Yoshifumi Hibako

Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi, born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served as the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy. He has served in multiple capacities, including the chief of staffs of the GSDF Northern Army during the Iraq War, commanding officer of the Chūbu region Army Headquarters, and has even acted as a Japanese foreign representative when meeting officers of other countries.

Gen. Yoshifumi Hibako and Gen. George W. Casey Jr. (August 2009)

Yoshifumi Hibako
Born	May 15, 1951 Fukuoka Prefecture
Allegiance	Japan
Service/branch	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Years of service	36
Rank	General
Unit	1st Airborne Brigade
Commands held	Central Army; Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Awards	Legion of Merit
Other work	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Life

Hibako entered the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1974.[1]

Career

After graduating from the Academy, Hibako entered the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1974. He participated in the reconstruction phase of the Iraq War as leader of the GSDF Northern Army. As a mission of the type that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had never dealt with, Hibako had to determine what tactics and equipment to use without much past guidance.[1] In 2007, he served as vice-president of his alma mater, the National Defense Academy.[2]

Hibako was appointed the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in March 2009. His role includes advising the Ministry of Defense and overseeing the administration of the GSDF, and ensuring defense, disaster relief, and maintaining ties with foreign military.[1] He has also acted in a semi-diplomatic role, meeting with Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Liang Guanglie to discuss relations between the two countries in February 2010.[3] He represented Japan at a conference for world militaries to discuss disaster relief and management.[4]

Medals

• Legion of Merit Degree Commander Medal (2011)

References

1. "Interview : Chief of Staff, GSDF General Yoshifumi Hibako". Japan Defense Focus. Shinjuku, Tokyo: Japan Ministry of Defense. November 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
2. Shin-who, Kang (11 January 2007). "Military Academies Seek Global Network". The Korea Times. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
3. "China, Japan urged to properly handle bilateral issues". China Daily. Beijing. Communist Party of China. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
4. Bhatti, Christina (24 August 2009). "Senior Army leaders from 26 nations gather in Tokyo to discuss security, cooperation". United States Army. Retrieved 7 October 2010.