Japan JMSDF news and updates

[Saithan]

Admiral Sait saluting naval officers at the ceremony (JMSDF image)

New Chief Of Staff For The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force​

Admiral Akira Saito was appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) on July 19, 2024. He succeeds Admiral Ryo Sakai who resigned from his position earlier in July.​

Naval News Staff 31 Jul 2024

Graduated from the National Defense Academy in 1989, Admiral Saito commanded several minor ships before becoming Commanding Officer of the Hatsuyuki-class destroyer ‘JS Isyuki’ in 2006. He joins the famous Command course at the US Naval War College in Newport in 2008 allowing him to access superior command within the JMSDF.

He was first assigned to the plans and programs division to become in 2009 the Chief of the latter. However, Saito is called back to the operational level to take command of the 14th escort squadron composed of 3 destroyers. This will last only one year.

During two years, the new Chief of Staff will handle more administrative duties becoming director of education and assignment director. He will be rewarded by taking command of Escort Flotilla One based in Yokosuka which includes two escort squadrons – about 8 combat surface ships. During the 5 following years, Admiral Saito will be assigned to various Commanding positions switching between the Fleet Escort Force and more general operational commands.

In 2022, he took charge of the Self Defense Fleet gathering all forces of the JMSDF – Fleet Escort Force, Fleet Air Force, submarine force, mine warfare, and support units as the intelligence command, the oceanographic and ASW command but also other specified units.

Admiral Saito has already a full agenda as his assignment comes as the JMSDF is impacted by several troubles that happened within, and which the new Chief of Staff highlights in his greetings message: “I would also like to express my sincere apologies for the improper management of classified information, the allowance fraud, and other misconduct that have greatly undermined the expectations and trust of the public.”

The admiral stresses the need to change the behaviour of JMSDF personnel to face internal and external challenges as the security environment gets tougher.

“As the Chief of Staff, JMSDF, I will have “Strength” and “Sincerity” for my motto as I work together with all members of the JMSDF to protect the seas and defend the peace and independence of our country.”


Admiral Satoshi Saito, Chief of the JMSDF

Admiral Saito last week visited Perth, Australia for the IODS conference (Naval News picture):

New Chief of Staff for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - Naval News

Admiral Akira Saito was appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) on July 19, 2024.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Passenger]

JMSDF changes its largest ‘destroyer’ classification from ‘DDH’ to ‘CVM’​

• Published on 18/09/2025
• By Yoshihiro Inaba
• In News

JS Kaga conducting a multi-lateral exercise in September 2025. The vessel is classified as "CVM" from now on. JMSDF picture.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has revised the hull classification symbols for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels effective October 2024. The change adds two new symbols, “CG” and “CVM,” which will be applied to upcoming ship types.


JMSDF vessels are classified into warships that enjoy the status of warships under international law (Self Defense Ship: 自衛艦 in Japanese) and other vessels categorized as support ships. The warship category is further divided into escort vessels and auxiliary vessels. Escort vessels are sub-categorized by function into surface/subsurface combatants (destroyers, submarines), mine warfare vessels (minesweepers, minesweeper craft, minesweeper tenders), patrol vessels (missile boats, offshore patrol vessels), and transport vessels (transport ships, landing craft, hovercraft).


The revision this time concerns the classification symbols for escort destroyers, which belong to the surface combatant group. Destroyers are combatant ships in the JMSDF inventory equipped with guns, missiles and other weapons, and possess the capability to engage enemy surface ships, submarines and aircraft. Until now, hull classification symbols have included general-purpose destroyer (DD), guided-missile destroyer (DDG), helicopter destroyer (DDH), as well as smaller coastal escort destroyer (DE) and multi-role frigates (FFM). Last year’s directive added two new symbols: “CG” and “CVM.” Naval News interviewed the JMSDF Office of Public Affairs to clarify what these new codes signify.

First, “CG” stands for “Cruiser Guided-missile” — a guided-missile cruiser — and will be applied to the Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) scheduled to enter service in 2027 and 2028. The other new symbol, “CVM,” at first glance appears analogous to U.S. Navy nomenclature and might be read as a “multi-purpose aircraft carrier.” However, the JMSDF Office of Public Affairs says the acronym expands to “Cruiser Voler Multipurpose,” and in Japanese the type is being called 航空機搭載多機能護衛艦 — literally, an “aircraft-carrying multi-role cruiser.” According to the office, the Izumo-class which is the biggest surface combatant in JMSDF, fall under this new CVM designation.


The lead ship of the Izumo-class, Izumo, entered service in 2015, and the second ship, Kaga, entered service in 2017; both were originally operated as helicopter destroyers (DDH). However, modifications carried out from fiscal 2020 onward added the capability to operate the F-35B short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) fixed-wing fighter, and that operational change has led to the assignment of the new CVM classification.


As for the “Cruiser” element of CVM, JMSDF officials explained that the term replaces “Destroyer” to reflect the larger hull size compared with conventional destroyers. The middle term “Voler” is the French verb meaning “to fly,” and was chosen to indicate the vessel’s capability to operate aircraft, including fixed-wing types.

JMSDF changes its largest 'destroyer' classification from 'DDH' to 'CVM' - Naval News

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has revised the hull classification symbols for JMSDF vessels effective October 2024. The change adds two new symbols, “CG” and “CVM,” which will be applied to upcoming ship types.

www.navalnews.com