Katsutoshi Kawano

Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi, born November 28, 1954)[1] is a Japanese admiral who is serving as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff and is the highest-ranking officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces since 15 October 2014 until March 31, 2019, the longest serving Chief of Staff, Joint Staff.[2] Prior to his appointment, he was the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the de facto navy of Japan.[3][4][5]

Katsutoshi Kawano
in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
on October 13, 2011
Born (1954-11-28) November 28, 1954
Kanagawa, Japan
Allegiance Japan
Service/branch Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Years of service1977–2019
Rank Admiral
Commands heldChief of Staff, Joint Staff
Chief of Maritime Staff, JMSDF
Self Defense Fleet
Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff
JDS Atago (DDG-177)
Mine Warfare Force
MSDF Sasebo District
JS Oyodo, DE-231
AwardsOrder of Abdulaziz Al Saud

Career
Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano with Martin Dempsey (left), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (at the Fort Lesley J. McNair on July 16, 2015)
Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano and Then-Rear Admiral Phillip G. Sawyer, Commander of the Submarine Group 7, in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture on October 13, 2011.

Katsutoshi Kawano was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving in a number of command and staff positions.

In 1991, then-Commander Kawano took command of the JS Oyodo, DE-231. In 1999, then-Captain Kawano took command of MSDF Escort Flotilla 3. In 2004, then-Rear Admiral Kawano took command of the MSDF Sasebo District. In 2008, Kawano took command of the Mine Warfare Force. His career was temporarily in jeopardy when a ship under his command, the JDS Atago (DDG-177), collided with a fishing boat and caused two fishermen to go missing.[6] In 2010, then-Vice Admiral Kawano became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council. One year later, in 2011, he became Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet.[7]

On 26 July 2012, Kawano was promoted to full Admiral and became Chief of Staff of the MSDF, replacing outgoing admiral Masahiko Sugimoto.[8] As MSDF Chief of Staff, he was deeply involved in the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.[9]

Since Holding the Post on October 14, 2014, His Term is extended thrice, beyond his retirement age at 62. First on November 2016, then extended for a whole year through May 27.[10] And got his term extended again until March 31, 2019 as he was replaced by Kōji Yamazaki due to the North Korea Tensions and his close ties with Shinzō Abe.[11]

Awards and honors

Defensive memorial cordons

References
  1. http://www.mod.go.jp/js/Joint-Staff/e_chief_of_staff.htm
  2. http://www.mod.go.jp/js/e_topics_js.htm
  3. Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) visits India : Press Release : Indian Navy
  4. Press Information Bureau English Releases
  5. CNO Meets with Japanese Counterpart
  6. High-tech Japan warship collides with fishing boat | Reuters
  7. Japan Defense Almanac 2010 防衛年鑑（2010年版） ISBN 9784938468316
  8. "Kawano to be appointed as MSDF Chief of Staff | House of Japan - Japan News Technology Autos Culture Life Style". Archived from the original on 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  9. http://www.gbp.com.sg/DailyNews/2013/IMDEXASIA2013/Day2/IMDEX%20ASIA%202013%20-%20Day%202_opf_files/pdfs/IMDEXDay2_3.pdf
  10. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/05/16/national/japan-sdfs-top-uniformed-officer-adm-katsutoshi-kawano-see-term-extended/#.W17r_NIzbIV
  11. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/19/national/gsdf-chief-koji-yamazaki-become-japans-top-uniformed-officer/#.XOPi61IzbIU
  12. http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/info/news/201402/020407.pdf
  13. http://www.gg.gov.au/events/canberra-act-354
Military offices
Preceded by
Shigeru Iwasaki		 Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
October 14, 2014-March 31, 2019		 Succeeded by
Kōji Yamazaki
Preceded by
Masahiko Sugimoto		 Chief of the Maritime Staff
July 26, 2012-October 13, 2014		 Succeeded by
Tomohisa Takei
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