Japan Self-Defense Force, Coast Guard conduct first drills following scenario of Tokyo under armed attack

On June 22, the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted a joint exercise, the first of its kind, under a scenario in which the country's defense minister takes control of the JCG in the event of an armed attack on Tokyo.

A ship of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) during a joint exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) on June 22. (Source: Japan Ministry of Defense )

The exercise took place in the context of the Japanese government's recent policy outline in April this year, which stipulates procedures for the JCG, under the command of the Minister of Defense, to facilitate cooperation with the MSDF, in the face of China's increased military activities in waters adjacent to the East China Sea.

The Self-Defense Forces Law stipulates that the head of the defense force can take control of the non-military coast guard in case of emergency, but does not detail the procedure for such a move.

Under the emergency command of the Minister of Defense, the JCG will provide logistical support, including providing information to civilian vessels and helping evacuate residents, allowing the MSDF to focus on defense in combat zones.

Involving 300 personnel from the MSDF destroyer Yamagiri and the coast guard patrol ship Sagam, the exercise lasted about two hours east of Izu Oshima Island in the Pacific Ocean, about 100 kilometers south of Tokyo.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/luc-luong-phong-ve-canh-sat-bien-nhat-ban-lan-dau-tap-tran-theo-kich-ban-tokyo-bi-tan-cong-vu-trang-232037.html