Katsutoshi Kawano
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi, born 28 November 1954) was a *anese admiral who served as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the *an Self-Defense Forces from 2014 to 2019, and was the longest-serving person in that position. Prior to his appointment, he was the Chief of Staff of the *an Maritime Self-Defense Force, the de facto navy of *an.
Contents
- 1 Career
- 2 Awards and honors
- 2.1 Defensive memorial cordons
- 3 Dates of promotion
- 4 References
- 5 External links
Career
Katsutoshi Kawano was born in Hakodate, Hokkaidoon November 28, 1954, the son of *an Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Katsuji Kawano.(His father was the Commanding Officer of Sub Area Activity Hakodate.)His father participated in World War II as a young officer of the Imperial *anese Navy.He aspired to be an naval officer under the influence of his father.Then when his father retired, he raised in Ibaraki, Osaka.
He attended the National Defense Academy of *an, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the *an 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, an Abu*a-cl* destroyer escort. 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. In 2010, then-Vice Admiral Kawano became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council. One year later, in 2011, he became the 45th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Kenichi Kuramoto. In 2012, he was succeeded by Yo*o Matsu*a.
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.On 26 July 2012, Kawano was promoted to full Admiral and became Chief of Staff of the MSDF, replacing outgoing admiral Masahiko Sugimoto. As MSDF Chief of Staff, he was deeply involved in the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.
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)On 14 October 2014, Admiral Kawano was named by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the *an Self Defense Forces (JSDF). As the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, his term as the is extended thrice, making him serve his post beyond his retirement age at 62. His term was extended first on November 2016, and was extended for a whole year through May 27, due to the North Korea Tensions and his close ties with Shinzō Abe, and got his term extended again until March 31, 2019 as he was replaced by Kōji Yamazaki.
After retirement, he became an advisor to the Ministry of Defense. Currently, he is a commentator for the Nippon TV group and an advisor for several companies.
Awards and honors
- – Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)
- – Legion of Merit (Officer and Commander)
- - Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division)
Defensive memorial cordons
- 2nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 3rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 11th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 17th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 18th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 19th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 20th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 21st Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 22nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 25th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 26th Defensive Memorial Cordon with 2 gold cherry blossoms
- 32nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 33rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 36th Defensive memorial cordon
- 37th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 38th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 40th Defensive Memorial Cordon
- 41st Defensive Memorial Cordon
Dates of promotion
References
External links
- Media related to Katsutoshi Kawano at Wikimedia Commons