Ryoichi Oriki, then Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Office, at the JSDF reflected on the role of the organization in responding to the disasters of 3/11. Disaster relief is a critical mission of the JSDF, given the country is exposed to earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters on a frequent basis. Resources are typically dispatched at the request of prefectural governors and other officials, unless there is an extreme urgency. The Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) was unique given its sheer power (9.0 on the Richter scale and a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic scale) over a region spanning the Tohoku to Kanto regions. The resulting tsunami measured as high as 16 m and destroyed coastal areas. Finally, the accident at the Daiichi Nuclear Power station in Fukushima added further unforeseen complexity. Over 16,000 people died and 4,000 were missing at the time of his remarks in 2011. As a result, the JSDF had to take on a central role, deploying 107,000 personnel, including taking on roles of other ministries and agencies, including the transport of bodies, transport of relief supplies, door-to-door visits to evacuation centers, and provision of basic supplies. As part of the response to the nuclear disasters, helicopters dropped water to cool the reactors, decontaminated radioactive material and evacuated residents in the surrounding area. Bilateral coordinate centers were established at the MOD in Ichigaya, at the USFJ headquarters in Yokata and JSDF headquarters in Sendai, where a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the ground, sea and air components of the JSDF were based. The JTF was dissolved on July 1 and the relief mission concluded on September 9. In the end, the JSDF was able to rescue approximately 19,000 people, about 70% of the total. In concluding, Oriki reflected on the heartfelt support of not just U.S. forces, but also those from Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and Israel. The JSDF’s response to the GEJE showcased its ability to uphold the three principles of its disaster relief mission - urgency, communality and non-sustainability – and reaffirmed its evolution into a dynamic defense force.
<p>Ryoichi Oriki, then Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Office, at the JSDF reflected on the role of the organization in responding to the disasters of 3/11. Disaster relief is a critical mission of the JSDF, given the country is exposed to earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters on a frequent basis. Resources are typically dispatched at the request of prefectural governors and other officials, unless there is an extreme urgency. The Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) was unique given its sheer power (9.0 on the Richter scale and a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic scale) over a region spanning the Tohoku to Kanto regions. The resulting tsunami measured as high as 16 m and destroyed coastal areas. Finally, the accident at the Daiichi Nuclear Power station in Fukushima added further unforeseen complexity. Over 16,000 people died and 4,000 were missing at the time of his remarks in 2011. As a result, the JSDF had to take on a central role, deploying 107,000 personnel, including taking on roles of other ministries and agencies, including the transport and burial of bodies, transport of relief supplies, door-to-door visits to evacuation centers, and provision of basic supplies. As part of the response to the nuclear disasters, helicopters dropped water to cool the reactors, decontaminated radioactive material and evacuated residents in the surrounding area. Bilateral coordinate centers were established at the MOD in Ichigaya, at the USFJ headquarters in Yokata and JSDF headquarters in Sendai, where a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the ground, sea and air components of the JSDF were based. The JTF was dissolved on July 1 and the relief mission concluded on September 9. In the end, the JSDF was able to rescue approximately 19,000 people, about 70% of the total. In concluding, Oriki reflected on the heartfelt support of not just U.S. forces, but also those from Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and Israel. The JSDF’s response to the GEJE showcased its ability to uphold the three principles of its disaster relief mission - urgency, communality and non-sustainability – and reaffirmed its evolution into a dynamic defense force.</p>