Japan Defence Forum

[F-22Raptor]

 

[F-22Raptor]

 

[theman111]

why japan dont buy weapon from israel?

 

[Suika]

why japan dont buy weapon from israel?

Japan wants to develop many of their own weapons. But for other things, US weapons are available for purchase. Although I seem to recall a few months ago that Japan and Israel will to a little joint development into UAVs.

X-2, what was once called "Shinshin" has been carrying out flight testing.

19th flight test on March 17th.

18th

17th

13th

12th

9th

8th https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNJYN45NPg
7th https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai6lUBALjIs

 

[Suika]

US special forces Green Berets jump from Self-Defense Force helicopter at a Japanese Airborne event on January 8th. English is my translation. Japanese text will follow it, and the address to the article webpage.

---start---
The customary new year "Start Descent Training" by the JGSDF 1st Airborne Brigade was carried out on January 8th at the Narashino Maneuver Grounds in Yakuendai, Funabashi City. The US military participated for the first time together with the elites from the SDF's sole airborne unit.

With the 1st Airborne Brigade, JASDF, as well as 15 personnel (9 parachuted) from 1st Special Forces Group, 1st Battalion stationed at Okinawa, the training included about 300 Japanese and American elites. 16 various aircraft such as C-130H and helicopters, 12 vehicles of various types, and 120mm mortars were also used.

Regular visitors watched over at the cold wind blowing maneuver grounds as the training started with the descent of 1st Airborne Brigade's chief commander Yasuyuki Kodama along with other commanders. One by one, personnel jumped out from transport aircraft flying 210km/h at 340km above the ground. Lots of applause was giving to the personnel as they safely touched down on the training grounds.

After the parachuting, personnel, vehicles, and mortars were transported by helicopter, and various complex training was carried out by personnel on the ground and with attack helicopters.

In front of the personnel that completed the hour and a half long training, State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya instructed to them "I want you all to not be satisfied with your highly held skills, but to aim even higher and be diligent everyday, and to cultivate power that can be used in real combat" thus concluding the training.

陸上自衛隊第１空挺団による新春恒例の「降下訓練始め」が８日、船橋市薬円台の習志野演習場で行われた。今回は米軍が初参加し、自衛隊唯一の空挺部隊の精鋭とともにパラシュートを使った降下訓練を展開した。

訓練には、同部隊をはじめ航空自衛隊や沖縄に駐留する米軍第１特別部隊群第１大隊の１５人（降下は９人）を含む約３００人の日米の精鋭が参加。Ｃ-１３０Ｈ輸送機やヘリコプターなど航空機１６機と、各種車両１２台や１２０ミリ迫撃砲なども投入された。

冷たい風が吹き付ける演習場で一般来場者が見守る中、兒玉恭幸第１空挺団長ら各指揮官の降下で訓練がスタート。上空約３４０メートルを時速２１０キロで飛ぶ輸送機から隊員が次々と降下。パラシュートが開き、演習場内に無事着地するたびに、隊員らへ大きな拍手が送られた。

隊員らの降下後に、ヘリを使った隊員や車両、砲門の輸送や、着地した隊員らと攻撃ヘリによる戦闘などの複合訓練が次々と展開された。

約１時間半にわたる訓練を終えた隊員を前に、若宮健嗣防衛副大臣が「持っている高い能力に満足せず、さらなる高みを目指して日々精進し、実戦で使える力を養ってもらいたい」と訓示し、訓練を締めくくった。
---end---
chibanippo.co.jp/news/local/376738

Next is a video of the event. The American Green Berets make their jump at 25:20.

BRP Sultan Kadarat of the Philippines on friendly exchange joint-training with JS Inazuma and JS Suzutsuki on January 6th in the western area of Subic Bay.
mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/info/news/201701/20170110-01.pdf

 

[Suika]

Japan moves to solidify security relations with British forces

Japan is moving toward forming a “quasi-alliance” with Britain to complement Tokyo’s security ties with Washington and prepare for the expanded overseas role of the Self-Defense Forces.
The Air SDF’s ongoing joint exercise with the Royal Air Force at the Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture is part of Japan’s efforts to strengthen its partnership with Britain.

