Japan Coast Guard

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Ensign of the Japan Coast Guard
A vessel of the Japan Coast Guard - Hida powered with four MTU 20V1163TB93 diesel engines
A Eurocopter AS322 Super Puma of the Japanese coast guard flying over Tokyo Bay

The Japan Coast Guard (海上保安庁 Kaijō Ho'an-chō?) is the Japanese coast guard. Comprising about 12,000 personnel, it is under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and is responsible for the protection the coast-lines of Japan. It was founded in 1948.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The duties of the JCG include:

  • Search and rescue
  • Hydrographic and oceangraphic surveying
  • Maritime traffic management

[edit] Command Structure

Main building of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Kasumigaseki, under which the Japan Coast Guard operates, and where it is headquartered

The Japan Coast Guard is led by Commandant Ishikawa Hiroki and 2 Vice Commanders. Lower ranking officers include the director general, directors and inspector generals.

The JCG is divided into departments:

  • Administration
  • Equipment and Technology
  • Hydrographic and Oceangraphic
  • Maritime Traffic

The Japan Coast Guard Academy is a university established within the Coast Guard for the purpose of training students to become officers. It is located in Kure, Hiroshima prefecture. Additionally, the JCG has two special forces units: the Special Security Team (SST) (特殊警備隊 Tokushu Keibi Tai?) and the Special Rescue Team (SRT) (特殊救難隊 Tokushu Kyūnan Tai?).

[edit] History

Founded in 1948 as the Maritime Safety Agency of Japan, its English name was changed to Japan Coast Guard in April 2000.[1] In 1950, the Maritime Safety Agency sent minesweepers to the Korean Peninsula under the United Nations flag during the Korea War.

On December 22, 2001, JCG ships intercepted a Chinese-flagged vessel believed to be North Korean in origin, in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone between Kyushu and China. When the vessel failed to respond, she was fired upon by the JCG and an exchange of gunfire resulted. The unidentified vessel sank in the Chinese EEZ with all hands.[2] The ship, later salvaged by the JCG, was found to be carrying weapons and spy equipment.[3] The wreck and its contents were put on display at the Japanese Coast Guard Museum at Yokohama.[4]

[edit] Operational regions

A map of the division of jurisdiction between the 11 JCG regions

[edit] Fleet

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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