Photo Gallery Summer 2001.html

Leaders from Japan and the United States met in San Francisco 8 September 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary for the signing of the San Francisco peace treaty. That date also marks another significant milestone, the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan security relationship. Hours after concluding the peace treaty, the U.S.- Japan Security Treaty was signed – initiating the U.S.-Japan alliance, one of the most productive partnerships the world has yet seen. One important outcome was the forward deployed U.S. command in Japan-U.S. Forces, Japan (USFJ) - a subordinate unified command under the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC).

Personnel of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) spell out the greeting hajimemashita Nippon (“Glad to meet you for the first time, Japan”) when it replaced the USS Independence (CV 62) in 1998 as the permanently forward-deployed carrier in Japan.

Photo by CPH Mahlon K. Miller, USN

USFJ: The Visible Part of the U.S.-Japan Security Relationship

The potential for conflict in Asia is lowered dramatically by a visible and ‘real’ U.S.-Japan defense relationship.

Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Special Report (Armitage Report), 11 Oct 2000

The mission of USFJ stems directly from the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States, the subsequent Status of Forces Agreement, and the presence of U.S. forces in Japan resulting from these international agreements. The USFJ staff works daily with their Japanese counterparts, nurturing our partnership and fostering further growth in our bilateral relationship. This includes responsibility for bilateral operational planning, the conduct of joint and bilateral exercises with the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), administration of the Status of Forces Agreement, improving combat readiness of U.S. forces in Japan, and enhancing the quality of life of our military and civilian personnel and their dependents assigned to Japan. As commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, I represent USCINCPAC in relations among U.S. forces and other Department of Defense elements, the U.S. ambassador, the Japan Defense Agency, and other agencies of the Government of Japan.

Headquarters, USFJ at Yokota Air Base is about 25 miles (about 40 km) west of Tokyo. With its U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps elements, USFJ has about 47,000 military personnel and 5,500 civilian employees, plus 23,500 Japanese workers. About 52,000 dependents of these U.S. personnel live in Japan. To support U.S. forces operating in or around Japan, USFJ coordinates the activities of its four service components.

U.S. Army Forces, Japan (USARJ). USARJ at Camp Zama has about 2,000 soldiers and maintains port facilities and a series of logistics installations on the main island of Japan and on Okinawa. It commands and supports U.S. Army assigned units, attached units and augmentation forces, and it employs these forces in support of USCINCPAC, USFJ, and other component commands. USARJ works actively with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in bilateral training exercises and the development of bilateral plans.

The 1960 mutual defense treaty requires military cooperation between the forces of the U.S. and Japan, as in this winter exercise in Japan.

Official U.S. Army Photo

U.S. Air Forces, Japan/5th Air Force (USAFJ/5th AF). USAFJ/5th AF is also at Yokota Air Base. It maintains the U.S. deterrent force posture and, should deterrence fail, conducts offensive and defensive air operations in and around Japan. About 15,700 military and civilian personnel located at units throughout Japan support that mission. In addition to the tactical air roles, USAFJ provides theater airlift and operational support with cargo airlift. USAFJ participates with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in bilateral training exercises and the development of bilateral plans for the mutual defense of Japan and enhancement of regional security.

Commander, Naval Forces, Japan (CNFJ). CNFJ at Fleet Activities Yokosuka has about 7,700 personnel. It is responsible for maintaining and operating the port facilities and providing base and logistic support for surface, subsurface, and aviation elements of the U.S. Seventh Fleet that operate from Japan. U.S. Seventh Fleet directly supports the three principal elements of U.S. national security strategy – deterrence, forward defense, and alliance solidarity – thereby promoting peace and stability in this part of the world. CNFJ also participates with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in exercises and planning.

Commander, Marine Forces Japan (MARFORJ). MARFORJ at Camp Butler, Okinawa, is responsible for maintaining and operating the bases and training grounds used by the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). In addition to the deterrence the unique warfighting capabilities III MEF brings to the alliance, III MEF also can respond rapidly and effectively to humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief crises throughout the region. Real world examples include disaster-relief operations III MEF conducted in the Republic of the Philippines following the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption and disaster-relief operations in Japan in the wake of the 1995 Kobe earthquake. MARFORJ also participates in exercises with the JGSDF.