Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
{{Short description|Highest-ranking and senior-most officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF)}}
{{Expand Japanese|topic=mil|統合幕僚長|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
| body =
| native_name = 統合幕僚長
| flag = Flag of Chief of Staff, Joint Staff (JSDF).svg
| flagsize = 150px
| flagborder =
| flagcaption = Standard of the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
| insignia =
| insigniasize =
| insigniacaption =
| image = 第4代陸上総隊司令官 陸将 吉田圭秀.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| incumbent = General Yoshihide Yoshida
| incumbentsince = 30 March 2023
| type =
| status =
| department = Japan Self-Defense Forces
| style =
| member_of = Joint Staff
Defense Council
| reports_to = Minister of Defense
| residence =
| seat = Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Ichigaya, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| nominator =
| appointer = Minister of Defense
| appointer_qualified = {{small|Subject to formal approval by the Cabinet}}
| termlength = Mandatory Retirement Age at 62
| termlength_qualified =
| constituting_instrument =
| precursor = Chairman of the Joint Staff Council
| formation = 1 July 1954
| first = General Keizō Hayashi (as Chairman of the Joint Staff Council)
General Hajime Massaki (as Chief of Staff, Joint Staff)
| last =
| abolished =
| succession =
| abbreviation =
| unofficial_names =
| deputy = Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
| salary =
| website = [https://www.mod.go.jp/js/]
}}
The {{Nihongo|Chief of Staff, Joint Staff|統合幕僚長|Tōgō Bakuryō-chō|lead=yes}}, formerly known as the Chairman of the Joint Staff Council from 1954 to 2006, is the highest-ranking military officer and head of the overall Operational Authority (command) over the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and its three service branches: the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is primarily held by rank of a four-star rank of General or Admiral, the highest rank in the Japan Self-Defense Force. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is selected from among the Chief of Staff, Ground Self-Defense Force, Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force and Chief of Staff, Air Self-Defense Force on a rotational basis.
The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff oversees and synchronizes all JSDF services and commands in national defense, primarily on defense coordination and defense preparedness, including three branches' Major Commands, the Chief of the Ground Staff, the Chief of the Maritime Staff, and the Chief of Staff, Air Self-Defense Force. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff also assists the Minister of Defense on all matters of the JSDF, as well as for both national security and defense matters, such as the formation of defense postures and strategies, policy implementations, and the creation of military doctrines within the country and executes orders of the Minister of Defense with directions from the Prime Minister, who serves as the Commander-in-chief of the JSDF.{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) |title=自衛隊: 組織 |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |accessdate=2012-07-15 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=Japanese |trans-title=JSDF: Organization |oclc=153301537 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archivedate=2007-08-25 }}{{cite web|title=Responsibility of COS,JS {{!}} Japan JSO Oficial Webdite|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/js/e_responsibility.htm|website=www.mod.go.jp|accessdate=28 March 2018}}
Structure and Responsibilities
{{main|Japan Self-Defense Forces#Structure}}
The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, is the head of the {{Nihongo|Joint Staff|統合幕僚監部|Tōgō Bakuryō Kanbu}}, which consists of the Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, the Administrative Vice Chief of Staff, as well as the Joint Staff's five departments and three special staff offices. The Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff serves as the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff's primary assistant in overall national defense coordination while the Administrative Vice Chief of Staff assists the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff in administrative matters. The Joint Staff's five departments are the General Affairs Department, Operations Department, Defense Plans and Policy Department, C4 Systems Department and the Logistics Department, while the three special staff are the Joint Staff Councilor, Public Affairs, and the Legal Affairs General.{{cite web |title=Organization |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/js/about/organization-en.html}}
The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff supervises the service branches operations of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and their powers are limited to policy formation and defense coordination during peacetime. In wartime, the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff commands all units within the JSDF and exercises complete authority to all units. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff will also be responsible for commanding all defense initiatives, conduct various defense operations and implement strategies that can be utilized by the state, under the directive of the Minister of Defense and the command of the Prime Minister, which gives all JSDF services to create measures in order to ensure the country's defense and sovereignty.{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Japan |title=Self Defense Forces |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |accessdate=2012-07-15 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |oclc=56431036 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archivedate=2007-08-25 }}{{cite book | url = https://www.mod.go.jp/e/about/organization/reorganized/p4-5.pdf | title = The Ministry of Defense Reorganized: For the Support of Peace and Security | year = 2007 | publisher = Japan Ministry of Defense | location = Tokyo | pages = 4–5 | format = PDF | access-date = 2018-03-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412080502/https://www.mod.go.jp/e/about/organization/reorganized/p4-5.pdf | archive-date = 2019-04-12 | url-status = dead }} The chain of operational authority runs from the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff to the commanders of the several Operational Commands. Each service branch is headed by its respective chief of staff, who has administrative control over its own services.
