Special Forces Group (Japan)

In 1998, the Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit within the JGSDF that would handle tasks such as counter-terrorism with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade sent to the United States to be trained by Delta Force operators.[7][8] At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade to be the foundations for the new unit. These consisted of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).

The establishment of the unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organisation. The unit's structure is based on that of Delta Force and Green Berets of the United States Army.[6] Bilingual 1st Special Forces Group personnel were on hand to assist the JGSDF in creating their Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E).[9] Takashi Araya once mentioned in an interview that he trained with Green Berets abroad for a year.[10]

On March 27, 2004, the Defense Agency activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its counter-terrorist unit.

In 2005, the SFGp had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the commander of the JGSDF's contingent in Iraq under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.[6]

On March 28, 2007, the SFGp, along with the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, and the 101st NBC Protection Unit, became part of the newly created Central Readiness Force.[11][12]

The unit changed its English name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFGp or the Special Forces Group.[13]

In 2016, the SFGp was placed on standby during the 42nd G7 summit in case their assitance is required to back up the Special Assault Team and the Anti-Firearms Squad.[14]

On January 18, 2018, the SFGp conducted one of their few exercises before the presence of the Australian and Japanese prime ministers.[15] At least one SFGp operator was an observer at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) 2018 exercises in Florida.[16] King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Japan and was given a demonstration by SFGp operators on November 27, 2018.[17]

On February 18, 2019, unnamed SFGp operators were deployed to attend Flintlock military exercises in Africa.[18] On November 5, 2021, the SFGp has trained in Guam with the Green Berets.[9] Exercises between the 1st Special Forces Group and the SFGp are conducted yearly under the codename Silent Eagle.[19]

On June 29, 2021, then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited manuevers performed by SFGp operators.[20]

JGSDF SFGp commandos standing at attention during a 2007 ceremony.

According to a 2017 Gendai Ismedia article, the SFGp is reported to compose of the following:[21][8]

• Commander (Led by a Colonel)
• Executive Officers (Led by a Lieutenant Colonel)
• Headquarters
  • 1st Department (General Affairs)
  • 2nd Department (Intelligence)
  • 3rd Department (Planning)
  • 4th Department (Supply)
• Headquarters Administration Unit (Led by 3 Majors)
• 1st SFGp Company[21]
  • Company Headquarters
  • 1st Platoon (HALO)[8]
    • Specialized squads (e.g. Assault, Sniper)
  • 2nd Platoon (Naval warfare)[8]
  • 3rd Platoon (Mountain warfare)[8]
  • 4th Platoon (Urban warfare)[8]
• 2nd SFGp Company[21]
• 3rd SFGp Company[21]
• Training Unit[8]

300 operators are known to serve in the SFGp.

Potential recruits to the SFGp are drawn from Ranger-qualified JGSDF soldiers and paratroopers of the 1st Airborne Brigade.[22] The unit's passing rate is said to be at 3% due to demanding physical examinations aside from a recruit's ranger or airborne qualifications.[21]

SFGp operators are required to study English in order to be bilingual, although they are trained to learn other languages like Arabic, Chinese and Russian.[21]

When the first soldiers were recruited, there was an effort for them to have foreign training due to a lack of experience.[23] According to Takashi Araya, he had to train with the Green Berets in order to be familiazered with modern special forces concepts since those who are Ranger-trained and those who are in the SFGp are not different in terms of their training.[23] Others were given training by various private military contractors when they have free time in either the US or in the UK with their own money.[24]

The SFGp does joint exercises with the SAT.[25]

The SFGp has access to equipment used by the JGSDF, such as the Komatsu LAVs and Toyota Koukidoushas for transport and reconnaissance use. They also work in conjunction with the 1st Helicopter Brigade to provide mobility support, though they can be also deployed via C-130 Hercules aircraft.[30]

SFGp operator are known to wear camo uniforms when operating in urbanized areas.[31]

As part of regulating and protecting the identities of the various soldiers serving in the SFGp, their faces are hidden in balaclavas and cannot be revealed except with authorization from their commanding officers.[4][22][32] SFGp officers are exempted from the rule.[33]

• Official SFGp CRF Page. Archived 2016-03-25 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)

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