Yoshifumi Hibako
Born (1951-05-15) May 15, 1951 (age 72)
Fukuoka Prefecture
Allegiance Japan
Service/branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Years of service36
Rank General
Unit1st Airborne Brigade
Commands heldCentral Army; Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
AwardsLegion of Merit
Other workMitsubishi Heavy Industries

Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi, born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served as the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy. He has served in multiple capacities, including the chief of staffs of the GSDF Northern Army during the Iraq War, commanding officer of the Chūbu region Army Headquarters, and has even acted as a Japanese foreign representative when meeting officers of other countries.

Gen. Yoshifumi Hibako and Gen. George W. Casey Jr. (August 2009)

Life

Hibako entered the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1974.[1]

Career

After graduating from the Academy, Hibako entered the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1974. He participated in the reconstruction phase of the Iraq War as leader of the GSDF Northern Army. As a mission of the type that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had never dealt with, Hibako had to determine what tactics and equipment to use without much past guidance.[1] In 2007, he served as vice-president of his alma mater, the National Defense Academy.[2]

Hibako was appointed the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in March 2009. His role includes advising the Ministry of Defense and overseeing the administration of the GSDF, and ensuring defense, disaster relief, and maintaining ties with foreign military.[1] He has also acted in a semi-diplomatic role, meeting with Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Liang Guanglie to discuss relations between the two countries in February 2010.[3] He represented Japan at a conference for world militaries to discuss disaster relief and management.[4]

Medals

References

  1. ^ a b c "Interview : Chief of Staff, GSDF General Yoshifumi Hibako". Japan Defense Focus. Shinjuku, Tokyo: Japan Ministry of Defense. November 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  2. ^ Shin-who, Kang (11 January 2007). "Military Academies Seek Global Network". The Korea Times. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  3. ^ "China, Japan urged to properly handle bilateral issues". China Daily. Beijing. Communist Party of China. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  4. ^ Bhatti, Christina (24 August 2009). "Senior Army leaders from 26 nations gather in Tokyo to discuss security, cooperation". United States Army. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
Military offices Preceded byRyuichi Oriki Chief of StaffJapan Ground Self-Defense Force 2009-2011 Succeeded byEiji Kimizuka
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