Retirement and Conferment of Decoration
The mandatory retirement age for generals who were appointed as the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is 62 years old. Under these circumstances, the Prime Minister, under the guidance of the Ministry of Defense, has the power appoint a new Chief of Staff, Joint Staff within the Joint Staff council or extend the term of the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff at their pleasure. Upon reaching the age of 70, under Japan's honours system, the former Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff are to be awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st class. The creation of upgrading the level of the order from Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class to Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st class, was made by Shinzo Abe in 2015, which serves as a measure to recognize the former Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff efforts in their service to the JSDF.{{cite web |title=【国防最前線】自衛官の勲章・叙勲の再考を 職務を全うした隊員すべてに生前付与を |url=https://www.zakzak.co.jp/society/politics/news/20150805/plt1508050830002-n1.htm?view=pc |website=ZAKZAK |language=ja-JP}}
List of officeholders
The current Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is General Yoshihide Yoshida, who took office in March 2023.{{cite web |website=Ministry of Defense (Japan) |author1=Japan Self-Defense Forces |title=Organization |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/js/about/organization-en.html |accessdate=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306214017/https://www.mod.go.jp/js/about/organization-en.html |archive-date=March 6, 2023}}
=Chairman of the Joint Staff Council=
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder = y
| showimage = y
| image_title = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Chairman of the Joint Staff Council
| showtermlenght = y
| showparty = n
| showdefencebranch = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 1
| image = Keizo Hayashi 01 (cropped version).jpg
| military_rank = Lieutenant GeneralDecember 1, 1962 promotion to General.
| officeholder = Keizō Hayashi
林 敬三
| officeholder_sort = Hayashi, Keizō
| born_year = 1907
| died_year = 1991
| term_start = 1 July 1954
| term_end = 13 August 1964
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1954|07|01|1964|08|13}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 2
| image = JMSDF Admiral Ichizo Suie.jpg
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = Sugie Ichizo
杉江一三
| officeholder_sort = Ichizo, Sugie
| born_year = 1908
| died_year = 1999
| term_start = 14 August 1964
| term_end = 29 April 1966
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1964|08|14|1966|04|29}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 3
| image = JGSDF General Yoshihide Amano.jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Amano Yoshihide|ja|天野良英}}
天野良英
| officeholder_sort = Yoshihide, Amano
| born_year = 1910
| died_year = 2001
| term_start = 30 April 1966
| term_end = 14 November 1967
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1966|04|30|1967|11|14}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 4
| image = Hirokuni-Muta-JASDF.png
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Hirokuni Muta|ja|牟田弘國}}
牟田弘國
| officeholder_sort = Muta, Hirokuni
| born_year = 1910
| died_year = 1987
| term_start = 15 November 1967
| term_end = 30 June 1969
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1967|11|15|1969|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 5
| image = JMSDF Admiral Takaichi Itaya.jpg
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = Ryuichi Itaya
板谷隆一
| officeholder_sort = Itaya, Ryuichi
| born_year = 1911
| died_year = 1991
| term_start = 1 June 1969
| term_end = 31 May 1971
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1969|07|01|1971|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 6
| image =
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = Hayao Kinugasa
衣笠駿雄
| officeholder_sort = Kinugasa, Hayao
| born_year = 1915
| died_year = 2007
| term_start = 1 June 1971
| term_end = 31 January 1973
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1971|07|01|1973|01|31}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 7
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Ryuhei Nakamura|ja|中村龍平}}
中村龍平
| officeholder_sort = Nakamura, Ryuhei
| born_year = 1916
| died_year = 2008
| term_start = 1 February 1973
| term_end = 30 June 1974
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1973|02|01|1974|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 8
| image = JASDF General Motoharu Shirakwa.jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Motoharu Shirakawa|ja|白川元春}}
白川元春
| officeholder_sort = Shirakawa, Motoharu
| born_year = 1918
| died_year = 2008
| term_start = 1 July 1974
| term_end = 15 March 1976
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1974|07|01|1976|03|15}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 9
