Support and opposition at Yonaguni: "Resolutely against inviting the SDF" (top) vs "Inviting the SDF to Yonaguni is the people's dearest wish" (bottom) (Source: Kyodo/Reuters)
Recent days have seen the Ministry of Defense reportedly considering land purchases from Yonaguni Town at in the southwest of the island – placing a request for procurement funds out of the FY2012 budget. This seaward-looking turn for the Ground Self-Defense Force has been a subject of interest for a while here at JSW, thus it is time for an update.
The latest news shows a progression towards the eventual deployment of the coastal monitoring unit (which is as yet unnamed). What we now see is that a site has been picked and that plans are on track, so long as the residents play ball.
According to a Kyodo report in Mainichi Shimbun:
The plan is in line with the ministry’s five-year medium-term defense buildup program from fiscal 2011, under which Japan will beef up the presence of Ground Self-Defense Force troops on the remote southwestern Nansei Islands, including Yonaguni Island, as a costal monitoring unit.
The ministry plans to construct the monitoring station on 15 to 20 hectares of the 125-hectare farm, currently used for the grazing of around 60 cows and horses, according to the officials.
It would build the unit building and quarters as well as a heliport within four years so that the unit can monitor the movements of foreign vessels in the East China Sea using optical equipment and radar.
Yonaguni Mayor Shukichi Hokama has shown readiness to accept the unit amid expectations it would have a positive impact on the local economy, but some residents are opposed, arguing there is no need for more defense force bases in Okinawa. Okinawa Prefecture hosts a bulk of U.S. forces stationed in Japan.
47News carried a Kyodo report with a little more detail on the division between Yonaguni residents, roughly translated by yours truly:
Residents react strongly against the planned MoD acquisition of municipal land on Yonaguni Island
Concerning the creation of a new Ground Self-Defense Force coastal monitoring unit in the Nansei-Shoto islands in Japan’s southwest, the Ministry of Defense plans to purchase municipal land from Yonaguni Town on Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, upon which it will build a base, MoD officials confirmed in interviews on August 20th. It is believed that an official request for funds to purchasing and building on the land will be made for budget next year.
In Yonaguni Town at a presentation for residents held in July, the town was divided between support and opposition to the deployment of troops, but it is possible that opposition to the plan will strengthen before consensus building negotiations begin.
Concerned over Chinese naval activitiy in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the passage of a Chinese fleet between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima, the government’s Midterm Defense Program (FY2011-2015) clearly stated, “The GSDF will establish a new coastal surveillance unit, and will begin to form a first-response unit to station in the island areas of southwestern Japan.” Surveys are being conducted prior to GSDF deployment to Yonaguni.
The full text of that quote from the MDP goes on to read: ”The GSDF will establish a new coastal surveillance unit [...] to gather intelligence, monitor situations, and respond swiftly when incidents occur.” Later, it adds:
As described [above], the GSDF will establish a new coastal surveillance unit, and will begin to form a first-response unit to station in the island areas of southwestern Japan, to establish regular ISR and to respond swiftly. It will also assign mobile ground-based radar to the southwestern islands in order to reinforce a seamless ISR posture. Further, maintenance infrastructure for early warning aircraft (E-2C) will be developed in the southwestern region for continuous steady-state operations.
The shape and details of the unit have yet to be made known, and I have a feeling that the battle for Yonaguni has barely begun: watch this space.
[H/T Grey Havoc and Tri-Ring]
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A former contributor to World Intelligence (Japan Military Review), James Simpson joined Japan Security Watch in 2011, migrating with his blog Defending Japan. He has a Masters in Security Studies from Aberystwyth University and is currently living in Kawasaki, Japan.
His primary interests include the so-called 'normalization' of Japanese security (i.e. militarization), and the political impact of the abduction issue with North Korea.
James Simpson has 254 post(s) on Japan Security Watch
20 comments
Grey Havoc says:
Aug 21, 2011
In the line of equipment, one thing I'd suspect we'll be seeing is a GSDF Type 81 Fire Unit being detached to the monitoring station to provide some organic air defense for the outpost.
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 22, 2011
Probably some Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile as well to defend against the first wave.
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Grey Havoc says:
Aug 22, 2011
Tri-ring Posted August 22, 2011 at 7:08 AM:
"Probably some Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile as well to defend against the first wave."
