The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) has embarked on a historic transformation by launching a Japan Joint Operations Command (JJOC), a centralized command designed to unify operations of its ground, maritime and air defenses. The JJOC began operations in March 2025 and is headquartered at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo. Its creation removes fragmented command structures to improve responses in both peacetime and contingencies.
Under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, an officer from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the JJOC will comprise about 240 personnel to oversee major operational units, including those specializing in cyber and space defense. The JJOC is part of Japan’s growing recognition of the need for a robust and adaptable defense posture in an era marked by increasing natural disasters and evolving geopolitical tensions.
The JJOC also plays a pivotal role in enhancing Japan’s deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific — a region fraught with rising military activities from China and North Korea. The Chinese Communist Party’s assertive actions in the East China Sea, including its claims over the Senkaku Islands, pose significant threats to regional stability, while North Korea’s advancements in missile technology have raised global alarms. The JJOC enables the JSDF to conduct integrated operations across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, ensuring a unified and comprehensive defense strategy.
The command also strengthens Japan’s alliances in the Indo-Pacific by fostering closer interoperability and joint readiness, positioning Japan as a proactive Partner in regional security. The JJOC will oversee Japan’s recently developed counterstrike capabilities, including advanced missile systems designed to deter potential aggressors and represents Japan’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and contribute to regional stability.
The country’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons has long underscored the importance of efficient disaster response. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami exposed critical gaps in coordination, prompting the JSDF to reevaluate its approach. With the JJOC, Japan now has a permanent joint headquarters capable of integrating efforts across defense branches and ensuring rapid deployment of resources when disaster strikes. This capability will implement lessons learned and act as a proactive measure to safeguard the well-being of the nation.