| Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 水陸機動団 Suirikukidōdan | |
 Official ARDB insignia. | |
| Active |
|
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Marines |
| Role | Amphibious warfare |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Ground Component Command |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Shinichi Aoki[4] |
TheAmphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (水陸機動団,Suirikukidōdan)[5] is the only marines brigade units of theJapan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) responsible for conducting amphibious warfare, coastal defence, and rapid response operations to security threats in island areas in Japanese territorial waters if invaded.
The ARDB is based at Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.[6]
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In light oftensions over theSenkaku Islands and the decision for putting theChinese Coast Guard under military control,[7][8] Japan started the process of creating an elite marine unit. This brigade was designed to conduct amphibious operations and to recover any Japanese islands taken by an adversary.[9][10]
In 2006, Japan devised a plan to respond to this threat as outlined in the Defense Programs and Budget of Japan. Thus Japan prepared an amphibious force with the necessary know-how, acquired amphibious and other vehicles for such warfare. Prior to this, training was conducted with theU.S. Marine Corps such as "Iron Fist" and the integrated exercise "Dawn Blitz" in which the JSDF participated.[11]
In theRim of the Pacific Exercise of 2014, theJapan Ground Self-Defense Force participated for the first time with amphibious warfare training between the U.S. Marine Corps and the GSDF for multilateral exercises. In Japan, joint exercises are also conducted by inviting the U.S. Marine Corps at JGSDF Camp Soumagahara (Gunma Prefecture) and training with the dispatch of GSDF members to the U.S. Marine Corps inOkinawa Prefecture.[12]
In 2016, 300 WAIR soldiers were sent to Camp Pendleton for marine training.[13] They were also trained to prepare for the ARDB's establishment.[13]
On March 27, 2018, groundwork for the creation of the ARDB was completed.[14]
On April 7, 2018, Japan activated its first marine unit sinceWorld War II.[15] The marines of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)'s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, gathered at a ceremony activating the brigade at JGSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo.[16] The Brigade is trained to counter invaders from occupyingJapanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea that Tokyo considers vulnerable to attack.[15]
150 ARDB soldiers were deployed for the first time in an overseas training exercise withAmerican andFilipino marines in Operation Kamandag in October 2018.[17] This was the first time that Japanese armored vehicles were on foreign soil since WW2.[18] The marine unit also dispatched 300 soldiers to participate inExercise Talisman Saber in July 2019, training in amphibious landings atQueensland, Australia along withAustralian soldiers and American andBritish marines.[19][20] The ARDB suffered its first casualty when a 38-year old JGSDF soldier, Suguru Maehara, with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, was killed in a vehicular accident during joint exercises with US and Filipino troops on 7 October 2018. The vehicle he was riding in collided with another vehicle in Subic Bay.[21]
On March 10, 2021, 55 recruits passed the training course for the ARDB, including two women.[22] The two women, Sergeants First Class Azusa Unno and Misaki Hirata, had participated in the unit's 16th training session.[23]
In March 2024, the 3rd Regiment was formally activated at Camp Takematsu in Nagasaki.[24]Minister of DefenseMinoru Kihara presented the regimental flag to commanding officer, Col. Takada.[24] These "regiments" are battalion size units.
On May 13, 2025, it's reported that the ARDB will train with theRepublic of Korea Marine Corps.[25]
Inter-operability will be a key component of ARDB operations with the JGSDF planning to establish a significant aviation capability atSaga Airport, sixty kilometers from the ARDB's base at Camp Ainoura. The aviation element is to be based inKyushu starting in 2025 and is to consist of 17V-22 aircraft and about 50Black Hawk andApache Longbow helicopters.[26]
The ARDB is composed of the following:[27][28]
| Official name | Rank | Full name | Assigned date | Former post |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commander of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and Commander of Aiura Garrison | Major general | Takanori Hirata (平田隆則) | December 20, 2019 | Deputy Chief of Staff of theWestern Army (Japan) |
| Deputy Commander | Colonel | Yūji Hirata (平田雄嗣) | March 23, 2019 | 2nd Soda Education Team Leader |
| Senior staff | Colonel | Seiji Uesono (上薗誠司) | March 27, 2018 | General manager, Regional Liaison Coordination Division, General Affairs Department |
ARDB forces are equipped with light infantry weapons, including:[29]
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The ARDB is also equipped with US and Japanese-made military vehicles and aircraft such as:[29]
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