint exercise off the coast of Guam. JS Shimakaze (DDG-172) took part in the exercise. This is the second such trilateral exercise which began in 2010. The main training subjects include tactical maneuver and communications.
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