GSDF uses private land for military exercise

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

GSDF uses private land for military exercise

The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) 12th Brigade on September 24 launched an exercise in keeping watch for suspicious activity at nonmilitary areas, including a dam and a ski ground, in Gunma and Niigata prefectures.

The exercise is intended to sharpen response to a military attack on Japan and will end on September 28.

It is the first time that the GSDF has conducted a field training exercise outside a GSDF base by using land owned by the state and by local governments as well as the private sector.

The training exercise is being carried out in an area near Aimata Dam in Minakami Town (Gunma Pref.) which is operated by the Land Ministry, an old golf course site (Gunma Pref.) which is possessed by the Shinto Village government, and a closed ski ground in Myoko City (Niigata Pref.) which is owned by a private company.

The Armed Attack Situation Response Law stipulates that a dam is defined as a facility which is likely to be targeted by guerrilla forces or special combat units, and that it should be kept under surveillance by the JSDF.

The scenario for the GSDF maneuver assumed that a guerrilla force or a special commando unit landed on the coast of Niigata Prefecture in order to attack a dam, and that a reconnaissance party of the GSDF 12th Brigade followed and monitored the activity of these forces.

Oda Akio, secretary of the Gunma Prefectural Peace Committee, said, “Around Aimata Dam, there are many tourists and local people visiting. The GSDF is prepared to carry out an exercise in which strangers disguising themselves as tourists or local people are searched. Such training would unavoidably involve the general public. The GSDF must stop such intrusive military training exercises.”

- Akahata, September 25, 2010