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Shigeru Iwasaki
120820-f-zz999-092
Iwasaki, left, being briefed by a member of the United States Air Force
Born February 3, 1953(1953-02-03) (age 71)
Place of birth Iwate Prefecture
Allegiance Flag of Japan Japan
Service/branch Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Years of service Since 1975 (Since 1975)
(48–49 years ago)
Rank US-O10 insignia General

Shigeru Iwasaki (岩崎茂 Shigeru Iwasaki?, born February 3, 1953) is the 4th and current Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. A four-star General from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Iwasaki is the highest-ranking military officer in Japan and ranks third in the overall chain of command (after the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense).[1][2][3]

Career[]

Iwasaki was born and raised in Iwate Prefecture and attended Morioka Third High School. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating into the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 1975. He is trained to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Japan's primary jet fighter.[4]

In August 1991, then-Lieutenant Colonel Iwasaki took command of the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron. In December 1997, then-Colonel Iwasaki took command of the 7th Air Wing. In January 2001, then-Major General Iwasaki took command of the 2nd Air Wing.[5]

In December 2010, General Iwasaki became the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. As Chief of Staff, he spearheaded the effort to procure the fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.[6][7]

In January 2012, General Iwasaki was promoted to be Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council, becoming the highest-ranking official in the Japan Self-Defense Forces.[8] He replaced GSDF General Ryuichi Ariki, and his Vice Chief of Staff is currently Kōichi Isobe. He has presided over a number of significant national security issues, including the renewed Senkaku Islands dispute and the possible revision of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution (following the Liberal Democratic Party's landslide electoral victory in December 2012).

References[]

External links[]

Military offices
Preceded by
Ryuichi Ariki
Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council
Japan Self-Defense Forces

2012-Present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Kenichiro Hokazono
Chief of Staff
Japan Air Self-Defense Force

2010-2012
Succeeded by
Haruhiko Kataoka
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The original article can be found at Shigeru Iwasaki and the edit history here.
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