Following US and China, Japan Unifies Military Branches Under Single Command

Japan has set up a joint operational command for its Self-Defense Forces (SDF), emulating a significant step taken by both the US and China to enhance their preparedness for potential conflict.

The SDF Joint Operations Command will streamline coordination among Japan’s ground, maritime, and air forces, ensuring a more effective and unified response in the event of an attack.

Previously, Japan’s chief of staff of the Joint Staff was responsible for ensuring the military branches operated in unison. This role also involved advising the defense minister on SDF operations.

However, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami exposed the overwhelming demands on the chief of staff, particularly during large-scale crises.

The creation of a joint command, headed by a general, will allow the chief of staff to focus on supporting the defense minister, while the new command structure will facilitate quicker decision-making and response during conflicts.

The SDF Joint Operations Command is based at the Ministry of Defense and staffed with approximately 240 personnel.

‘Maintaining a Flexible Defense Posture’

In modern warfare, close collaboration between military branches is crucial to ensure they operate in unison toward a common objective.

The US, China, and other countries have already implemented joint command structures to enhance coordination and improve their operational effectiveness in conflict.

In Japan, the SDF Joint Operations Command aims to strengthen the military as a “more capable fighting force,” especially as tensions continue to rise with regional rivals China and North Korea.

“With the establishment of the Joint Operations Command, the SDF will be able to command its units centrally on a day-to-day basis, enabling it to maintain a flexible defense posture in response to developing events,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi explained.

Once fully operational, the joint command will be granted broad authority, including force allocation and the leadership of cross-domain operations, potentially including outer space and cyberspace.