| image =
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Hirokazu Samejima|ja|鮫島博一}}
鮫島博一
| officeholder_sort = Samejima, Hirokazu
| born_year = 1918
| died_year = 2000
| term_start = 16 March 1976
| term_end = 19 October 1977
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1976|03|16|1977|10|19}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 10
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Hiroomi Kurisu|ja|栗栖弘臣}}
栗栖弘臣
| officeholder_sort = Kurisu, Hiroomi
| born_year = 1920
| died_year = 2004
| term_start = 20 October 1977
| term_end = 27 July 1978
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1977|10|20|1978|07|27}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 11
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Takehiko Takae|ja|高品武彦}}
高品武彦
| officeholder_sort = Takae, Takehiko
| born_year = 1922
| died_year = 2014
| term_start = 27 July 1978
| term_end = 31 July 1979
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1978|07|27|1979|07|31}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 12
| image = Goro Takeda 19800101.JPEG
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = Goro Takeda
竹田五郎
| officeholder_sort = Takeda, Goro
| born_year = 1921
| died_year = 2020
| term_start = 1 August 1979
| term_end = 15 February 1981
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1979|08|01|1981|02|15}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 13
| image =
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Kunio Yada|ja|矢田次夫}}
矢田次夫
| officeholder_sort = Yada, Kunio
| born_year = 1923
| died_year = 2012
| term_start = 16 February 1981
| term_end = 15 March 1983
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1981|02|16|1983|03|15}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 14
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Sumio Murai|ja|村井澄夫}}
村井澄夫
| officeholder_sort = Murai, Sumio
| born_year = 1925
| died_year =
| term_start = 16 March 1983
| term_end = 30 June 1984
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1983|03|16|1984|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 15
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Keitaro Watanabe|ja|渡部敬太郎}}
渡部敬太郎
| officeholder_sort = Watanabe, Keitaro
| born_year = 1927
| died_year = 1997
| term_start = 1 July 1984
| term_end = 5 February 1986
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1984|07|01|1986|02|05}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 16
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Shigehiro Mori (general)|ja|森繁弘}}
森繁弘
| officeholder_sort = Mori,Shigehiro[https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/D8C53TF2/download
]P89 5th line,need to download
| born_year = 1928
| died_year =
| term_start = 6 February 1986
| term_end = 10 December 1987
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1986|02|06|1987|12|10}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 17
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Ishii Masao|ja|石井政雄}}
石井政雄
| officeholder_sort = Masao, Ishii
| born_year = 1931
| died_year = 2007
| term_start = 11 December 1987
| term_end = 15 March 1990
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1987|12|11|1990|03|15}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 18
| image = Inaugural_Ceremony_of_General_Taizo_Terashima_as_Chairman,_Joint_Staff_Council_寺島泰三統合幕僚会議議長着任式_(1990_Defense_Agency_record_-_平成２年防衛庁記録_06：58)_(cropped).png
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Taizo Terashima|ja|寺島泰三}}
寺島泰三
| officeholder_sort = Terashima, Taizo
| born_year = 1933
| died_year =
| term_start = 16 March 1990
| term_end = 30 June 1991
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1990|03|16|1991|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 19
| image =
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Hajime Sakuma|ja|佐久間一}}
佐久間一
| officeholder_sort = Sakuma, Hajime
| born_year = 1935
| died_year = 2014
| term_start = 1 July 1991
| term_end = 30 June 1993
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1991|07|01|1993|06|30}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 20
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Tetsuya Nishimoto|ja|西元徹也}}
西元徹也
| officeholder_sort = Nishimoto, Tetsuya
| born_year = 1936
| died_year = 2024
| term_start = 1 July 1993
| term_end = 24 March 1996
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1993|07|01|1996|03|24}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 21
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Sugiyama Shigeru|ja|杉山蕃}}
杉山蕃
| officeholder_sort = Shigeru, Sugiyama
| born_year = 1938
| died_year =
| term_start = 25 March 1996
| term_end = 12 October 1997
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1996|03|25|1997|10|12}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 22
| image =
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Kazuya Natsukawa|ja|夏川和也}}
夏川和也
| officeholder_sort = Natsukawa, Kazuya
| born_year = 1940
| died_year =
