J-HangarSpace

The Go-To Website for
Information on Japanese Aviation

www.j-hangarspace.jp

Loading Images
wpif2_loading
JASDF
JGSDF
JMSDF
Japan Coast Guard
Where Are They Now?
Location Reports
Aviation Museums
Doctor-Heli Network
Fire/Disaster Prevention
Police Aviation Units
Japanese Aviation History (to 1945)

Japan Coast Guard Disposition

(As at May 1, 2018)

jcgGVOne of the pair of Grumman Aerospace G-V Sea Watch aircraft operated by the Japan Coast Guard from Tokyo International Airport in flight close to a well-known local landmark.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard) 

JCG 70th anniversary logo
2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), and a specially designed logo (above) is being used throughout the year. According to the service’s website, the logo incorporates a ‘7’ that is linked around an image of the globe, centred on Japan, to signify protection and reflect the JCG’s place as a leader in maritime safety not only in Japan but throughout the world. Featuring an arrangement of Japanese plum blossoms that bloom even in harsh circumstances and are of use to people, the ‘0’ reflects the spirit of justice and benevolence with which the service will push ahead for the next 70 years.

JCG regions(Map: Los688 via Wikimedia Commons)

Divided into 11 operational regions, the geographical areas of responsibility of which are shown in the map (above), the JCG comes under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo.

AW139 JCG 70th anniversaryFor the benefit of the spectators aboard the patrol vessel Izu, members of the JCG’s Special Rescue Team
display their expertise from a 4th Region AW139. The demonstration formed part of the 70th anniversary
review of the fleet and comprehensive training drills held in Tokyo Bay in May 2018.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

In May 2018, the Japan Coast Guard was operating 31 fixed-wing aircraft and 52 helicopters, of six and eight types, respectively, making a total fleet of 83 aircraft. The next major type introduction is planned to be five Dassault Falcon 2000MSA aircraft, which are due to be introduced from March 2019.

This page ends with a listing of the helicopter-capable ships operated by the JCG.

1st Region (HQ: Otaru, Hokkaido)
Regional HQ home ports Hakodate and Kushiro, Hokkaido

Based vessels/
Helicopter complements

Sōya (PLH 01, Kushiro) S-76C × 1 
Tsugaru (PLH 02, Hakodate) S-76D × 1
Air operations bases Hakodate Airport, Hokkaido S-76D
Kushiro Airport, Hokkaido S-76C/C+ × 2
Sapporo/Shin-Chitose Airport, Hokkaido Beech 350 × 2, Dash 8-Q300 × 2
Cessna 172S × 5

JCG 1st Region Q400 Overwater patrols are the primary task of the JCG’s fleet of Bombardier Q300s (as the service calls
its Dash 8-Q300s). In the case of the 1st Region, such flights can entail operations over
inhospitable waters for the purposes of fishery and environmental protection.
(Photo: 1st Region, Japan Coast Guard)

JCG MA866A fine action shot of one of the pair of Beech 350s operated by the 1st Region. JCG bases bestow
their aircraft with individual names by type and for PR purposes occasionally ask the public for
suggestions. Based at Chitose, in this case the aircraft bears the name
Etopirika (Tufted Puffin)
on its nose.
(Photo [May 2018]: Japan Coast Guard)

JCG 1st Region S-76The pilot brings Sekirei (Wagtail)—one of the no less than six S-76 helicopters operated by the
1st Region—to the hover over the deck of the Kushiro-based patrol ship
Sōya.
(Photo [Oct. 2015]: 1st Region, Japan Coast Guard)

JCG S-76C+ (2)The S-76C+ delivered to the JCG in October 1998 on a visit to JMSDF Ohminato in October 2013.
The aircraft bears the name
Kumataka (Hodgson’s hawk eagle), revealing it to be assigned to the 
1st Region’s base at Kushiro, Hokkaido.
(Photo: Amayagan via Wikimedia Commons)

Japan Coast Guard Cessna 172SOne of the five Textron Aviation/Cessna Turbo Skyhawk JT-A training aircraft
(JCG designation Cessna 172S) that entered service in March 2018.
(Photo: 1st Region, Japan Coast Guard) 

