Central Readiness Force

The Central Readiness Force (中央即応集団, Chūō Sokuō Shūdan) was established on March 28, 2007,[2] following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency.[3][4] It was initially based at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo.

Central Readiness Force
中央即応集団
Chūō Sokuō Shūdan
Central Readiness Force insignia
ActiveMarch 28, 2007 – March 26, 2018
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeRapid Reaction Force
RoleSpecial operations
Direct Action
Air assault
Unconventional Warfare
Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism
Counter-Piracy operations
Airborne assault
Anti-NBC Warfare
Aerial Transportation
Military Training Units
Size≈4,500 personnel
Garrison/HQCamp Zama, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture
Nickname(s)CRF
EngagementsUnited Nations Mission in Nepal
United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone
United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
Counter-piracy operations in Somalia[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt. Gen. Shigeru Kobayashi
Notable
commanders		Josho Yamaguchi

The command supervises a number of different units, whose roles range from special forces operations to advance preparation for greater JSDF deployments. The unit can also be deployed as Japan's response to combat operations during peacekeeping missions as a rapid reaction force.[5]

On 26 March 2013, the force was officially transferred to Camp Zama, in Sagamihara, in the Kanagawa Prefecture. As a part of the Japanese government's National Defense Program Guidelines which were developed in response to the need to improve the JGSDF's capabilities to deal with new defense issues such as foreign peacekeeping operations and anti-terrorist operations.[5]

The CRF held a formal ceremony at Camp Askaka on March 31, 2007, during which Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, who was the guest of honour, formally inaugurated the force. Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi (山口淨秀 陸将, Yamaguchi Josho Rikushō) was the CRF's first commanding officer.[5] The last commander of the CRF is Lt. Gen. Shigeru Kobayashi, who was appointed on July 1, 2016.

History

Formed on March 28, 2007, the CRF was established, consolidating the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, the Japanese Special Forces Group and the 101st NBC Protection Unit into a single force capable of conduct operations both in Japan and in foreign countries.[5][6] On March 31, 2007, the Central Readiness Force held a formal inauguration ceremony at JGSDF Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, which included guests such as Fumio Kyuma and Josho Yamaguchi, the former presiding over the formal establishment of the CRF.[6]

The CRF was deployed on its first civil disaster mission on April 29, 2007, when it was dispatched to quell wildfires in the forests of the Yamanashi Prefecture, with the 1st Helicopter Brigade being deployed after its integration to the force.[7] The CRF later conducted a military exercise on October 31, 2007, with its subordinate units participating in a wide range of scenarios from anti-NBC cleanup to personnel transportation and evacuation.

Six officers from the CRF were deployed to Nepal as part of the United Nations Mission in Nepal on March 30, 2007, as part of their first CRF peacekeeping mission.[8][9]] A CRF officer deployed to Nepal as part of the UNMIN was decorated for completing his duties in monitoring the ceasefire between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels.[10] The officers returned to Japan on March 18, 2008.[11] Four CRF officers under the UNDOF's transport unit were deployed to France as Japanese representatives on July 14, 2008, for its annual Bastille Day Military Parade celebration.[12] The CRF was deployed to assist in the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in humanitarian relief efforts, as well as to combat radiation problems at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.[13][14]

The CRF has been deployed in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Asahi Shimbun wrote in January 2015 of plans to reinforce the JSDF base in Djibouti, Africa including mobilizing light armored vehicles to rescue Japanese citizens by land routes.[15]

The CRF was disbanded on 26 March 2018 and units previously under CRF, with the exception of Special Forces Group (replaced by the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade), were restructured and integrated into the newly formed Ground Component Command (陸上総隊) on 27 March 2018.[16][17] The GCC is based at Camp Asaka.[18]

Command Group
PositionName (Japanese)RankDay of AppointmentPrevious Position
Commanding GeneralShigeru Kobayashi (小林茂)Lieutenant GeneralJuly 1, 2016Vice-president, National Defense Academy
Vice Commanding General(橋爪良友)Major GeneralMarch 27, 2017Vice Chief of Staff, Central Army
(野村悟)March 27, 2017Chief of Staff, 8th Division
Chief of Staff(豊田真)ColonelDecember 18, 2015Commander, 10th Engineer Group (Construction)
Vice Chief of Staff(宮嵜浩一)August 1, 2016Commander, Camp Rumoi and 26th Infantry Regiment
(仲川剛)March 23, 2017Chief of Staff, 13th Brigade