Guardian North 16 is the ASDF's first exercise in Japan with the forces of a foreign country other than the United States.
The SDF has been participating in more joint exercises with other countries since the enactment of national security legislation in September 2015 that expands SDF activities abroad, including providing more support to the U.S. military. During the joint exercise with Britain, which was opened to reporters on Nov. 2, the ASDF’s F-2 multiple-role fighter jets and the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon took off with a deafening roar.

Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, ASDF chief of staff, and Stephen Hillier, chief of the air staff of the Royal Air Force, took part in the exercise in the backseats of two F-2 fighters. The previous day, they participated in a forum in Tokyo sponsored by Britain’s Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies. The session was titled “New Form of Partnership Between the U.K. and Japan: Achievements and Challenges.”

Tokyo and London are also working on a proposal to develop missiles for U.S. F-35 fighters that they have been introducing.
Moves to solidify ties between the SDF and British military are progressing in other branches, as well.

On Oct. 20, the Maritime SDF’s chief of staff met with the top uniformed commanders of the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy at the Pentagon, the first such meeting held. Also in October, the Ground SDF dispatched seven members to Britain for a joint drill conducted by the British Army and the U.S. Marines.

Japan has been making efforts to work closely with other allies of the United States, such as Australia and South Korea.
British, Australian and South Korean forces are taking part as observers in a Japan-U.S. exercise that started in late October in waters near Okinawa Prefecture and Guam.

The exercise, involving 36,000 members of the Japanese and U.S. forces, is being conducted to prepare for a possible contingency on the Korean Peninsula and other scenarios. A rear support operation by the SDF based on the national security legislation was expected to be held for the first time.

The mock operation reflects a landmark change in the SDF’s role. The laws allow the SDF to provide rear support to the forces of the United States, Australia and other countries around the world.
Japan and Britain are also negotiating the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which would allow the two countries' militaries to exchange support, including food, fuel and ammunition.

If the agreement is signed, it will be the third for Japan, following its pacts with the United States and Australia.
“The ACSA will be indispensable when we have to quickly think about logistical support during an emergency and beefing up joint exercises,” said a source close to the Japanese Defense Ministry.

(This article was written by Yusuke Fukui and Teruto Unuma.)

A video and picture from the joint-training between the RAF and the JASDF at Misawa Air Base. Picture is US F-16, Jpn F-2, and GB Typhoon

In May 2016, Japanese ruling party, the LDP, debating legislature that would enable preemptive strike due to threat from North Korea.

Like before, its a Japanese article. English is my translation. Japanese text and address will follow.

---start---
Arguments are continuously being made within the LDP for the importance of an "ability to attack enemy bases" in regards to the ongoing missile launches and nuclear tests by North Korea. Supposing the introduction of such necessary weapons, the defense budget would greatly increase, and would by large step over the national policy of "exclusively defense posture." (横山大輔)

At the April LDP National Defense Division, a number of members pointed out "Isn't it time to investigate into it?" regarding the ability to attack enemy bases. In March, chairman of the party national security investigating committee, Hiroshi Imazu, argued that "it is natural to must think to attack before launch." At other party meetings chairman Taku Ohtsuka of the National Defense Division touched on it.

In the backdrop is a North Korea that holds 200 mid-range Nodong missiles that puts Japan in range. There are concerns saying "the current interception system cannot entirely prevent all of them."

From the perspective of the constitution, the government has come to placing attacking enemy bases within the scope of a distinct right to self defense for obstructing an attack by another country. In 1956, the Ichiro Hatoyama cabinet held an opinion that "to sit and wait for death by holding the right to self-defense is not the aim of the constitution." It is now possible to make a distinction for "preemptive strike" and to have a step for when an attack on Japan is judged to have "started" such as first strike attack or fueling initiation.

However reality is that [Japan] didn't have the necessary cruise missiles or bomber aircraft. Utilizing preemptive strike or military power that goes beyond self-defense would likely deviate from exclusive defense. It would also cost a lot. In the US-Japan security treaty system, the ability to attack enemy bases was left to the US and Japan continued with missile defense preparation.

