By Capt. David J. Preston, USA

YAMA SAKURA is an annual, bilateral command post exercise that simulates Japanese – U. S. military operations required to defend Japan. Every January, one of the five regional Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Armies, is joined by U.S. Army I Corps to conduct the exercise in Japan and the U.S. The first YAMA SAKURA was held in 1982 with a total of 570 U.S. soldiers participating. In YAMA SAKURA XXXIX, held in January 2001, more than 1,300 U.S. soldiers participated. This included U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers deploying from 32 U.S. states, as far away as New Jersey and as close as Hawaii.

The key to success in YAMA SAKURA is the bilateral operations and interaction between the two countries’ forces. The three commanders involved – Lt. Gen. Mitsuo Sakudo (Commander, JGSDF Western Army), Lt. Gen. James T. Hill (Commander, I Corps), and Maj. Gen. Alan D. Johnson (Commander, U.S. Army, Japan) – stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation and cultural interaction.

Lt. Gen. Sakudo said he “would like to see us strengthen the mutual trust we have built by face-to-face contact, while gaining an understanding of the differences between our national traits, culture, traditions, defense policies and operational doctrine.” Maj. Gen. Johnson observed, “You not only share ideas and learn from each other, but you also build special relationships and enhance the already solid foundation that has given us peace and regional security for so many years.”