Structure

The structure of the CRF has been created with the following established for its headquarters:

Chain of command
  • Commander (Lieutenant General)
    • Deputy Commander for Domestic Operations (Major General)
    • Deputy Commander for International Operations (Major General)
  • Chief of Staff (Colonel)
  • Vice Chief of Staff (2 officers with rank of Colonel)

Divisions
  • Personnel
  • Intelligence
  • Defense Plans & Operations
  • Logistics
  • Administration
  • Accounting
  • Communications
  • National Welfare

Personnel
  • Reporting Officer
  • Army Surgeon
  • Inspector
  • Law Officer
  • Staff Manager
  • Adjutant

Formation

The following is the formation of the CRF in 2017:[19][4]

Symbols

The following are represented in the insignia and patch of the Central Readiness Force:

CRF insignia
The official insignia of the Central Readiness Force.
Japanese Archipelago and Red Circle surrounding it – CRF's mandate to operate in Japanese soil.[21]
Laurel – Hope for a successful mission.[21]
Purple Shadow – CRF's joint cooperation with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces.[21]

The insignia symbolizes the CRF's mandate to operate in Japanese soil.[21]

CRF patch
The official patch of the Central Readiness Force.
Globe – CRF's mandate to operate anywhere around the world.[21]
Cherry Blossoms – CRF's commanding officer.[21]
Red Circle – Japan.[21]

The patch symbolizes the CRF's mandate to operate in foreign territory as a representative of Japan in Peacekeeping missions.[21]

References
  1. "2ND LD: Japan orders MSDF dispatch for antipiracy mission off Somalia". iStockAnalyst. 2009-03-13. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  2. "（解説）中央即応集団".
  3. "Japan launches counter-terrorism force". chinapost.com.tw. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  4. "The GDSF Central Readiness Force" (PDF). Japan Ministry of Defense. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-14. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  5. 中央即応集団 《朝霞》 3200名、編成を完結 [Central Readiness Force "Asaka" 3200 people, complete the organization.]. Self-Defense Force News (in Japanese). 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  6. 国際活動をめぐる陸上自衛隊の組織改編 鈴 木 滋 [Reorganization of the Ground Self-Defense Force over international activities Shigeru Suzuki] (PDF). NDL.go.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-13.
  7. 山梨県甲州市勝沼町山林火災災害派遣 （第１ヘリコプター団） [Yamanashi Prefecture Koshu katsunuma forest fire disaster relief (1st Helicopter Brigade)]. Japan Ministry of Defense (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-05-19.
  8. ネパールへの国際平和協力法に基づく軍事監視要員の派遣について [Dispatch of military surveillance personnel to Nepal based on the International Peace Cooperation Act]. MoD.go.jp (in Japanese). 2007-03-26. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23.
  9. 国連ネパール政治ミッションへの軍事監視要員の派遣について [Dispatch of military surveillance personnel to the United Nations political mission in Nepal]. Japan Ministry of Defense (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-03-24.
  10. 第4次軍事監視要員の帰国出迎え [4th military surveillance personnel return home] (in Japanese). 2018-01-23. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25.
  11. "International Peace Cooperation Activities in Nepal". Japan Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  12. "Central Readiness Forcee". Japan Ministry of Defense. Archived from the original on 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  13. "GSDF special forces unite in water-spraying mission". Daily Yomiuri. 2011-03-22. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23.
  14. "Operation Order: The Great East Japan Earthquake". Japan Ministry of Defense. 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  15. "Japan to reinforce SDF anti-piracy base in Djibouti for broader Middle East responses". The Asahi Shimbun. 2015-02-11. Archived from the original on 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  16. 神奈川）陸自の中央即応集団が廃止 座間駐屯地に５年 [Kanagawa) GSDF's central ready group abolished in Zama station for 5 years]. asahi.com (in Japanese). 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  17. 陸上総隊 [Ground Component Command]. Japan Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  18. "Japan's GSDF undergoes biggest shake-up amid N. Korea, China tensions". Archived from the original on 2021-04-05.
  19. "Japan Ground Self-Defense Force/Central Readiness Force/organization". Japan Ministry of Defense (in Japanese). 2013-01-24. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  20. Aoi, C.; Heng, Y. (2014). Asia-Pacific Nations in International Peace Support and Stability Operations. Palgrave Macmillan US. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-137-36695-5.
  21. "CRF insignia and symbol". Japan Ministry of Defense. Archived from the original on 2008-02-24. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
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