There is an effectiveness problem. There are the difficult to specify Nodong bases and the North Korean experimentally launched in April mid-range Musudan ballistic missiles which are launched by mobile platforms. And if North Korea was to successfully develop submarine launched ballistic missiles, identifying the location prior to launch and attacking it would be very problematic.

Even with that, the discussion has been floated within the LDP. When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was Chief Cabinet Secretary in 2006, he stated a forward looking thought with "Investigation and research is necessary". With North Korea making more launches this year, the debate has been reignited.

In 2013 the government included "above investigation, the formation of necessary steps" in regards to "ways of response capability against ballistic missile launch means" in the midterm defense buildup program. Now three years after this program, there are provisions to reexamine, to reflect on LDP arguments, and furthermore, the possibility of breaking into it.

北朝鮮が弾道ミサイル発射や核実験を繰り返していることに対し、自民党内で「敵基地攻撃能力」が必要との主張が相次いでいる。仮に必要な武器を導入すれば、防衛費は大幅に増える上、国是の「専守防衛」を大きく踏み越えることにつながりかねない。　（横山大輔）

敵基地攻撃能力については四月の自民党国防部会で複数の議員が「検討すべき状況ではないか」と指摘した。三月には今津寛党安全保障調査会長が「撃つ前にたたくことは、当然考えなければならない」と主張。別の党会合でも大塚拓国防部会長らが言及した。

背景には、北朝鮮が日本を射程に収める二百発の中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンを持ち、「今の迎撃体制では完全には防ぎきれないのでは」との懸念がある。

政府は憲法上、敵基地攻撃は他国の攻撃を阻止する個別的自衛権の範囲内としてきた。一九五六年、鳩山一郎内閣は「自衛権を持つ以上、座して死を待つのが憲法の趣旨ではない」との見解を示した。先に攻撃する「先制攻撃」と区別し、第一撃の攻撃を受けた後や燃料注入開始など日本攻撃に「着手した」と判断した段階で可能としている。

だが、実際には、必要な巡航ミサイルや爆撃機などは保有しなかった。先制攻撃や自衛を超えた武力行使に使え、専守防衛を逸脱しかねないからだ。巨額の費用もかかる。日米安保体制で敵基地攻撃能力は米軍に任せ、日本はミサイル防衛の整備を続けてきた。

実効性の問題もある。敵基地の特定は難しく、ノドンや四月、北朝鮮が発射実験を行った中距離弾道ミサイル・ムスダンは移動式の発射台を持つ。北朝鮮が開発している潜水艦発射弾道ミサイルの技術が確立すれば、撃たれる前に発射位置を特定し、攻撃するのは極めて困難だ。

それでも自民党内ではたびたび議論が浮上。安倍晋三首相も官房長官だった〇六年に「検討・研究は必要だ」と前向きな考えを示していた。今年、北朝鮮が発射を繰り返し、議論が再燃した。

政府は一三年の中期防衛力整備計画で「弾道ミサイル発射手段等に対する対応能力の在り方」に関し「検討の上、必要な措置を講ずる」と盛り込んだ。同計画は三年後の今年に見直す規定があり、自民党の議論を反映し、さらに踏み込む可能性もある。

tokyo-np.co.jp/article/politics/list/201605/CK2016051602000119.html

 

[Suika]

Cape North 17 was an exercise held by the US, Australia, and Japan from February to March.

---start---
Approximately 130 Airmen and multiple F-16 Fighting Falcons departed Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7 and 8, to participate in Exercise COPE NORTH 2017.

CN17 is a multilateral U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored field training exercise, originating here in 1978, now conducted annually at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The mission focuses on air combat tactics and large force employment in an effort to enhance interoperability among U.S., Australian and Japanese forces. CN17 is scheduled from Feb. 15 through Mar. 3.

“COPE NORTH gives us the opportunity to enhance U.S. relations with our regional allies and partners by demonstrating our resolve to promote security and stability throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific,” said Col. Travis Rex, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander.