2nd Region (HQ and home port: Shiogama, Miyagi)

Based vessel/
Helicopter complement

Zaō (PLH 05) S-76D × 1
Air operations base Sendai Airport, Miyagi

Dash 8-Q300, AW139 × 2,
Bell 206B × 3, Bell 505× 4

Japan Coast Guard Sendai AW139One of the two AW139s based with the 2nd Region at Sendai airport, Miyagi Prefecture.
(Photo: 2nd Region, Japan Coast Guard)
 jcgb206Having received the Bell 206B JetRanger named Abi (Red-throated Loon) in June 1991, the service
centered the type’s operations at Sendai, but the arrival of four Bell 505s early in 2018 means
that their days are numbered. 
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

3rd Region (HQ and home port: Yokohama, Kanagawa)

Based vessels/
Helicopter complements

Shikishima (PLH 31) (Transferred to 10th Region)
Akitsushima (PLH 32) EC225LP × 2
Izu (PL31)

(Deck space only) 

Air operations base Tokyo International (Haneda)

Dash 8-Q300 × 2, G-V × 2,
AS332L1, EC225LP

JCG Dash 8 MizunagiOne of the two Haneda-based Bombardier Q300s on climb out. Delivered in 2009, this the first
aircraft named Mizunagi (Shearwater) was out of action undergoing repairs for more than a
year after being caught in the March 2011 tsunami at Sendai airport.
(Photo: 3rd Region, Japan Coast Guard)

LAJ501 Gulfstream JCGIts flaps extended, one of the two Haneda-based Gulfstream Vs sedately takes part in the flypast held during the 70th anniversary review of the fleet over Tokyo Bay in May 2018. (Photo: Japan Coast Guard)
 EC225LP JCG HanedaA scene inside the 3rd Region’s hangar at Tokyo International Airport at the time of J-HangarSpace’s
visit in November 2016 (link). Undergoing maintenance was the JCG’s fifth Airbus Helicopters H225
Super Puma, which prior to the manufacturer’s change of name had been a Eurocopter EC225LP
at the time of its delivery in January the previous year.

4th Region (HQ and home port: Nagoya, Aichi)

Based vessel/
Helicopter complement

Mizuho (PLH 21) Bell 412, Bell 412EP
Air operations base

Chubu International Airport

AW139 × 2

AW139 JA960ADelivered in 2008 and the first of 18 AgustaWestland AW139 to have entered Japan Coast Guard service,
JA960A
Kamitaka is currently operated by the 4th Region from Chubu Airport. The flag in the
cabin door window indicates that the regional commander is on board. 

4th Region JCG Bell 412Normally operated from the Mizuho and land-based at Nagoya’s Chubu International (Centrair), one of 
the 4th Region’s Bell 412s is seen here on a visit to Kansai International Airport, Osaka.
(Photo [Sept. 2016]: Alec Wilson via Wikimedia Commons)

5th Region (HQ and home port: Kobe, Hyogo)

Based vessel/
Helicopter complement

Settsu (PLH 07) S-76D × 1
Air operations base

Kansai International, Osaka

Saab 340B+SAR × 2,
EC225LP × 2

5th Region JCG Super PumaA 5th Region Super Puma helicopter, one of a pair that the Special Security Team (SST), a unit attached
to the Osaka police that specializes in maritime counterterrorism, uses to train for vertical
insertion onto suspect vessels.
(Photo: 5th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

jcgsaab340One of the two specially modified, second-hand Saab 340B turboprops that were added to the JCG fleet in
February 2007, joining two acquired new in 1997. Both named
Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon), the later
arrivals fulfill the search and rescue role from Kansai International Airport.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)
 

6th Region (HQ: Hiroshima, Hiroshima)

Regional HQ home port

(None)
Air operations base

Hiroshima Airport

AW139 × 2, Bell 412EP

JCG Bell 412 SetozuruThe crew of the 6th Region’s sole Bell 412 bid farewell to the spectators attending the JCG’s
70th anniversary fleet review on Tokyo Bay in May 2018.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

