1 Japan s International Disaster Relief Activities Yukihiro SUKISAKI Deputy Director International Policy Planning Division Bureau of Defense Policy Japan Defense Agency

2 Contents 1 Outline of the International Disaster Relief Law 2 Outline of Japan Disaster Relief Team 2.1 Civilian Teams 2.2 Japan Self Defense Force Units 3 Japans Efforts for Regional Cooperation - The Tokyo Defense Forum -

3 1 Outline of the International Disaster Relief Law The Law concerning Dispatch of International Disaster Relief Teams was enacted in In 1992, the Law was amended to enable the Japan Self Defense Forces to participate in international disaster relief operations.

4 2 Outline of Japan Disaster Relief Team 2.1 Civilian Teams Rescue Team - Search & Rescue Operations, First Aid, etc. Medical Team - Emergency Medical Treatment Expert Team - Technical Advice to prevent the occurrence or spread of disasters

5 Rescue Team Personnel –Police forces, Fire-defense organs, Japan Coast Guard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICA – members Relief Activities –Search and Rescue, First Aid, Transport of disaster victims to a safer place Equipment –Rock drills, Electric cutter, Sound detectors, etc. Period of activities –Approx. 1 week Number of dispatch –12 teams (since 1987)

6 Medical Team Personnel –Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Paramedics, MOFA officers, JICA staffs (Coordinator) –10-20 members Relief Activities –Emergency medical treatment in its own field clinic Equipment –Medical equipment, Medicines, etc. Period of Activities –Approx. 2 weeks Number of dispatch –44 teams (since 1987)

7 Japan Self Defense Force Units Japan Self Defense Force Units Procedures –Foreign Minister consults with Minister of State for Defense. –Minister of State for Defense orders the SDF to dispatch its units. Areas –Mainly the Asia-Pacific region Relief Activities –Medical Services such as first aid medical treatment and epidemic prevention –Transportation of goods, patients and disaster relief personnel by helicopter –Water Supplies using water-purifying devices Note: JSDF may use transport planes and transport ships for relief activities.

8 Major Operational Policy –First dispatch within 48 hours after the order –Second dispatch within 5 days –Contingent arrival within approx. 2 weeks Period of activities –Approx. 3 weeks after the arrival of the second dispatch Units Readiness –GSDF First dispatch: Medical unit (include 2 doctors) Second dispatch: Medical unit (include 11 doctors), 3 of UH-1s, 3 of CH-47s, 2 of Supply water sets –MSDF: 1 of AOE, 1 of LST, 1 of DD/DDH –ASDF: 6 of C-130Hs* *Readiness has been released since the order for the supporting OIF.

9 –Nov-Dec 1998, Honduras (Hurricane), Medical Service –Sep-Nov 1999, Turkey (Earthquake), Maritime Transport –Feb 2001, India (Earthquake), Air Transport –Dec Jan 2004, Iran (Earthquake), Air Transport –Dec Mar 2005, Indonesia/Thailand (Earthquake/Tsunami), SAR/ Medical Service/Air Transport/Maritime Transport –Oct-Nov 2005, Pakistan (Earthquake), Air Transport –May-June 2006, Central Java (Earthquake), Medical Service Disaster Relief Operations by JSDF

10 3 Japan s Efforts for Regional Cooperation - The Tokyo Defense Forum - The Tokyo Defense Forum (TDF) –Hosted by Japan Defense Agency every year since –With participation of defense authorities in the Asia-Pacific region and other relevant organizations (EU, UN OCHA, the ASEAN Secretariat, etc.) The recent TDF meetings –Taking up International Cooperation in Disaster Relief as a topic. –Emphasizing the importance of efforts to develop strategies and procedures for quick and smooth cooperation. –The outcomes reported to the ARF meetings.

11 The 11 th Committee of TDF (Tokyo, JAPAN, 23 rd -26 th October 2006) Theme –Efforts to Develop Strategies and Procedures for International Cooperation and Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Relief Operations Objectives –To share information about existing or on-going efforts –To identify necessary strategies and procedures –To explore how to develop such efforts Agenda (Provisional) –Session 1: Efforts to develop strategies and procedures at intergovernmental level –Session 2: Efforts to promote military cooperation and coordination at operational level –Session 3: Efforts to develop strategies and procedures for civil-military coordination in disaster relief operations

12 THANK YOU ! - ARIGATO- Questions ?