Katsutoshi Kawano

Katsutoshi Kawano
Kawano (right) with RADM Sawyer of the United States Seventh Fleet
Born	November 1954 (age 60–61) Kanagawa, Japan
Allegiance	Japan
Service/branch	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Years of service	Since 1977 (Since 1977) (37–38 years ago)
Rank	Admiral
Awards	Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud

Katsutoshi Kawano (河野克俊, Katsutoshi Kawano, born November 28 1954)^[1] was the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the de facto navy of Japan.^[2][3][4] He was promoted to four-star Admiral and assumed the position on July 26, 2012. On 15 October 2014 he assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council^[5]

Career

Kawano was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving in a number of command and staff positions.

In 1991, then-Commander Kawano took command of the JS Oyodo, DE-231. In 1999, then-Captain Kawano took command of MSDF Escort Flotilla 3. In 2004, then-Rear Admiral Kawano took command of the MSDF Sasebo District. In 2008, Kawano took command of the Mine Warfare Force. His career was temporarily in jeopardy when a ship under his command, the JDS Atago (DDG-177), collided with a fishing boat and caused two fishermen to go missing.^[6] In 2010, then-Vice Admiral Kawano became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council. One year later, in 2011, he became Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet.^[7]

In 2012, Kawano was promoted to full Admiral and became Chief of Staff of the MSDF, replacing outgoing admiral Masahiko Sugimoto.^[8] As MSDF Chief of Staff, he has been deeply involved in the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.^[9]

Awards and honors

• – Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)^[10]

References

External links

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