7th Region (HQ: Moji, Fukuoka)

Regional HQ home port

Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Based vessel/
Helicopter complement
Yashima (PLH 22) Bell 412EP × 2 
Air operations base

Fukuoka Airport

Beech 350 × 2, AW139 × 2

JCG AW139 MH966Commissioned in December 2011 as the seventh of the JCG’s 18 AW139s and initially based on the
island of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, MH966 has been resident with the 7th Region since
March 2013. The aircraft is named
Hamachidori (Plover).
(Photo: 7th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

7th Region MH908One of the two Bell 412s that operate from the patrol vessel Yashima (PLH 22).
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

8th Region (HQ: Maizuru, Kyoto)

Regional HQ home port

Sakaiminato, Tottori

Based vessel/
Helicopter complement

Daisen (PLH 10) S-76D × 1
Air operations base

JASDF Miho (Yonago Airport), Tottori

Dash 8-Q300 × 2, AW139 × 2

JCG Miho aircraft (2)Two 8th Region stablemates, a Bombardier Q300 and an AW139, formate for the camera’s benefit on a
flight from Miho; the aircraft are named
Mihowashi (‘Miho Eagle’) and Mihozuru (‘Miho Crane’),
respectively. The unusual angle reveals that the Dash 8 carries the Japanese for
Japan Coast Guard on the inner side of  the e
ngine nacelle.
(Photo [March 2014]: 8th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

JCG Miho S-76Crew preparedness training naturally plays an important part of JCG operations. Here the S-76D
Maizuru, which has since its entry into service in early 2015 also served aboard the patrol ship
Daisen, is used to provide some land-based winch and rappelling practice.
(Photo [July 2015]: 8th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

JCG Miho hangarBack on terra firma, the same AW139 receives some attention in the JCG Miho hangar.
(Photo [June 2016]: 8th Region, Japan Coast Guard)
 

9th Region (HQ and home port: Niigata, Niigata)

Based vessels/
Helicopter complements

Hida (PL 51)  
Echigo (PLH 08)  S-76D × 1
Air operations base Niigata Airport

Beech 350 × 2, AW139 × 2

9th Region MH916The sole S-76D assigned to the 9th Region is operated from the patrol vessel Echigo.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

9th Region MH967The 9th Region’s two AW139s provide search and rescue cover along and off the coast of
three prefectures: Niigata, Toyama and Ishikawa.
(Photo: 9th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

10th Region (HQ and home port: Kagoshima, Kagoshima)

Based vessel/
Helicopter complements

Akaishi (PL 52)  
Oosumi (PLH 03) S-76D × 1
Shikishima (PLH 31) AS332L1 × 2
Air operations base

Kagoshima Airport

Saab 340B × 2, AW139 × 2

JCG Saab 340(Photo: Japan Coast Guard) 

Cruising above the clouds during its time with the 3rd Region, the Saab 340B-SAR shown above—currently operated by the 10th Region from Kagoshima—provides a good example for an explanation of the markings. The JCG website explains that the logo of a tipped over “S”, which appears on the side of all the organization’s ships and aircraft, denotes “speed, smart and service” in its safety, search and rescue, and survey missions. Italics were chosen for the fuselage titling to express “stability, dynamism and smartness” as well as to convey the JCG’s “dashing and active role in the international community”. The stylized compass rose that appears on the JCG’s flag is also worn on the tails of its aircraft to symbolize the service’s efforts toward maritime safety. Visible to the left of the front fuselage door and shown below, the harp seal cartoon character Umimaru has often been carried on aircraft since its adoption for the JCG’s 50th anniversary in 1998.

