Special Boarding Unit

The Special Boarding Unit (特別警備隊, Tokubetsukeibitai) is a special forces unit established by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on March 27, 2001, in response to a spy ship incursion that had taken place on the Noto Peninsula in 1999.[4][5] The unit was created to perform similar roles to those undertaken by American Navy SEALs and the British SBS.[1] Its structure is based on that of the SBS.[6] It is based in Etajima, Hiroshima.[7]

Special Boarding Unit
特別警備隊
ActiveMarch 27, 2001 – present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
TypeSpecial forces
RoleSpecial operations
VBSS
SizeClassified,[1] estimated at 90 operators in 2007[2]
Part ofSelf Defense Fleet
Garrison/HQEtajima, Hiroshima
Nickname(s)SBU
Tokketai (In Japanese)
EngagementsBattle of Amami-Ōshima (Did not intervene)
Counter-piracy operations in Somalia[3]
Commanders
Current
commander		Kazuhiro Kuroki
Notable
commanders		Toru Yamaguchi
Insignia
Green SBU Patch
Blue SBU Patch
3 JSDF's SBU operators armed with M4 carbines next to a US Army Green Beret operator from 1st Battalion, 1st SFG (A) armed with his SOPMOD Block II variant M4A1 disembark from an MH-60S helicopter to take up fighting positions during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

The unit's roles involve maritime anti-terrorist duties, including operations where arms are known to be involved.[8][9] However, its duties and responsibilities overlap with those of the Special Security Team, the Japan Coast Guard's counter-terrorist unit.[10] However, the SST has the right to detain anyone lawfully.[11]

Information on SBU personnel, training and weapons is classified and not available.[12] Its operators wear balaclavas to protect their identities when operating where they can be seen.[13] Due to the nature of their duties and responsibilities, an amendment had been passed to raise their salaries.[14]

History

After a failed Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces mission to stop North Korean spy ships that were in Japanese territorial waters off the Noto Peninsula,[1][15] the SBU was established[9] with its headquarters in Etajima, Hiroshima.[7][16] The unit had conducted some covert training in Etajima after its creation, including exercises on boarding tactics to enter ships.[16] Training was completed in 2000, a year after the SBU was created.[17] A ship reported to have illegally entered Amami Ōshima was seen nearby, which led to the mobilization of the SBU.[17] The ship, however, was said to have been scuttled before they could intervene.[13] The unit made its existence known to the public in 2007 during a training exercise, which involved the deployment of Howa Type 89–armed SBU operators via RHIBs and SH-60J helicopters.[18][19]

When the unit was created, it had requested training with the US Navy SEALs, but had not been able to do so due lack of available personnel who could train the candidates.[13] To resolve this, the SBU had requested training assistance from the SBS to help in founding the unit.[6][13] A SBS instructor was sent to Japan from February to March 2000.[20]

In 2006, Iku Aso of the Shūkan Bunshun reported that the SBU was discreetly deployed to Iraq to work with American special forces in a mission to save Japanese nationals taken hostage under "Operation Babylon's Sakura", but they were never given the orders to intervene.[21]

It was announced in January 2009 by Yasukazu Hamada that the SBU would possibly be deployed for its first mission to Somalia to engage in anti-piracy operations.[15] The SBU was involved in anti-pirate exercises with the Samidare and the Sazanami at Bungo Channel between Shikoku and Kyushu on February 11, 2019.[22] SBU operators had left Japan on March 14, 2009, deployed on board the Murasame-class destroyer JDS DD-106 Samidare and the Takanami-class destroyer JDS DD-113 Sazanami.[23] The SBU would be deployed in operations with SH-60K helicopters.[24] The deployment was made under Article 82 of the SDF Law.[25]

Prior to the SBU's overseas deployment to Somalia, the unit had practiced alongside Japan Coast Guard units in simulating a raid on a pirate vessel played by JCG officers without any warning shots fired by SBU operators off the coast of Kure, Hiroshima with a total of 250 people participating, 60 from the JCG.[26] In the Somalian deployment, SBU forces don't have the power to detain suspected pirates, so JCG officers would be responsible for making arrests.[27]

In 2012, restrictions for female JMSDF personnel to join the SBU were lifted.[20]

The SBU was deployed in 2016 at the 42nd G7 summit, providing security alongside the Special Assault Team.[28] In 2017, they were deployed under the Combined Maritime Forces mandate from the JS Teruzuki.[29] During that time, the SBU responded to a boat that was drifting in the Gulf of Aden.[30]

SBU operators participated with the Commandos Marine in maritime exercises in August 2019.[31] The unit participated in the Malabar 2021 military exercises[32] with United States Naval Special Warfare Command and MARCOS commandos.[33]

Controversy

Controversy had developed from the SBU when a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces cadet had died during a supposed training exercise prior to admission to the unit when it was reported in October 2008.[1] The incident consisted of 15 levels of unarmed combat training.[9][34] The JMSDF has refused to provide more details on the incident, calling them classified material.[1] However, a special committee was established to determine whether the cadet's death was either under murder or an accident.[35] Investigators of the Criminal Investigation Command had assessed the incident.[36]

Reports on the incident have classified the events as a case of bullying by senior JMSDF sailors against junior sailors.[1] But the committee had suggested that the deceased cadet was killed accidentally after receiving a right hook punch by his 14th opponent during the exercise, specifically to the chin.[36]

Four JMSDF sailors were charged for their involvement in the cadet's death.[37]

