Japan Ministry of Defense/JGSDF

Senior Colonel Horiguchi, who is selected and appointed by the UNs as Force Chief of Staff(FCOS) of United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS), reported to GEN Arai, CS, JGSDF on his departure to South Sudan on 24 APR 2026. GEN Arai encouraged him “I express congratulation for your success in selection, and expect you to fulfil your responsibilities as FCOS carrying out your duties with pride and confidence drawn from your service experience as SDF officer. ” JGSDF will continue to contribute to improving the international security environment through dispatching qualified personnel to peace operations.

🇯🇵🇸🇪#JGSDF participated in Gender Advisor Course hosted by the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) in NATO in Sweden with members in other Self-Defense Forces to enhance human resources in the field of #WomenPeaceandSecurity ( #WPS). At the end of the course, Mr. Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Sweden, visited NCGM to confirm Japan–NATO cooperation firsthand. In his visit, we expressed appreciation for NATO and Sweden’s long-standing support to Japan, as well as reaffirmed the importance of advancing WPS efforts together.

#JGSDF members to be dispatched as staff officers of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), LTC Kanetsuka, and three others, reported to GEN Arai, CS, JGSDF on their departure to Sinai Peninsula, Egypt on 23 APR 2026. GEN Arai encouraged them, “I would like you to accomplish your respective missions with pride in the experience you gained through your service as SDF personnel, so that you contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East, the foundation of peace and prosperity for Japan.” JGSDF will continue to contribute to improving the international security environment through dispatching qualified personnel to peace operations.

🇯🇵🇮🇳#JGSDF held the 8th Staff Talks with the Indian Army on 22 April at Camp Ichigaya in Japan. Since the first Staff Talks was held in September 2010, this round marked the eighth iteration of our bilateral talks. During the Staff Talks, JGSDF and the Indian Army engaged in discussions on the future direction of defense cooperation and exchanges, and reached a shared understanding to further enhance cooperation through multi‑layered exchanges, including joint training. In addition, through a unit visit to the Central Readiness Regiment (CRR), the visiting delegation gained a better understanding of the unit engaged in international missions. JGSDF will continue to promote defense cooperation and exchanges with the Indian Army to jointly contribute to maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

#JGSDF is participating in the US-Philippines-led Multinational Joint Exercise “ #Balikatan26” in Philippines from 20 APR to 8 MAY 2026. Through this exercise conducting trainings such as amphibious operations, anti-landing fire, and anti-ship combat, the JGSDF is enhancing its various capabilities and improving interoperability with partner nations. LTG Tokunaga, Vice Chief of Staff, JGSDF, attended the opening ceremony and he paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Army Headquarters. Through discussions with LTG Nafarette, Commander of the Philippine Army, they shared the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Japanese and Philippine armies. Furthermore, LTG Tokunaga paid a courtesy call on the Embassy of Japan in Philippines and held talks with H.E. Mr. Endo, Ambassador. #BK26 #Balikatan #ShoulderToShoulder

🇯🇵🇺🇦Ground Staff Office and JGSDF Chemical School etc. held their first virtual exchange (VTC) with the Ukrainian CBRN Defense Center on 21 APR 2026. Both sides exchanged views on their respective expertise in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) defense and concurred to continue promoting exchanges in the CBRN field. #StandWithUkraine

🇯🇵🇵🇭GEN Arai, Chief of Staff, JGSDF, held a VTC with Lieutenant General Nafarrete, Commanding General of the Philippine Army. This marked their third dialogue. They exchanged views on the regional security environment and shared their understanding of the current status and future direction of Japan–Philippines defense cooperation and exchanges. In particular, they reaffirmed the importance of communication at all levels, including high-level engagements, and agreed on strengthening cooperation through joint training opportunities and collaboration in multi-layered areas, including defense equipment and technology cooperation. #JGSDF will continue contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced Army-to-Army cooperation.

🇯🇵🇵🇭GEN Arai, Chief of Staff, JGSDF, held a VTC with Major General Blanco, Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. This marked their second dialogue. They exchanged views on the regional security environment and shared their understanding of the current status and future direction of Japan–Philippines defense cooperation and exchanges. In particular, they agreed on strengthening cooperation in joint training and promoting collaboration in areas of mutual interest through expert exchanges. They also shared the importance of further developing Army-to-Army cooperation to further strengthen bilateral ties, and reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to work together toward peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

🇯🇵🇵🇭#JGSDF held the 8th Staff Talks with Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps on 8 APR 2026, at Camp Ichigaya in Japan, lasting from 2015. During this meeting, JGSDF, Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps engaged in discussions on the future direction of defense cooperation and exchanges, and reached agreement on that direction. In addition, as part of the program of unit visits, the participants visited the Chemical School and the 1st Airborne Brigade, and concurred to further enhance cooperation, including joint training. JGSDF will continue to promote cooperation and exchanges with Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps toward preservation of the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Please see the digest movie of “ceremony for the Unmanned Defense Capability Promotion Office and the Unmanned Systems Office” conducted yesterday. x.com/Japan_GSDF/sta…

#JGSDF established the Unmanned Defense Capability Promotion Office within the Policy & Program Division and the Unmanned Systems Office within the Logistics Management Division on April 8. JGSDF conducted an inauguration ceremony with the support of the Ground Component Command and the Fuji School to mark the establishment of the new offices and to enhance the morale of its personnel yesterday. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Koizumi, who presented the nameplates of the newly established offices and delivered a formal address. As technological innovation in the field of unmanned assets continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the JGSDF will further accelerate its initiatives to enhance capabilities and promote efforts in this domain.