Umimaru

10th Region JCG S-76Sharing the name of a local protected species of bird, the Rurikakesu (Amami Jay), the 10th Region’s
sole S-76D hovers along the runway at Kagoshima Airport. The aircraft is normally assigned to
the patrol vessel
Ōsumi. (Photo [Mar. 2015]: 10th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

11th Region (HQ and home port: Naha, Okinawa)

Based vessel/
Helicopter complement

Ryūkyū (PLH 09) S-76D × 1
Okinawa (formerly Chikuzen, PLH 06) S-76D × 1
Uruma (formerly Hayato, PLH 04) S-76D × 1
Air operations bases

Naha Airport

Dash 8-Q300 × 2, Falcon 900 × 2,
AW139 × 2

Ishigaki Airport, Okinawa Beech 350 × 2, AW139 × 2

JCG Falcon LAJ570One of the two Falcon 900s that were delivered to the JCG in Japan in September 1989 and are to be
to be replaced, after 30 years’ service, by Falcon 2000MSA aircraft (below) in 2019. In 2005, having 
asked the general public to suggest a name for both aircraft, replacing
Ōtaka (Goshawk), JCG Naha
selected
Chiyurawashi (Beautiful Eagle), chiyura being a word in the Okinawan dialect.
(Photo [May 2018]: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)
JCG Falcon2000MSA(Artists’s impression via Japan Coast Guard)

AW139 MH974Both of the Naha-based AW139s have been in service there since first commissioned in March 2008.
(Photo [Sept. 2014]: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

Beech 350 MA867One of the two Beech 350s that, alongside two AW139s, constitute the 11th Region’s aviation presence on
the island of Ishigaki, 410 km (260 miles) from Naha. The aviation element relocated to the
new Ishigaki Airport in March 2013.
(Photo: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

Other principal shore-based facilities
Japan Coast Guard Academy Kure, Hiroshima
Japan Coast Guard School Maizuru, Kyoto (1)

(1) Branch schools at Moji, Fukuoka Prefecture and Iwanuma, Miyagi Prefecture

8th Region JCG(Photo: 8th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

Helicopter-Capable Ships of the Japan Coast Guard

JCG Fleet Review 2018 (1)(Above) Tokyo Bay, off Tokyo International Airport, May 20, 2018. Vessels of the Japan Coast Guard in
line astern pass by dignitaries, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (furthest from camera), standing
in the place of honour on the
Yashima (PLH 22). This was the second day of the 56th review of the
fleet, in which 37 ships and 15 aircraft participated to mark the JCG’s 70th anniversary.
(Below) The stern and helicopter hangar of the Yashima can be seen on the port side, while the Tosa
(PL 08) is in the van of the convoy on the starboard side. Formerly an annual event held in May, the  
fleet review has had to be cancelled on occasion before, most recently following the Great East Japan
Earthquake of 2011. Its suspension for the past six years, however, had been entirely due to the service’s
heightened level of operations in the seas around Okinawa and the uninhabited, disputed Senkaku Islands
(Pinnacle Islands, Diaoyu to the Chinese). Only the importance of the occasion had dictated that the
fleet review be reinstated on this year’s event calendar.
(Photos: Japan Coast Guard)
JCG Fleet Review 2018 (2)

(1) Patrol Vessels Large with Helicopter (PLH)

 Shikishima-Class (and Reimei-Subclass) Patrol Vessels
 (Fully laden 9,300 tonnes; Super Puma×2 / 110 crew [plus 30 aviation-related personnel])
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Shikishima /
PLH 31
Apr. 1992   Launched June 1991. Initially homeported in Yokohama
 (3rd Region) → Kagoshima (10th Region) Mar. 2018
Akitsushima /
PLH 32
Nov. 2013   Launched July 2012, homeported in Yokohama
Reimei / PLH 33 Feb. 2020  Launched Mar. 2019, homeported Kagoshima
Akatsuki / PLH 34 Feb. 2021  Homeported Naha, to Ishigaki Nov. 2021
Asazuki / PLH 35 Nov. 2021  Launched Dec. 2020

ShikishimaCommissioned in April 1992 and transferred from Yokohama to Kagoshima early in 2018, the Shikishima
can accommodate two Super Puma helicopters. A sister vessel, the 
Akitsushima, joined the fleet as
recently as November 2013.
 Shikishima shares her name with an Imperial Japanese Navy battleship
that saw combat in the Russo-Japanese War
(1904–1905). (Photo: 3rd Region, Japan Coast Guard)