A report filed by the Ministry of Defense recommended the implementation of stringent safety standards, especially on concerns when highly strenuous activities such as physical combat training is taking place.[9]

Foreign relations

The SBU has been involved in matters involving Asia-Pacific defense, with representatives sent to the Asia Pacific Defense Forum Summer 2002[38] and the Asia Pacific Defense Forum 2004.[39]

Formation

As of 2014, the SBU has six platoons with one main headquarters.[40]

90 operators are known to be in the SBU.[2]

Weapons and equipment

It is known that the SBU uses the Heckler & Koch MP5A5 as the primary submachine guns.[13] Their service assault rifle is the Howa Type 89,[6][18] M4 carbine and HK416,[13] while their sidearm is the SIG Sauer P226R.[13] The SBU has been armed with the SIG-Sauer MPX with 9mm and training versions acquired.[41][42]

Sniper rifles were purchased for the SBU under the 2004 defense budget under the JMSDF, but the type chosen has not been revealed to the public.[43] Although it's known that they use the Heckler & Koch MSG-90.[13]

The SBU has use of RHIBs for maritime operations[18] while SH-60J helicopters are used for aerial insertions during shipboarding missions.[19]

SBU operators in Somalia were spotted wearing Ops-Core helmets.[29]

Training

SBU candidates are schooled at the Naval Academy Etajima's 1st Service School.[1][9] Basic education is done at the school while the rest is done in a training program prior to recruitment.[9][1]

References
  1. Kakumi Kobayashi & Masato Kurosaki (2008-10-24). "Secrecy hampers SDF death probe". Kyodo News & The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  2. "自衛隊の部隊編成に関する質問に対する答弁書：答弁本文：参議院".
  3. "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.
  4. "Special Operations Units and Intelligence Organizations in Japan". 2004-04-19. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  5. James Brooke (2001-12-25). "Japan Says a Mystery Boat Fired Rockets at Its Ships". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  6. "The new Tokyo Marui AEG: MP5 Japanese Police/Military Version". Renegade Recon. 2004-05-13. Archived from the original on 2004-06-03.
  7. "DoS East Asia and Pacific Region, Japan, Exchange Training, FY 01" (PDF). State Department. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  8. Neville 2019, p. 111.
  9. 「海上自衛隊特別警備隊関係の課程学生の死亡事案について」 (in Japanese). Japanese Ministry of Defense. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  10. Nao Shimoyachi (2004-03-30). "GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  11. "日本にある「4つの特殊部隊」イベント前は結集して会議を". 18 May 2018.
  12. 「答申書 『大湊における寒冷地実習に関する特別警備隊一般命令』の一部開示決定に関する件」 (PDF) (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016.
  13. https://militarymatters.online/military-history/the-special-boarding-unit-%E7%89%B9%E5%88%A5%E8%AD%A6%E5%82%99%E9%9A%8A-japans-maritime-teeth/
  14. 「防衛庁設置法等の一部を改正する法律」 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
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  19. どう取り組む 海賊対策＜中＞排除できない「交戦」 制約多い特警隊の派遣 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  20. https://jieitaisaiyou.com/%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%8A%E8%87%AA%E8%A1%9B%E9%9A%8A-%E7%89%B9%E5%88%A5%E8%AD%A6%E5%82%99%E9%9A%8A/
  21. 麻生幾　『作家　麻生幾が緊急告発』「週刊文春」11月2日号、文芸春秋社、2006年
  22. "Destroyers hold drill ahead of Somali detail | the Japan Times". www.japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  23. https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/03/13/09/japan-orders-warships-somalia-anti-piracy-mission
  24. "Japan to send antipiracy mission to Somalia". www.asianewsnet.net. Archived from the original on 23 April 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  25. "Japan to send warships against Somalia pirates". www.themalaysianinsider.com.my. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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  28. "伊勢志摩サミット、街中が2万人の警官だらけの裏で、市街戦や航空機撃墜も想定されていた！".
  29. "海自特殊部隊「特別警備隊」らしき姿も…連合海上部隊がソマリア沖海賊対処任務の写真を投稿".
  30. https://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2017/press_pdf/p20170627_01.pdf
  31. "日仏がジブチで海上共同訓練を実施".
  32. https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202108/20210823.pdf
  33. "NSW Wraps up SOF Phase of MALABAR with Partner Nations".
  34. Julian Ryall (2008-10-23). "Japanese soldier killed by colleagues in 'farewell ritual'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2016-03-26. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  35. 海自特殊部隊員が１５人と格闘訓練し死亡、暴行の疑いも (in Japanese). 2008-10-14. Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  36. "MSDF petty officer died after 'training fight' against 15 people". The Japan Times. 2008-10-14. Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  37. "Four MSDF members in fatal 'training' fight face charges | the Japan Times". www.japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. "Special Operations Forces Roles in Operations other than War". Archived from the original on 2004-11-03. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  39. Maj. Jeremy L. Simmons. "PASOC: Confronting Terrorism and its Links to Transnational Threats". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  40. 特別警備隊の編制に関する訓令 (PDF) (in Japanese). Japanese Ministry of Defense. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  41. https://warp.da.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/11402418/www.mod.go.jp/atla/cals_koukoku/kokok/40-260/announcement20191127161606.pdf
  42. https://warp.da.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/11402418/www.mod.go.jp/atla/cals_koukoku/kokok/40-261/announcement20191127161848.pdf
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Bibliography
  • Neville, Leigh (2019). The Elite: The A–Z of Modern Special Operations Forces. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1472824295.
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