On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, as part of an annual event, the Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) hosted an online event in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA). This event highlighted the 10th anniversary of Operation TOMODACHI, a major U.S.-Japan joint effort undertaken following the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent triple disaster. JUMP was pleased to welcome H.E. Koji Tomita, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States, for opening remarks, followed by remarks from Major General Hiroyuki Sugai, Air and Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, Washington, D.C. Lastly, Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, USN (Ret.) and General Ryoichi Oriki, JGSDF (Ret.) delivered keynote speeches reflecting on the success of Operation TOMODACHI.
This event was presented through JUMP, which connects past and present service members, families, and government civilians who have served in Japan through social networks and grassroots events. The event was held virtually via Zoom. Attendees included distinguished guests from the Washington D.C. policy community, academic think tanks, and former and current members of the military and government. Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs at Sasakawa USA, moderated the panel and facilitated audience commentary.
A part of a ten-year commemoration of 3/11, the Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) hosted an online event in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA). Several speakers shared their recollections and perspectives as part of opening remarks and keynote speeches followed by additional speakers who reinforced key points. The former included the following:
Ambassador Koji Tomita highlighted the severe magnitude of the disaster and the inability of the Japan's high-tech defenses to properly address it. Despite that, the Japanese people demonstrated great dignity and resilience in the face of the tragedy, and the contribution of U.S. forces would always inspire gratitude by the population.
Maj. Gen. Hiroyuki Sugai offered condolences to victims but remarked that the anniversary was not one of just one of tragedy but also of Operation TOMODACHI, when U.S. forces, alongside their Japanese counterparts, demonstrated a spirt of friendship and cooperation to face current global challenges.
Adm. Partrick Walsh reflected on the apocalyptic nature of the tragedy and how, under such circumstances, one can see the brotherhood of humanity. He pointed to the unified efforts involving U.S. forces, the JSDF, the U.S. and Japanese governments, and 50 NGOs that demonstrated the friendship of the U.S.-Japan alliance. In particular, the information sharing hubs created in USFJ headquarters in Yokota and JSDF headquarters in Ichigaya demonstrated the level of coordination that made Operation TOMODACHI successful. He concluded by saying he would never forget the grace of the Japanese people.
Gen. Ryoichi Oriki remarked that the disaster was a complicated event and that the JSDF response was the largest and most difficult mission it had ever undertaken. He highlighted the joint task force formed in 2011 was only five years after the JSDF integrated its own service components. He was particular surprised by the quick response of U.S. forces, including the dispatching of the USS Ronald Regan, the provision of a Global Hawk UAV to survey the damage in Fukushima, and the sharing of nuclear know-how. And despite running tensions during that period, his concerns about USFJ service members operating in local areas in direct contact with the Japanese people ultimately proved unfounded.