 Mizuho-Class Patrol Vessels  /  (Normal load 5,300 tonnes; Bell 412×2 / 130 crew)    
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Fusō / PLH 21 Mar. 19, 1986   (Formerly Mizuho)
 Homeported in Nagoya (4th Region)
Yashima / PLH 22 Dec. 1, 1988   Originally assigned to Yokohama → Moji, Fukuoka
 Prefecture (7th Region) Oct. 2013

JCG MizuhoA visiting HH-65 Dolphin from a U.S. Coast Guard cutter sits on the helicopter deck of the old Mizuho
in Nagoya in October 2007. At that time, Japan was hosting a meeting of a six-nation coast guard
forum developed to combat illegal fishing and increase international maritime safety and
security in the Northern Pacific Ocean area.
(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area)

 Mizuho-Class Patrol Vessel / (6,000 tonnes; H225×2 or S-76D×2)
Name/Bow No. Launched  Notes
Mizuho / PLH 41 Nov. 9, 2018  Commissioned Aug. 22, 2019
 Homeported Kagoshima

 

 Shunkō-Class Patrol Vessels / (6,000 tonnes; H225×2 or S-76D×2)
Name/Bow No. Launched  Notes
Shunkō / PLH 42 Mar. 20, 2019  Commissioned Feb. 19, 2020
 Homeported Kagoshima
Asanagi  / PLH 43  June 30, 2022  To be commissioned 2023

 

 Patrol Vessel   /  (4,070 tonnes; S-76×1 / 71 crew)   
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Sōya / PLH 01 Nov. 1978   Homeported in Kushiro (1st Region)

JCG SouyaSeen here making her way through light ice, the Sōya was built against the background of the Japanese
government’s March 1977 decisions to extend the nation’s territorial waters from three to 12 nautical
miles and impose a 200-nautical mile fishing limit. The name of the cape that forms the northernmost
point of mainland Japan in Hokkaido,
Sōya has been a ship’s name since the early 1900s. In this
case, the ship continued the name of Japan’s first Antarctic research vessel, which
was decommissioned in 1978.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

 Tsugaru-Class Patrol Vessels (4,040 tonnes; S-76×1 / 69 crew) 
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Tsugaru / PLH 02 Apr. 1979  Homeported in Hakodate (1st Region)
Ōsumi / PLH 03 Oct. 1979   Kagoshima (10th Region)
Uruma / PLH 04 Mar. 1980  Formerly named UragaHayato,
 now homeported in Naha (11th Region)
 Zaō / PLH 05 Mar. 1983  Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture (2nd Region)
Okinawa / PLH 06 Sept. 1983  Formerly named Chikuzen,
 now homeported in Naha (11th Region)
Settsu / PLH 07 Sept. 1984  Kobe (5th Region)
Echigo / PLH 08 Feb. 1990  Niigata (9th Region)
Ryūkyū / PLH 09 Mar. 2000  Naha (11th Region)
Daisen  / PLH 10 Oct. 2001  Originally assigned to Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture,
 homeported in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture,
 (8th Region) since Mar. 2008

JCG UrumaThe Sōya having served essentially as a prototype, Japan built a series of modified, so-called blue water vessels in her image to police its extended territorial waters. As is the case with its helicopters, JCG ships are usually given a new name when transferred to a different operating region, and the Uruma shown here has twice been relocated. (Photo: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

PLH06 Chikuzen(Above) Commissioned in September 1983 as the fifth of the nine Tsugaru-class patrol vessels, the
Chikuzen rests at her then home port of Hakata (Fukuoka) in February 2011. 
(Photo: tsuna72 via Wikimedia Commons)
(Below) The Chikuzen as she appears today, this time in daylight hours, as the Okinawa.
(Photo: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)
PL06 Okinawa
Settsu hangarA glimpse inside the hangar of the Settsu, during a JCG open day at Kobe port in July 2017.
(Photo: Hunini via Wikimedia Commons)

(2) Patrol Vessels Large (PL) / Deck space only (no hangar)

Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
(Oki / PL 01) Sept. 1989   1,500 tonnes, 39 crew.
 Commissioned as Nojima, renamed Oki upon changing home
 port from Yokohama to Sakaiminato in 1997.
 Decommissioned January 2017 and donated to
 Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
 (See Kunigami class for details of second ship named Oki)