| term_start = 13 October 1997
| term_end = 30 March 1999
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1997|10|13|1999|03|30}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 23
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder =
Yuji Fujinawa
藤縄祐爾
| officeholder_sort = Fujinawa, Yuji
| born_year = 1941
| died_year =
| term_start = 31 March 1999
| term_end = 26 March 2001
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1999|03|31|2001|03|26}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 24
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Shoji Takegochi|ja|竹河内捷次}}
竹河内捷次
| officeholder_sort = Takegochi, Shoji
| born_year = 1943
| died_year =
| term_start = 27 March 2001
| term_end = 27 January 2003
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2001|03|27|2003|01|27}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 25
| image = Tōru Ishikawa 20040209 (cropped).jpg
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Toru Ishikawa|ja|石川亨}}
石川亨
| officeholder_sort = Ishikawa, Toru
| born_year = 1944
| died_year =
| term_start = 28 January 2003
| term_end = 29 August 2004
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2003|01|28|2004|08|29}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 26
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Hajime Massaki|ja|先崎一}}
先崎一
| officeholder_sort = Massaki, Hajime
| born_year = 1944
| died_year =
| term_start = 30 August 2004
| term_end = 26 March 2006
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2004|08|30|2006|03|26}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
=Chief of Staff, Joint Staff=
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder = y
| showimage = y
| image_title = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
| showtermlenght = y
| showparty = n
| showdefencebranch = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 26
| image =
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Hajime Massaki|ja|先崎一}}
先 崎一
| officeholder_sort = Massaki, Hajime
| born_year = 1944
| died_year =
| term_start = 27 March 2006
| term_end = 3 August 2006
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2006|03|27|2006|08|03}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 27
| image = JMSDF Admiral Takashi Saito 齋藤隆海将 (Defense.gov photo essay 071108-N-0696M-150).jpg
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = {{ill|Takashi Saito (admiral)|ja|齋藤隆}}
齋藤 隆
| officeholder_sort = Saito, Takashi
| born_year = 1948
| died_year =
| term_start = 4 August 2006
| term_end = 23 March 2009
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2006|08|04|2009|03|23}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 28
| image = JGSDF General Ryoichi Oriki 折木良一陸将 (Defense.gov News Photo 100624-N-0696M-028).jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = {{ill|Ryoichi Oriki|ja|折木良一}}
折木 良一
| officeholder_sort = Oriki, Ryoichi
| born_year = 1950
| died_year =
| term_start = 24 March 2009
| term_end = 30 January 2012
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2009|03|24|2012|01|30}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 29
| image = Shigeru Iwasaki.jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = Shigeru Iwasaki
岩崎茂
| officeholder_sort = Iwasaki, Shigeru
| born_year = 1953
| died_year =
| term_start = 31 January 2012
| term_end = 13 October 2014
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2012|01|31|2014|10|13}}
| defence_branch = {{air force|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 30
| image = Katsutoshi Kawano cropped 2 Phillip G Sawyer and Katsutoshi Kawano 20111013.jpg
| military_rank = Admiral
| officeholder = Katsutoshi Kawano
河野 克俊
| officeholder_sort = Kawano, Katsutoshi
| born_year = 1954
| died_year =
| term_start = 14 October 2014
| term_end = 31 March 2019
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2014|10|14|2019|03|31}}
| defence_branch = {{navy|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 31
| image = JGSDF General Koji Yamazaki 山崎幸二陸将 (US Navy photo 191001-D-PB383-001 CJCS Hosts ROK, Japanese Counterparts for Multilateral Discussions).jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = Kōji Yamazaki
山崎 幸二
| officeholder_sort = Yamazaki, Kōji
| born_year = 1961
| died_year =
| term_start = 1 April 2019
| term_end = 29 March 2023
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2019|04|01|2023|03|29}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 32
| image = General YOSHIDA Yoshihide Chief of Staff, Joint Staff.jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = Yoshihide Yoshida
吉田 圭秀
| officeholder_sort = Yamazaki, Kōji
| born_year = 1962
| died_year =
| term_start = 30 March 2023
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2023|03|30}}
| defence_branch = {{army|Japan}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
See also
{{Portal|Japan}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Japan Chiefs of the Joint Staff}}
{{Japan Self-Defense Forces}}
{{Chief of military by country}}