The coastal surveillance unit would probably would provide early warning and targeting information to locally deployed elements of the Western Army's 5th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment in wartime (I don't know if any such elements are deployed full time on Yonaguni in peacetime). I don't think they would directly assign any Type 88 equiped units to the monitoring station itself. Although the location of mobile or shelter based Type 96 systems at the station is a possibility. Also, there are also likely to be some Type 79s stored in the armoury for emergencies.
One thing is for certain, based on current doctrine, the station will be hooked into both the GSDF's G-net and the MSDF's Spacebird system. I wouldn't be surprised if it is also to have secure terminals linked to the BADGE (ASDF) and JIPNET-S (MOD) networks. Along with direct hotlines to the Joint intelligence Division (DIH/JSO) and Western Army Headquarters as backups.
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 23, 2011
Considering the possible scenario of invasion of Yonaguni, I believe it will be divided into four parts.
1) Penetration by special ops acting as long stay tourists. Their objective is to identify and paint any and all military equipment that will become threat to the main force.
2) Special forces infiltration by either parachute or by long swim. Their objective is to set time precision explosives on identified targets coordinating detonation with first air assault.
3) Air strike to destroy communication system, defense facilities and other major identified targets.
4) Landing troops through amphibious strike force.
The defending side will not notice major strike is eminent until air strike force shows up so it will be a matter of hide and seek as well as cops and robbers.
Counter defensive for 1) is the job of the Police department public security section and the Cabinet Research Office. To stop 2) depends all on catching 1).
If threat of 1) and 2) is eliminated, warding off 3) and 4) would not be a problem.
As defense we will probably need a juicy target as bait that is recognizable to the naked eye.
The other problem would be the local resident resistance not wanting the island fortified to the naked eye which will take some creative thinking.
I also believe that if and when the V-22 is adopted by the JSDF two or three will be stationed at Yonaguni as a patrol craft.
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Grey Havoc says:
Aug 23, 2011
If you are thinking of the proposed ASW/MR variant of the V-22, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (the most likely licensee) is, IMHO, unlikely to be able to get a licence to develop and produce such a variant until at least later this decade. Of course, KHI might be able to get a licence to produce the MV-22 or even CV-22 before then.
I've been doing a bit of research on the mobile radar front, and I think that the system that the JGSDF is planning to use in the southwestern islands might be the J/TPS-102 Self-propelled ground-based 3-D radar [Air Defence/Early Warning] manufactured by NEC, although until now that appears to have been solely a JASDF system and likely would require some modification for GSDF purposes.
Alternatively, it could be an aerostat based surveillance system (perhaps using a development of the JTPS−P15 radar as it's primary long range sensor?), although I haven't yet found hard info on any GSDF systems or projects that fit the bill. I'll keep a weather eye out.
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 24, 2011
You may say I am naive but I believe it will be much sooner on the condition that Japan funds fully the cost to develop the ASW/MR variant and Boeing has full access to the system including marketing rights.
I believe this variant will become a hot seller since the potential will be enormous. It has VSTOL capabilities so it can be launched from a frigate and will triple the scanning range compared to a conventional helicopter with triple the payload and double the speed.
Any navy will drool for an equipment with that kind of ability.
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James Simpson says:
Aug 25, 2011
Personally, I think you are both being far too optimistic in your assessments of the disposition and kit that the new unit is likely to have. In the short-term, at least, I expect they will be pretty much barebones. I imagine they will be sharing systems deployed elsewhere in the Ryukyus and basically impotent. Until there are more details, I wouldn't want to hazard a guess at how much so though…
Once we know more, and once I have to time to knuckle down again, then we'll try and see just what is what
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Grey Havoc says:
Aug 25, 2011
Speaking of sharing assets from elsewhere, do you think the Western Army Infantry Regiment(Light) will be directly involved in the setting up of the station, say contributing a rapid reaction platoon for basing there, for example?
In related news, the PRC is stirring the pot again: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T11082500594…
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Kyle Mizokami says:
Aug 26, 2011
I think it's unwise that any significant defenses be stationed on Yonaguni. I've previously said that SAMs and SSMs emplaced in hardened silos are the way to go, but I've had second thoughts. As Japan learned about 100 times in the Pacific War, once you lose air and sea superiority around an island, a subsequent amphibious operation is always 100% successful, no matter what the defenses. Emplacing defenses on Yonaguni just means an adversary will subject it to bombardment, risking the lives of the island's civilians.