 

 Ojika-Class Patrol Vessels (PL) / (2,000 tonnes, 34 crew)
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
(Erimo / PL 02) Oct. 1991   Commissioned as Ojika, renamed Erimo upon changing home
 port from Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture (2nd Region) to
 Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, in 1997. Donated to Malaysian
 Maritime Enforcement Agency 2017.
 (See Kunigami class for details of second ship named Erimo)
Kudaka / PL 03 Oct. 1994   Homeported Naha (11th Region)
Yahiko / PL 04 Oct. 1995  Originally Satsuma (Kagoshima, 10th Region). Now
 homeported Fushiki, Toyama Prefecture (9th Region)
Dejima / PL 05 Nov. 1998  Originally Hakata when homeported at Fukuoka, now
 Nagasaki in same 7th Region
Kurikoma / PL 06 Oct. 1999  Originally Dejima when homeported in Nagasaki, now in
 Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture (2nd Region) 
Satsuma / PL 07  Kagoshima (10th Region)
Tosa / PL 08 Oct. 2000  Originally Motobu when homeported in Naha (11th Region),
 now Kochi (5th Region)

Tosa 2018A normallly Fukuoka-based AW139 lands on the deck of the Tosa during the JCG’s 70th anniversary
fleet review and training drills, which were held in Tokyo Bay over two days in May 2018.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

 Kunigami-Class Patrol Vessels (PL) / (1,700 tonnes, 42 crew)
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Kunisaki / PL 09 Apr. 2012   Originally Kunigami when homeported in Nagagusuku,
 Okinawa Prefecture (11th Region), now in Moji (7th Region)
 Bukō / PL 10  Originally Motobu (11th Region), now in Yokohama (3rd Region)
Taketomi / PL 81* Sept. 2014   
Nagura / PL 82  
Kabira / PL 83 Nov. 2014  
Zampa / PL 84 Feb. 2015  
Tarama / PL 85 Nov. 2015  
Ikema / PL 86  
Irabu / PL 87  
Torashiki / PL 88 Feb. 2016  
Aguna / PL 89  
Izena / PL 90  
Rishiri / PL 11 Oct. 2016   Homeported Wakkanai, Hokkaido Prefecture (1st Region)
Esan / PL 12  Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture (1st Region)
Motobu / PL 13 Nov. 2016  Naha → Yokohama (3rd Region) Apr. 2018
Yanakuni / PL 14  Ishigaki
Oki / PL 01 Feb. 2017  Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture (8th Region)
Erimo / PL 02  Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture (1st Region)
Tsuruga / PL 91 May 2020  Homeported Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture (8th Region)**
Echizen / PL 92 July 2020  Homeported Tsuruga, Fukui Prefceture (8th Region)**
* (PL-81 to PL-90 all homeported in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture [11th Region])
** Tasks include protecting nuclear power plants located on Fukui coast from acts of terrorism 

JCG IkemaThe majority of the 18-vessel Kunigami-class fleet, like the Ikema (above) and the Yonakuni (below),
is based in the Okinawa area, where its primary mission is security around the Senkaku Islands. In 
September 2010, in the course of fishery protection duties in the area, 
Yonakuni was involved in 
a collision with a Chinese trawler, which in Japan became known as the Minjinyu 5719 Incident.

JCG Yonakuni                                                                                                (Photos: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)                                                                                                              

 Japan Coast Guard Dedicated Rescue Support Vessel
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Izu / PL 31  Sept. 1997  3,500 tonnes, 110 crew
 Homeported in Yokohama (3rd Region)

PL31 IzuAs a result of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, the Izu patrol boat was designed to serve
as a disaster response command post with the added capability of being able to transport
large quantities of relief supplies to the afflicted areas.
(Photo [Yokohama, Apr. 2009]: Toshinbori Baba via Wikimedia Commons)

