Japan Minister of Defense highlights bilateral capabilities at Yokota

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Karl V. Williams
  • Joint Support Force Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited here April 23 to observe the capabilities of the Japanese Central Readiness Force and the U.S. military's chemical biological incident response force.

This was the first visit to Yokota Air Base by a Japan Defense Minister since the Ministry of Defense was established in 2007.

The American CBIRF team arrived last month due to concerns about the Fukushima nuclear plant and remained on standby in the event Japanese officials requested their assistance.

"The advanced skill sets demonstrated by both the American and Japanese teams was very impressive and encouraging," Mr.Kitazawa said. "I'd like to express my deepest appreciation for (our) friendship with the United States, which dispatched its treasured elite team to aid Japan."

Mr. Kitazawa also expressed his appreciation for the overall assistance the Joint Support Force has provided following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11.

"Thanks to the United States' great contributions, the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant is static. I am fully convinced that your posture continues to give Japanese people a great sense of security as we start the reconstruction process," Mr. Kitazawa said.

More than 20,000 U.S. service members have been working jointly with Japan Self-Defense Forces, at the request of the Japanese government, in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Lt. Gen. Burton Field, the commander of Joint Support Force and U.S. Forces Japan, also praised the CRF and CBIRF units for their hard work.

"The Soldiers of the CRF and the Marines and Sailors of the CBIRF have put on a remarkable display of lifesaving capability while demonstrating the unique abilities they possess," General Field said. "More importantly, thank you for all the hard work, coordination and planning you've done together over the last several weeks."

General Field said that he was honored to have the Japanese defense minister here to witness the bilateral demonstration of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidence response.

"Your presence is a testament to the level of importance this training and capability holds for the continued safety of the people of Japan," the general said.