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Wednesday March 28, 5:38 PMGSDF launches quick terror-response division(Kyodo) _ The Ground Self-Defense Force on Wednesday launched a 3,200-member agile division to enhance Japan's capabilities in dealing with terrorism and guerrilla attacks and to promote international peacekeeping efforts.Gen. Joshu Yamaguchi assumed his duties as the first commander of the so-called central quick-response division headquartered at the GSDF's Asaka garrison in Tokyo's Nerima Ward. In an inauguration ceremony held at the garrison, Yamaguchi said, "I will do my utmost to train it into a powerful and energetic unit." Placed under the direct control of the defense minister, the division includes a special counterterrorism operation brigade, a convoy of helicopters and a training unit for troops to be dispatched overseas for international peacekeeping operations. The move came after overseas activities were upgraded in January into one of the Self-Defense Forces' main duties from their previous subordinate status in line with the former Defense Agency's transformation into a ministry. The six GSDF officers to be sent to Nepal in April for a U.N. military observer mission are also members of this division. The division is planned to have 4,100 members by the end of March next year by setting up additional units, such as one to be an advance team for overseas deployment. Its headquarters will be relocated by fiscal 2012 to Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the U.S. Army in Japan is headquartered. |
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