CN17 provides the opportunity for tri-lateral field training exercises which improves combat readiness, develops synergistic humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief operations, and increases interoperability between the U.S., Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, concentrating on coordination of air tactics, techniques, and procedures.

“Having the opportunity to use the Farallon de Medinilla range at Guam affords our pilots critical training on scenarios they don’t encounter here at Draughon Range,” said Maj. John Tolk, 35th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations. “Being able to drop live ordnances as well as shoot the AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile provides our pilots mission critical training, better preparing us for crisis scenarios.”

The exercise features a full spectrum of fighter, bomber, airlift, tanker, rescue and command and control aircraft, including its first integration of the B-1B Lancer into the display of combat airpower.

“The exercise will increase combat readiness among our allied nations using fighter versus fighter air combat tactics and air-to-ground strike mission training over the Farallon de Medinilla range,” explained Rex. “This large force employment training will enhance our air superiority, interdiction, electronic warfare, tactical airlift and aerial refueling capabilities.”
---end---
pacaf.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/377/Article/1078200/cope-north-2017-set-to-strengthen-multilateral-partnerships-in-pacific.aspx

 

[Suika]

Japan to make a new electronic warfare testing facility.

The Department of Defense made known on December 31st that they will make major preparations towards strengthening electronic warfare for doing things like disrupting radar or telecommunications. A new electronic warfare evaluation system is to begin operation in 2024 at ASDF Gifu base (Gifu prefecture, Kakamigahara-shi) and will reflect on Air-Ground-Maritime SDF electronic warfare equipment. As China and Russia quickly build up their electronic warfare capabilities, The US military is feeling a sense of danger in insuring its superiority. Since the SDF is getting a late start in this area, they are thinking of catching up by introducing a new advanced facility.

At the electronic warfare system to be developed by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, a fighter aircraft will emit electric waves inside of a sealed facility at an enemy radar and the effectiveness of jamming will be experimented. The capability to disable jamming waves emitted from an evaluating antenna will also be tested. In addition to ASDF fighters, the capabilities of air defense systems and warship radar and communication devices will also be evaluated.

The ministry of defense is coming close to beginning research on the evaluating equipment and testing of the equipment is to be carried out in 2021. It'll begin operation at the earliest of 2022 and is aimed to be fully complete by the end of FY2024. 6.2 billion yen [~55 million USD] development cast was added to the 3rd supplementary budget for FY2016.

In modern warfare, networking continues to advance and electronic warfare that interferes with enemy radar and telecommunication devices is becoming more important. A person related to the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency stated that "electronic warfare will decide victory or defeat." It's said that recently, the SDF has confirmed the operation of Chinese aircraft mounting radars that use difficult to jam frequencies.

While it is important to have facilities to test the capabilities of radar and communication instruments in order to strengthen electronic warfare capabilities, the current system in possession of the ASDF Electronic Warfare Evaluation Squadron was obtained in 1990. It is becoming obsolete and is becoming unable to correspond with testing the reflection capabilities of the latest electronic warfare, and is unable to test communication devices.

Electronic warfare is a big lump of secrets and each of the major powers such as the US, China, and Russia, are engaging in intense competitive technology development. From the perspective of protecting its secrets, even the US is reluctant to cooperate with its allied nation Japan, so the Ministry of Defense will domestically develop a new system.

防衛省が敵のレーダーや通信を妨害する電子戦の強化に向け、態勢整備に本格着手することが３１日、分かった。平成３４年度にも航空自衛隊岐阜基地（岐阜県各務原市）で新たな電子戦評価システムの運用を開始し、陸海空自衛隊の電子戦装備に反映する。中国、ロシアが電子戦能力の構築を急速に進めており、米軍は優位性確保に危機感を持つ。自衛隊はこの分野で出遅れていることから、最新施設の導入で巻き返しを図りたい考えだ。

電子戦評価システムは防衛装備庁が開発するもので、密閉された施設内で戦闘機が電波を出し、敵レーダーを標的とした妨害効果を試験する。評価用アンテナから出された妨害電波を無力化する性能もテストする。空自戦闘機のほか、防空システムや艦艇などのレーダーや通信機器の性能評価にも活用する。

