Shigeru Iwasaki
| Shigeru Iwasaki | |
|---|---|
 Iwasaki, left, being briefed by a member of the United States Air Force | |
| Born |
February 3, 1953 Iwate Prefecture |
| Allegiance |
 Japan |
| Service/branch | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Years of service |
Since 1975 (39–40 years ago) |
| Rank |
 General |
| Commands held | Air Defense Command |
Shigeru Iwasaki (岩崎茂 Shigeru Iwasaki, born February 3, 1953) is the 4th and current Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. A four-star General from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Iwasaki is the highest-ranking military officer in Japan and ranks third in the overall chain of command (after the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense).[1][2][3]
Career
Iwasaki was born and raised in Iwate Prefecture and attended Morioka Third High School. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating into the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 1975. He is trained to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Japan's primary jet fighter.[4]
In August 1991, then-Lieutenant Colonel Iwasaki took command of the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron. In December 1997, then-Colonel Iwasaki took command of the 7th Air Wing. In January 2001, then-Major General Iwasaki took command of the 2nd Air Wing.[5]
In December 2010, General Iwasaki became the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. As Chief of Staff, he spearheaded the effort to procure the fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.[6][7]
In January 2012, General Iwasaki was promoted to be Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council, becoming the highest-ranking official in the Japan Self-Defense Forces.[8] He replaced GSDF General Ryuichi Ariki, and his Vice Chief of Staff is currently Kōichi Isobe. He has presided over a number of significant national security issues, including the renewed Senkaku Islands dispute and the possible revision of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution (following the Liberal Democratic Party's landslide electoral victory in December 2012).
References
- ↑ Japan plans joint forces commander under joint staff chief | The Japan Times
- ↑ Shigeru Iwasaki
- ↑ ?http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/a-more-muscular-japan/2012/09/17/66d30c9c-ff80-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_gallery.html#photo=4
- ↑ INTERVIEW: Japan's military chief says F-35 is ‘best fighter’ - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
- ↑ Japan Defense Almanac 防衛年鑑（2010年版） ISBN 9784938468316 582頁
- ↑ Japan's military chief says F-35 is best fighter | Reuters
- ↑ Self Defense Forces chief says F-35′s are the best choice for Japan - The Japan Daily Press
- ↑ Chief of Staff,JS | Japan JS Official Website
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shigeru Iwasaki. |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ryoichi Oriki |
Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council Japan Self-Defense Forces 2012-Present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Kenichiro Hokazono |
Chief of Staff Japan Air Self-Defense Force 2010-2012 |
Succeeded by Haruhiko Kataoka |