A Case Study for US-Japan C2 Modernization: “On the Frontlines of Operation TOMODACHI: Japan-US Coordination During Crisis”

To read the not-for-attribution summary of the event, click here.

Sasakawa USA’s “NEXT Alliance Initiative” hosted a lunchtime book launch and policy roundtable on September 19 for the recent publication of “On the Frontlines of Operation TOMODACHI: Japan-US Coordination During Crisis” by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Koichi Isobe, former Commander of Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces. The roughly 30 attendees from think tanks, military branches, government, and media listened to the author and a guest discussant, former Commander of US Forces Japan Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field, recount their experiences in the bilateral mission to manage crises in Japan caused by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of March 2011 and what it could teach the allies about conducting future bilateral missions. Moderator and Sasakawa USA Sr. Director Jim Schoff then facilitated group dialogue aimed at assisting alliance managers working to design new command and control (C2) relationships after the US announced plans to create an in-country counterpart for Japan’s new Joint Operation Command (J-JOC). The engaged participants and lively exchange were indicative of the timeliness of the discussion, as alliance managers and policy makers coordinate to deepen interoperability between Japan and the US based on the planned establishment of a Joint Operations Command of the Self-Defense Forces in March 2025. In fact, the allies established a working group the same day (September 19) on improving the C2 framework, as called for in the Japan-US 2+2 meeting held in Tokyo on July 28.

For the event’s agenda and participant list, click here.

The US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative is a forum for bilateral dialogue, networking, and the development of joint recommendations involving a wide range of policy and technical specialists (in and out of government) to stimulate new alliance connections across foreign, security, and technology policy areas. Established by Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA with support from the Nippon Foundation, the goal is to help improve the alliance and how it serves shared interests, preparing it for emerging challenges within an increasingly complex and dynamic geostrategic environment. Launched in 2021, the Initiative includes two overlapping lines of effort: 1) Foreign & Security Policy, and 2) Technology & Innovation Connections. The Initiative is led by Sr. Director James Schoff.