防衛省は近く評価装置の研究試作に着手し、３３年度から装置の試験を行う。早ければ３４年度にも運用を開始し、３６年度末までのシステム完成を目指す。２８年度第３次補正予算案に開発費６２億円を計上した。

現代戦ではネットワーク化が進み、敵の通信機器やレーダーを妨害する電子戦の重要性が高まっている。防衛装備庁関係者は「電子戦が勝敗を決する」と述べる。最近では、自衛隊が妨害しにくい周波数を使ったレーダーを搭載した中国軍機の運用が確認されているという。

電子戦能力強化のためにはレーダーや通信機材の性能を試験する施設が必要だが、空自電子戦技術隊が保有する現行のシステムは平成２年に取得したものだ。旧式化が進み、最新の電子戦を反映した性能試験に対応できなくなっているほか、通信機器のテストもできなかった。

電子戦能力は機密の塊で、米中露など主要各国が技術開発にしのぎを削る。米政府は秘密保護の観点から同盟国である日本にも協力に消極的なことから、防衛省は新たなシステムを国産で開発する。

 

[Suika]

Keen Sword 2017

U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) pararescuemen (PJs) jump out of a MC-130J Commando II during the exercise Keen Sword 2017 in Okinawa, Japan. Keen Sword is the largest joint, bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. military and the Japanese military, Oct. 30 to Nov. 11, 2016.

B-1B bombers conducted CAS training with F-2s during Keen Sword 2017

U.S. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) instructor conducted close air support training with their Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) counterpart through during Exercise Keen Sword 2017 on the JS Ohsumi (LST-4001), Nov. 7 2016, and the island of Tinian, Nov. 8 2016.

Keen Sword is the largest joint, bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. military and Japanese Defense Forces (JSDF). The exercise is the designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability within the framework of the U.S.-Japan alliance, Oct. 30 to Nov. 11, 2016.

And some more naval pictures from Keen Sword 2017

 

[Suika]

F-2s with XASM-3 recently spotted.

 

[Suika]

New APC to replace Type 96

 

[Suika]

JGSDF is creating an Amphibious Rapid Deployment brigade that will have 54 AAV7s. Most of them have been purchased already. Here is a Japanese AAV7.

But a new amphibious assault vehicle is under development. The aim is that it'll use a 1,200hp engine from the Type 10 tank and that it'll go 37-47kph in the water, much faster than the AAV7's 13.2kph. Here is a prototype from the development.

 

[Suika]

Iron Fist 2017

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --
“The purpose of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between U.S. and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, as well as to build amphibious capabilities for the JGSDF,” said Col. Chandler Nelms, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer.

Exercise Iron Fist 2017 marks the 12th iteration of the annual event. Traditionally this exercise focused primarily on tactics and operation, but this year’s focus is slightly different.

“The JGSDF Western Army Infantry Regiment is helping to shape an amphibious readiness defense brigade,” said Nelms. “The Marine Corps is the only amphibious arm of the United States military that has expertise in amphibious operations.”

The JGSDF will stand side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts and train in planning and conducting amphibious operations.

“The JGSDF will get a good look at how our Marine Corps forces integrate with our Navy forces…, the joint warfare construct and amphibious planning,” said Nelms.

Iron Fist 2017 will enable continued subject matter expertise exchanges between U.S. forces and JGSDF, strengthening both militaries’ technical and tactical proficiencies.

We have a lot to learn from this, especially the combined arms combat operations and we are ready to learn from the Marines here at Camp Pendleton, said Col. Ryuji Toyota, commanding officer of the Western Army Infantry Regiment.

Exercise Iron Fist will be held in Southern California on Camp Pendleton and other military installations from Feb.6 to March 6. The exercise will include advanced marksmanship, amphibious reconnaissance, landing, and assault operations.

Grenade range

Helo dunker escape

120mm mortar range

AAV7 beach embarkment

Close quarters combat

Military operations in urban terrain

 

[Suika]

Filipino pilots to receive flight training in Japan.

