Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti

The Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti is a military base operated by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) located near in Ambouli, Djibouti. Aircraft based here use the Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport runway. It is the JSDF's first full-scale, long term overseas base.

Background

Since World War II Japan's Self-Defense Forces have concerned themselves only with defense of the home islands. In the 1990s JSDF contingents were dispatched to Cambodia under the UN and to Iraq to aid in reconstruction efforts. These were relatively short-term missions and used temporary bases.[1]

In 2009, in response to piracy off the coast of Somalia members of the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries including Japan, China, Australia, and many others deployed personnel, air and naval resources as part of global anti-piracy measures. In 2009 Japan's National Diet passed the "Anti-piracy measures law".

From March 2009 the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) it deployed the destroyers JS Sazanami and JS Samidare (DD-106).[2] Japan also deployed two JMSDF P-3 Orion patrol aircraft to Djibouti, which began patrols on June 11, 2009.[3] From 2009 to 2011 the aircraft operated from Camp Lemonnier, which is run by the United States Navy.[4][5][6]

History

In 2011 the JMSDF established its own base nearby with 180 troops deployed there on a four month rotational basis, with a command headquarters, boarding facilities and parking apron, at a cost of $4.7 billion yen (USD$40 million).[7]

In July 2016 the Japan Air Self-Defense Force deployed three C-130 Hercules aircraft to the base in order to evacuate Japanese citizens from South Sudan amid fighting there.[8]

In August 2016 Tomomi Inada, the Japanese Minister of Defense visited the base.[9]

In 2016 it was announced that the Japanese government was considering expanding the 12 hectare site by leasing more land to the east. It was considering deploying C-130 Hercules aircraft and Bushmaster armored vehicles. This was reportedly so that Japan could more easily rescue Japanese citizens in Africa.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Yomiuri Provides More Details on Djibouti Base May 28, 2011 Japan Security Watch
  2. ↑ Japan destroyers set sail on anti-piracy mission April 20, 2009 CNN Retrieved November 23, 2016
  3. ↑ Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia September 2012 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retrieved November 21, 2016
  4. ↑ Japan: Joining the Anti-Piracy Effort off the Somali Coast May 28, 2009 Retrieved November 21, 2016
  5. ↑ Here’s how Coalition Patrol Planes Hunt Somali Pirates in the Horn of Africa January 23, 2013 The Aviationist Retrieved November 21, 2016
  6. ↑ Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia February 15, 2016 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retrieved November 21, 2016
  7. ↑ Japan eyes first overseas SDF long-term base in Djibouti January 20, 2015 China Daily Retrieved November 23, 2016
  8. ↑ Yoshida, Reiji SDF is ordered to evacuate Japanese nationals from South Sudan July 11, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved November 23, 2016
  9. ↑ New defense chief Tomomi Inada meets SDF personnel engaged in anti-piracy mission off Somalia August 15, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved November 25, 2016
  10. ↑ Japan to expand Djibouti military base to counter Chinese influence October 13, 2016 Reuters Retrieved November 21, 2016
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