Katsutoshi Kawano

Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan 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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the de facto navy of Japan.

Early life and education
Katsutoshi Kawano was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido on November 28, 1954. He is the son of Imperial Japanese Navy & Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear admiral Katsuji Kawano, and is the fourth child among five siblings. His father was the Commanding Officer of Sub Area Activity Hakodate and participated in World War II as a young officer of the Imperial Japanese Navy and participated in the Pearl Harbor Attacks as a chief engineer for the Japanese submarine I-16. After his father retired as, Kawano and his family moved to Ibaraki City in Osaka Prefecture. Two months before Katsutoshi was born, Katsuji was involved during the rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the sinking of the JNR train ferry Tōya Maru due to Tōya Maru Typhoon.

Kawano entered Kasugaoka High School during his high school years and aspired to be an naval officer under the influence of his father and attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving in a number of command and staff positions. In 1990, Kawano also holds a Master of International Studies degree from the University of Tsukuba.

Career




In 1991, then-Commander Kawano took command of the JS Oyodo, DE-231, an Abukuma-class 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 Yasushi Matsushita.

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.

On 14 October 2014, Admiral Kawano was named by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan 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 in November 2016, and was extended for a whole year through May 27, due to the North Korea Tensions and for his key strategic insights which gained the support of then-Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. Kawano got his term extended again for the last time until he was replaced by Kōji Yamazaki on March 31, 2019.

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

 * Spange des König-Abdulaziz-Ordens.png – Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)
 * Us legion of merit officer rib.png US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png – Legion of Merit (Officer and Commander)
 * Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png - Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division)

Defensive memorial cordons

 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 02.svg 2nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 03.svg 3rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 11.svg 11th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 17.svg 17th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 18.svg 18th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 19.svg 19th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 20.svg 20th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 21.svg 21st Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 22.svg 22nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 25.svg 25th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 26.svg 26th Defensive Memorial Cordon with 2 gold cherry blossoms
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 32.svg 32nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 33.svg 33rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 36.svg 36th Defensive memorial cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 37.svg 37th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 38.svg 38th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 40.svg 40th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 41.svg 41st Defensive Memorial Cordon