Yoshihide Yoshida

General Yoshihide Yoshida (吉田 圭秀) (10 October 1962) is a Japanese military general who serves as the incumbent Chief of Staff, Joint Staff since March 2023. General Yoshida previously served as Chief of the Ground Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from March 2021 to March 2023, and is the first person to become a General Officer in the JSDF that did not graduate from the National Defense Academy in over 30 years.

Early life and education
Yoshihide Yoshida was born on 30 October 1962 in Tokyo. As a child, he was known for his gentle looks and stubborn nature. Yoshida was raised in Tokyo, but often moved in his teen years due to his father's job. Yoshida went to the University of Tokyo, where he majored in Urban Engineering. While studying at the university, Yoshida also served as a member of the National Security Research Society and later became interested in the "world of the SDF" during his third year in college upon reading a book relating to Japan's Comprehensive Security Research Program made under the premiership of former Prime Minister Masayoshi Ōhira, and became exposed with learning about strategic planning and national security. After his graduation, he commissioned into the JGSDF in 1986. Yoshida also took the National Institute for Defense Studies General Course in August 2005.

Military career
After graduating at the University of Tokyo in 1986, Yoshida joined the Ground Self-Defense Force Officer Candidate School, and was appointed as Chief Sergeant. In March 1987, Yoshida was placed under the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division, where he became a rifle platoon leader under the 1st Company, and served under the Regiment for three and a half years. Yoshida later served as company commander of the 2nd Company of the 34th Infantry Regiment. In August 1990, Yoshida successfully completed the Ground Self-Defense Force Officer Candidate School. In March 1992, Yoshida served as an General Course Instructor under the Ordinary Course Teaching Regiment, before completing the Ground Self-Defense Force Command and Staff Course (39th term) in August 1993. In August 1995, Yoshida served under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the North America Bureau Japan-US Security Treaty Division, and in August 1997, he was named as company commander in the 34th Infantry Regiment under the 1st Division. Yoshida also served under the Personnel Department as an assistant in 1998, the Planning Section of the Equipment Department in 2000, and the Defense Department of the Defense Section of the Ground Staff Office in 2003.

Yoshida was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 2005 and on August of the same year, Yoshida completed the General Course at the National Institute for Defense Studies. Yoshida later served as a researcher at the Research Headquarters in August 2006. Yoshida was named Head of the Business Planning Group, Defense Department in April 2007, before serving as a Regiment Commander of the 39th Infantry Regiment on March 24, 2009, where he also subsequently served as Camp Commander of Camp Hirosaki at Hirosaki, located in Aomori Prefecture, which is under the jurisdiction of the 9th Division. In March 2010, Yoshida served as the Chief for Policy & Programs Division of the Policy & Programs Department of the Ground Staff Office. Yoshida was named as Director General on Public Affairs, Joint Staff in March 2012, and in August 2013, he was named as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Western Army. In August 2015, Yoshida served as a Cabinet Councilor under the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Secretariat

In August 2017, Yoshida was named as commander of the 8th Division was promoted to Lieutenant General, and was present at the 8th Division Reorganization Ceremony at Camp Kita Kumamoto on 8 March 2018, which transformed the division into a "Rapid Deployment Division" for rapid deployment operations. In April 2020, Yoshida was named as the commander of the Ground Component Command, where he led the creation of various reforms for various strategies towards a unified rapid response under a centralized command. On 26 March 2021, Yoshida was appointed to the Chief of the Ground Staff of the JGSDF, the highest position in the service. As Chief of the Ground Staff, Yoshida collaborated with various leaders aimed to enhance partnerships within the Asia-Pacific Region. On 3 June 2021, Yoshida had announced that he had a telephone conference with the Philippines' Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and discussed higher levels of co-operation between the JGSDF and the Philippine Army. On 24 June 2021, Yoshida had announced that he had a telephone conference with the Indian Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, where they expanded defense ties between the two countries. On 2 December 2021, Yoshida announced new cyber warfare initiatives to be taken by the JGSDF, in co-operation with the US Navy and the US Army. On 30 March 2023, the Ministry of Defense appointed General Yoshida as the next Chief of Staff, replacing General Kōji Yamazaki.

Awards in Military Service

 * Us legion of merit officer rib.png- Officer, Legion of Merit
 * US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png- Commander, Legion of Merit (2022)

Defensive memorial cordon

 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 03.svg 3rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 07.svg 7th Defensive Memorial Cordon	with 2 silver cherry blossom
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 11.svg 11th Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 15.svg 15th Defensive Memorial Cordon	with 1 silver cherry blossom
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 16.svg 16th 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 21.svg 21st Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 22.svg 22nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
 * Japan Self-Defense Forces Service Ribbon 24.svg 24th 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
 * 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 37.svg 37th 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