 Hida-Class Patrol Vessels (PL) / (1,800 tonnes, 30 crew)*
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Hida / PL 51 Apr. 2006  Homeported in Niigata (9th Region)
Akaishi / PL 52 Mar. 2008  Kagoshima (10th Region)
Kiso / PL 53  Sakaiminato (8th Region)
 (*) All equipped for helicopter refuelling

PL52 AkaishiThe design of these three vessels was in response to incursions by high-speed spy boats from North Korea
in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Hida is the name of the northernmost mountain range
in the Japanese Alps.
(Photo: Japan Coast Guard)

 Hateruma-Class Patrol Vessels (PL) / (1,300 tonnes / 30 crew)*
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Hateruma / PL 61 Mar. 2008  Homeported in Ishigaki (11th Region)
Ishigaki / PL 62 Feb. 2009   Formerly Hakata
 Homeported in Ishigaki (11th Region)
Kunigami / PL 63  Formerly Yonakuni. Homeported in
 Nagagusuku, Okinawa Prefecture (11th Region)
 Shimokita / PL 64 Mar. 2009  Formerly Motobu
 Homeported Naha (11th Region)
Shiretoko  / PL 65  Formerly Kunigami. Homeported in
 Nagagusuku, Okinawa Prefecture (11th Region)
Shikine / PL 66 Oct. 2009  Homeported Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture (3rd Region)
Amagi / PL 67 Mar. 2010  Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture (10th Region)
Suzuka / PL 68  Owase, Mie Prefecture (5th Region)
Koshiki  / PL 69  Kagoshima (10th Region)
 (*) All equipped for helicopter refuelling

JCG ship IshigakiLikewise extensively utilized around the Senkaku Islands, Hateruma-class vessels like the Ishigaki
are capable of a top speed in excess of 30 knots. (Photo: 11th Region, Japan Coast Guard)

 Training Vessels
Name/Bow No. Commissioned  Notes
Kojima / PL 21 Mar. 1993  3,000 tonnes, 118 crew
 Homeported in Kure for use by JCG Academy 
Miura / PL 22 Oct. 1998*  3,000 tonnes, 40–150 crew. Capable of carrying around
 1,000 people in emergencies. Homeported in Maizuru
 (*) Month of completion

KojimaThe Kojima at its berth at Kure port. Providing prospective JCG officers with seagoing experience, the
Kojima regularly conducts extended deployments as part of the JCG Academy’s curriculum. In June
2017, for example, she made a U.S. port visit to Baltimore, Maryland.
(Photo via wikimapia)
 

thomas3crsFour ships head back to the Port of Yokohama after rehearsing for the May 2005 edition of the JCG
fleet review and comprehensive drill. From the lead ship, the four are the
Izu (PL 31),
Yashima (PLH 22)Settsu (PLH 07) and Tsugaru (PLH 02).
(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard/PA1 Amy Thomas)

logors25

Notices

Announcements

JASDF
Air Shows in 2023
Mar. 5  Komaki
Apr. 2  Kumagaya

May 28  Miho
May 28  Shizuhama
June 3  Nara
               (Open Day)
June 4  Hofu
July 30  Chitose
Aug. 27  Matsushima
Sept. 10  Misawa
Sept. 24  Akita
Oct. 7  Komatsu
Oct. 15  Ashiya
Oct. 29  Hamamatsu
Nov. 3  Iruma
Nov. 12  Gifu
Nov. 26  Tsuiki
Dec. 3  Nyutabaru
Dec. 10  Naha
Dec. 17  Hyakuri
* To be confirmed

Air Shows in 2022
Apr. 3  Kumagaya
              (Cancelled)
May  Miho (cancelled)
May 22  Shizuhama

            (Limited event)
June 5  Hofu-Kita
June 11  Nara

July 31  Chitose

Aug. 28  Matsushima

Sept. 4  Ashiya
   (Limited event,
    restrictions applied)