I can see air and sea surveillance units and a small security force stationed the island, but that's about it. The defense of the island has to be mounted at sea, shouldered by Japan's destroyer and submarine force. Japan's tactical objective should be to maintain air and sea superiority around the island to make a landing impractical. Should it lose that, the backup should be anti-access capabilities such as mines and submarines.
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 26, 2011
Probably right but I cannot foresee a flotilla loitering around the island nor will the islanders accept warships stationed on/near the island. So the garrison stationed on the island will need to ward off the first wave till reinforcements arrive. As I have suggested earlier both sides will want to secure the airfield to fortified the island after the first wave strikes.
The invading force will also require the help of the locals after they had landed so I do not think flat out carpet bombing would be an option.
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Robert says:
Aug 26, 2011
Well haven't they already said that is simply a monitoring station to keep an eye on foreign naval,air and other activity around the southern islands.That to me does not really open itself up to a lot of defensive type personnel and equipment.
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 26, 2011
You really do not need a hundred people to man a listening post, in fact I don't think you need more then 10 including guards.
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James Simpson says:
Aug 26, 2011
I beg to differ: the 301st Coastal Observation Unit up in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, (the likely model for the new unit at Yonaguni) is composed of around 90 people and the 302nd at Shibetsu is composed of around 80 people.
In the GSDF, it takes 10 people to make a sandwich!
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Tri-ring says:
Aug 26, 2011
In which both examples are considered redundant and planned to be disbanded. They both reside in a vice camp and for 301 unit with the advent of the Maruyama radar, it is said that the 301 unit is prolong due to local economy and 302 was scheduled to be disbanded until the 3/11 earthquake.
Both unit's surveillance operation is scheduled to be handled by the Northern Army Millitary Intelligence stationed in camp Sapporo.
It is more likely they will be organized like the 13th brigade 13th reconnaissance unit stationed at Camp Izumo.
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James Simpson says:
Aug 27, 2011
Why the 13th Recon? They seem pretty poorly suited to the kind of mission being sought for the unit at Yonaguni. Isn't it most likely that they will primarily be an ELINT/MASINT force along the lines of the units in Hokkaido that, while now obsolete due to force reposturing and equipment obsolescence, are similarly designated and tasked?
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Robert says:
Aug 29, 2011
I still think that this is going to be just what the Japanese say it will be for the short to medium term,a monitoring unit stuck in the middle of nowhere to satify some basic observation needs.I do think that one possible reason for the announced manning level is A: help swing it with the locals as an economic help(we are going to station 100 guys with money in their pockets vs.10 to 15 guys) B: to make a bigger splash for anyone targeted as the object of observation(we are going to be watching you guys with 100 of our guys sounds better than we are going to be watching you guys with 10 to 15 guys so you better watch out!) I think this level will be determined by actual needs(although this is the Japanese we are discussing) I am thinking that the SDF are looking at just getting everybody on board with this thing and then they will adjust the site and manning levels to fit the actual purpose as it evolves.The fact that there is opposition already has got to be a consideration.
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Grey Havoc says:
Jan 27, 2013
Looks like the MOD are looking at radar equipped aerostats again, although the below article doesn’t specifically say whether one would be based on Yonaguni Island.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T130127003450.htm
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Grey Havoc says:
Jan 27, 2013
Come to think of it, what’s the prevailing sentiment on Yonaguni Island towards a permanent GSDF presence these days, given both recent and ongoing events?
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Grey Havoc says:
Sep 2, 2013
Some good news:
http://www.japanupdate.com/2013/08/gsdf-base-plan-gains-nod-from-yonaguni/
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Grey Havoc says:
Oct 11, 2014
I missed this at the time, but looks like I was partly right about the J/TPS-102 radar. Seems like the MOD was planning to co-locate a “mobile aircraft control & warning squadron (GSDF/ASDF)” with said radar alongside the “coast observation unit”, though of course plans may have changed in the last two years:
http://www.mod.go.jp/e/d_budget/pdf/240301.pdf
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