Central Readiness Force

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Central Readiness Force
Image:Central Readiness Force insignia.gif
Official Central Readiness Force insignia
Active March 28, 2007 - Present
Country Japan
Branch Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
Type Special Forces
Role Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare, Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism
Size 3,200 soldiers
Part of Controls 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, the Japanese Special Operations Group and the 101st NBC Protection Unit
Garrison/HQ Nerima, Tokyo
Nickname CRF
Battles/wars United Nations Mission in Nepal
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi

The Central Readiness Force (中央即応集団 Chūō Sokuō Shūdan?) was recently established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Minstry from the former Japanese Defense Agency. Based in Asaka's Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) base in Nerima, Tokyo, the unit has the capability of responding to any situation in either Japanese or foreign soil. The unit can also be Japan's response to any combat operations in further peacekeeping missions as a rapid reaction force. [1]

The CRF had a formal ceremony in the same base on March 31, 2007. Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma was the guest of honor in formally inaugurating the force. Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi (山口淨秀陸将? Yamaguchi Josho Chūjō) is the first and current commanding officer of the CRF. [2]

Contents

[edit] History

Masked JGSDF soldiers attached to the CRF during the ceremony at the JGSDF's Asaka camp in Nerima, Tokyo.
Masked JGSDF soldiers attached to the CRF during the ceremony at the JGSDF's Asaka camp in Nerima, Tokyo.

Formed on March 28, 2007, the CRF has consolidated the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, the Japanese Special Operations Group and the 101st NBC Protection Unit into a single force meant to conduct operations in domestic and foreign soil. [3]

On March 31, the Central Readiness Force had held its formal ceremony at the JGSDF's Asaka base in Nerima, Tokyo, which included guests such as Fumio Kyuma and Josho Yamaguchi, the former presideng over the formal establishment of the CRF.

6 of its officers left for Nepal as participants of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). Prior to arriving in the country, they were not allowed to engage against Maoist rebels due to Article 9 regulations except for self-defense [4]. They are scheduled to return by March 31, 2008.

[edit] Staff

[edit] List of Chiefs of Staff

Name (English) Name (Japanese) Year of Appointment Previous Position
Josho Yamaguchi 山口淨秀 (Yamaguchi Josho) March 28, 2007 Western Army Chief of Staff

[edit] List of Deputy Commander for Domestic Operations

Name (English) Name (Japanese) Year of Appointment Previous Position
Toshiaki Tanaka 田中敏明 (Tanaka Toshiaki) March 28, 2007 Northern Army Vice Chief of Staff

[edit] List of Deputy Commander for International Operations

Name (English) Name (Japanese) Year of Appointment Previous Position
磯部晃一 March 28, 2007 Eastern Army Vice Chief of Staff

[edit] List of Chiefs of Staff

Name (English) Name (Japanese) Year of Appointment Previous Position
福田築 March 28, 2007 Eastern Army Commanding Officer, Defense Plans & Operations Department

[edit] List of Vice Chiefs of Staff

Name (English) Name (Japanese) Year of Appointment Previous Position
本庄俊弘 & 滝澤博文 March 28, 2007 Eastern Army Commanding Officer, Defense Plans & Operations Department

[edit] Structure

The structure of the CRF has been created with the following established for its headquarters:

[edit] Chain of Command

  • Commander (Lieutenant General)
    • Deputy Commander for Domestic Operations (Major General)
    • Deputy Commander for International Operations (Major General)
  • Chief of Staff (Colonel)
  • Vice Chief of Staff (2 officers with rank of Colonel)

[edit] Divisions

  • Personnel
  • Information
  • Defense Plans & Operations
  • Logistics
  • Administration
  • Accounting
  • Communications
  • National Welfare

[edit] Personnel

  • Reporting Officer
  • Army Surgeon
  • Inspector
  • Law Officer
  • Staff Manager
  • Adjutant

[edit] Formation

[edit] Current

[edit] Future

The following units are scheduled to be integrated into the Central Readiness Force by March 2008

  • Central Readiness Regiment - Utsonomiya with 700 personnel
  • Central NBC Protection Unit - Ōmiya-ku, Saitama with 155 personnel, scheduled for reorganization
  • Anti-NBC Medical Unit - Asaka with 70 personnel

[edit] Future Plan

Under future plans to unify cooperation between Japan and the United States, the Central Readiness Force's headquarters will eventually be transferred out to Camp Zama by the year 2012. [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ GSDF launches quick terror-response division. Retrieved on April 1, 2007.
  2. ^ Central Readiness Force Greetings Page. Retrieved on April 1, 2007. (Japanese)
  3. ^ Central Readiness Force Organization Page. Retrieved on April 1, 2007. (Japanese)
  4. ^ SDF officers arrive in Nepal for U.N. mission. Retrieved on April 1, 2007.
  5. ^ Washington, Tokyo near unified command. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.

[edit] External Links

In other languages