Sept. 11  Misawa

Sept. 19  Komatsu
Sept. 23  Akita
Oct. 23  Hamamatsu
Nov. 3 Iruma

Nov. 13  Gifu

Nov. 27  Tsuiki

Dec. 4  Hyakuri
Dec. 4  Nyutabaru
Dec. 11 Naha

Air Shows 2020/21
All cancelled

Air Shows in 2019
Komaki 2019 poster
Mar. 2  Komaki
Apr. 14  Kumagaya
May 19  Shizuhama
June 2  Hofu-Kita
June 2  Miho
Aug. 4  Chitose
Aug. 25  Matsushima
Sept. 8  Misawa
Sept. 16  Komatsu
Oct. 13  Ashiya
Oct. 20  Hamamatsu
Nov. 3  Iruma
Nov. 9  Komaki
Nov. 10  Gifu 
Nov. 23  Kasuga
Dec. 1  Hyakuri
Dec. 7-8  Naha
Dec. 8  Tsuiki
Dec. 15  Nyutabaru

air-festa-hohu_img2019rs

iruma191103(2)rs

JGSDF
Air Shows in 2023

Apr. 8 Somagahara
May 27  Kita-
            Utsunomiya  
June 3  Kasumigaura
June 11  Obihiro
July 2  Okadama

Aug. 5  Kasuminome
Oct. 1   Kisarazu
Nov. 4  Akeno
* To be confirmed

Air Shows in 2022
Cancellations:
Apr.  Narashino
Apr.  Somagahara

Apr.  Jinmachi
May Kita-Utsunomiya
May  Kasumigaura

July 24  Okadama
Oct. 1 Tokushima
Nov.  Tachikawa
              (cancelled)
Nov. 13  Akeno

Nov. 20  Yao
Dec.  Kisarazu
             (cancelled)

Air Shows 2020/21
With exception of
Akeno (only limited
access), all cancelled

Air Shows in 2019
narashino1ab2019koukahajimers
Jan. 13  Narashino
 (paratroop display)
Apr. 13  Kasuminome
Apr. 13  Somagahara
May 12  Takayubaru
June 1  Kasumigaura
June 16  Kita-Utsunomiya
June 23  Okadama
Oct. 6  Metabaru
Nov. 3  Akeno
Nov. 9  Tachikawa
Nov. 17  Naha
Nov. 24  Yao
Dec. 8  Kisarazu

metabaru191006rs
Metabaru
tachikawa191109rs
Tachikawa

JMSDF
Air Shows in 2023
Apr. 15  Iwakuni
(Joint Friendship Day)
Apr. 22  Atsugi

Apr. 30  Kanoya
May 28 Omura
July 23  Tateyama
Sept. 2  Maizuru
Sept. 17  Hachinohe
Oct. 1  Ozuki
Oct. 21  Shimofusa
Oct.*  Tokushima
* To be confirmed

Air Shows in 2022

Apr. 30  Omura
May  Iwakuni
(Joint Friendship Day)
May  Kanoya
         (Both cancelled)


July 17  Komatsushima

July 18  Tateyama
Sept. 10  Hachinohe

Oct. 1  Tokushima
Oct. 22  Shimofusa
(announced Sept. 21,
            limted event)

Oct. 30  Ozuki
(announced Sept. 28)

Air Shows 2020/21
All cancelled

Air Shows in 2019
Apr. 27  Atsugi
Apr. 28  Kanoya
May 5  Iwakuni
(joint Friendship Day)
May 18  Maizuru
May 19  Omura
July 13-14
          Komatsushima
July 27  Tateyama
Sept. 21  Hachinohe
ozuki191020rs

Oct. 20  Ozuki
Oct. 26 Shimofusa
Nov. 17  Tokushima

oomura190519rs

shimofusa191026rs

(*) Date to be confirmed

(Please note that air show dates are subject to change/cancellation.)

Links

Arawasi banner

Arawasi

Asian Air Arms

The Aviation Historian

Japanese

Japan Association of Aviation Photo-
graphers
(JAAP)

用廃機ハンターが行く
(Site dedicated to displayed aircraft in Asia)
JASDF
JGSDF
JMSDF

Visitors
(from May 17, 2022)

Flag Counter

Visitors to
May 17, 2022

Due to the developers
ceasing to support the 
plug-in, the flag
counter has been
replaced twice.
Previously, there had
been more than
45,000 visitors from
the United States,
40,000 from Japan,
and 25,000 from the
UK alone.