---start---
From November 28th 2016 to March 24th 2017, the Ministry of Defense will carry out flight training for Filipino military pilots on the JMSDF TC-90.

Upon request from the Philippine government, the Japanese government will supply JMSDF TC-90 aircraft for reconnaissance over the waters where there is the South China Sea problem.

The training will be carried out by the 202nd flight training unit of the JMSDF Tokushima flight training group. Philippine Navy lieutenant commanders Ryan Tumanda and Zyril Villacorta will receive the training.

The instruction content has overland flying class of 90 hours. Flight training is planned to be about 170 hours. While the first to be trained are the 2 pilots but by November 2017, a total of 6 pilots will be trained. This is the first time that the JMSDF will train pilots from a different country.

The TC-90 is based off of the King Air C-90, a small propeller aircraft made by American company Beechcraft. It has been sold many times and is used in 76 countries. For the time being, observations over the sea will be done by eyesight but it is planned that a radar will be mounted on the TC-90s and to be used as reconnaissance aircraft.

2016年11月28日～2017年3月24日まで、防衛省は、フィリピン軍パイロットに、海上自衛隊TC-90型練習機の操縦訓練などを実施する。

日本政府は、フィリピン政府の要請を受けて、南シナ海問題で海上を偵察するため海上自衛隊のTC-90を供与する。

育成は、海上自衛隊・徳島教育航空群第202教育航空隊が行う。指導を受けるのは、フィリピン海軍少佐の、ライアン テュマンダ(Ryan Tumanda)氏と、ジリル ヴィラコータ(Zyril Villacorta)氏の2名。

指導内容は、地上での授業、約90時間。飛行訓練、約170時間を予定。第一期は2名で、2017年11月までに計6名のパイロットを育成する。海上自衛隊が他国軍のパイロットを育成するのは初めて。

TC-90のベース機はキングエアC-90で、アメリカ・ビーチクラフト社製の小型プロペラ機。ロングセラー機として、76カ国で使用されている。当面は目視で海上監視にあたり、将来的にはTC-90にレーダーを搭載し偵察機として利用する予定。

---end---

 

[Suika]

US-Japan joint training in Japan with American Ospreys. Japan has been purchasing some Ospreys for themselves so they should be entering service with the SDF sometime later. Japan will acquire 17. Anyway, to the training article.

---start---
New Ospreys of the US military stationed at Air Station Futenma in Okinawa participated in a joint-training between the US military and the JGSDF. It is the first joint-training since the emergency landing accident last year in December.

750 personnel from the JGSDF and the USMC participated in the training held at JGSDF Camp Soumagahara in Gunma prefecture. The aim of the training was to strengthen cooperation in US-Japan joint-operations. JGSDF personnel rode the Ospreys, dropped down by rope, and rescued wounded casualties and carried the wounded back into the Ospreys.

In December last year, an Osprey made an emergency landing while on training and was heavily damaged. The joint-training now is the first time since the accident. In order to reduce the burden on the Okinawa base, the government is moving Osprey training outside of Okinawa. This time's joint-training held inside of Japan uses 6 Osprey's, more than any previous time.

沖縄のアメリカ軍普天間基地に配備されている新型輸送機オスプレイが、去年１２月の不時着事故以来初めてとなる陸上自衛隊とアメリカ軍の共同訓練に参加した。

群馬県の相馬原演習場で公開された訓練には、陸上自衛隊とアメリカ軍の海兵隊約７５０人が参加している。訓練は、共同作戦での日米の連携強化が目的でオスプレイに乗った陸上自衛隊の隊員が、機上からロープを使って降り立つ場面や戦闘での負傷者を救護し、機内へ搬送する訓練が公開された。

オスプレイは去年１２月、沖縄での訓練中に不時着し、機体が大破する事故が起きており、今回は事故後初めての共同訓練。政府は沖縄の基地負担軽減のためオスプレイの訓練の県外移転策を進めており、今回は国内の共同訓練では過去最大の６機が投入された。
---end---
news24.jp/articles/2017/03/10/04356170.html

More joint-training with Ospreys in Niigata prefecture at Sekiyama training grounds.