#JGSDF participated in the “Women, Peace and Security (#WPS) Symposium” held in Kuala Lumpur from 8 to 9 April. This symposium marked a milestone in a new phase of WPS promotion within the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia (MINDEF), following the formulation of Malaysia’s National Action Plan on WPS and the WPS policy document of the MINDEF in the previous year. During the plenary session, the Chief of the WPS Promotion Office, Ground Staff Office, delivered a presentation to approximately 200 participants, including senior officials of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and WPS representatives from participating countries. The presentation highlighted the role of commanders in the promotion of WPS, the importance of transforming commanders’ mindsets, and Japan’s initiatives in this area. In addition, the JGSDF exchanged its views with senior officials of the MAF and representatives of participating countries, through which it gained a tangible sense of momentum for initiatives undertaken in cooperation with partnercountries across the region. JGSDF will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to promote the WPS agenda.

MG Tanaka, Judge Advocate General of the GSO, visited the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the NATO School, and the German Army Headquarters from 29 MAR to 3 APR 2026. During the visit, Major General Tanaka held discussions and exchanges of views with Deputy Director of the Legal Office of SHAPE Commandant of the NATO School and Chief Legal Officer of the German Army Headquarters. Based on the global security environment, they reaffirmed the importance of promoting exchanges in the legal field between Japan and NATO, as well as between Japan and Germany, and deepened mutual understanding regarding operations conducted in compliance with international humanitarian law. #JGSDF will continue to work with the armed forces of various countries to promote respect for international humanitarian law and enhance its effectiveness.

🇯🇵🇺🇸🇵🇭#JGSDF is participating in the #JPMRC / #Salaknib exercise currently being conducted in the Philippines. JGSDF 2nd Infantry Regiment, led by its commander, Colonel Shimada, took part in the opening ceremony held at Fort Magsaysay in Northern Luzon on 6 APR 2026. This marks JGSDF’s first time participating in this exercise. Through late MAY, a core element of the 2nd Infantry Regiment under the Eastern Army will conduct trilateral training with Japan, US, and the Philippines, exercising land operations under a modern operational environment, including electronic warfare and counter-unmanned aerial systems. As the security environment surrounding Japan continues to grow increasingly severe, JGSDF will work closely with the US - JPN ally and like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities.

#JGSDF held reorganization ceremony of the Supply Headquarters on 5 APR 2026 at Jūjō Station with the presence of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakabayashi. JGSDF continues to fundamentally strengthen sustainability and resilience toward a stronger organization.

#JGSDF held a ceremony to the new Logistics Support School, on 4 APR 2026 at Asaka Station with the presence of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakabayashi. JGSDF remains committed to strengthening logisticalcapabilities and developing highly skilled human resources for these operations.

🇯🇵🇺🇸#JGSDF Special Operations Group conducted a FTX（Field Training Exercise） with the US Army Special Operations Command from JAN to FEB, 2026. JSOG improved their special operations abilities and strengthened the response capabilities of the Japan-US Alliance.

🇯🇵🇦🇺#JGSDF Special Operations Group conducted joint training with the Australian and Canadian Special Forces in Australia in OCT 2025. Through these exercises, the Special Operations Group enhanced its operational capabilities in special operations and strengthened cooperation with partner nations’ special forces, thereby contributing to the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

#JGSDF successfully completed EHAT Training of Trainer Course conducted under UNTPP at JGSDF Engineer School on 27 MAR 2026. With the significant support from UNMAS and Australia, all 14 participants were certified as EHAT instructors, enhancing their skills in recognizing and avoiding explosive hazards. They are expected to be dispatched as EHAT instructors to upcoming TPP sessions to build the capacity of future peacekeepers. JGSDF will continue to contribute to improving the international security environment by supporting peacekeepers’ capacity-building.

🇯🇵🇺🇸GEN Arai and LTG Tokunaga, on 1 APR 2026, held a bilateral meeting and working luncheon with Gen Gering, Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. During the meeting, they sought to further build a relationship of trust with Gen Gering, who assumed his current position in October of last year, and exchanged views on the future direction of cooperation between JGSDF and the U.S. MC. #JGSDF will continue to further strengthen the relationship it has built with the U.S. MC.