CAPT Takamichi Takahashi, JMSDF

CAPT Takamichi Takahashi graduated from National Defense Academy of Japan in March 1982. And he graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) of JMSDF and was commissioned as an Ensign in March 1983. (During this period, he completed a correspondence course on International Law of Maritime Staff College (MSC).

Following the first tour of sea duty (1983-88) as a junior officer, he reported to OCS as an instructor for International Law in January 1988. (1988- Aug. 1990)

After completing the Department Head course of Surface Warfare & Seamanship School of JMSDF, he reported JS ISOSYUKI as the navigator of in August 1990.

From Apr to Nov, 1991, CAPT Takahashi participated in the mine sweeping operation at the Gulf after Desert Storm, the first JSDF’s deployment to an international operation, as the navigator of JS TOKIWA (AOE).

From 1993 to 1995, he attended the graduate school of Tsukuba University and earned an M.A in writing treatise on the relation between Japanese Diplomacy and Imperial Navy. At the same time, he completed the Command & Staff course of MSC.

From Mar 1995 to Mar 1997, he served as staff for international training and exercises in the Operations Division of the Maritime Staff Office (MSO).

In Nov 1997, He was assigned to a task team to establish the Bilateral Planning Committee (BPC), which is the combined military planning body of JSDF and U.S. Armed Force.

In Mar 1998, CAPT. Takahashi assumed command of JS SHIMAYUKI until August 1999. After completion of this mission, he became OPS staff, Escort Fleet in Aug 1999.

With promotion to CAPT in 2001, from Jul. 2001 to Jul 02, he attended Naval Command College, NWC in Newport RI. (During his time there, he experienced the tragic incident of 9-11 and he observed first hand the action of American people and their military.)

In Sep 2002, CAPT. Takahashi returned to the USA as a visiting fellow of the Henry. L. Stimson Center, a think- tank in Washington D.C. As a fellow, he wrote “Strategies for the War on Terrorism, a Japanese Perspective”.

From Dec 2002 to Mar 2004, CAPT. Takahashi was assigned to Plans and Policy Section, MSO and he was involved in the force planning and transformation of JMSDF.

Since December 2004, he had served as Director of OPS and Plans, Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet for three years. During this time, he was dispatched to Banda Ache for Tsunami Relief OPS, participated in COBRA-GOLD05/06, NWPAC 05/06/07 (a bilateral war game), and dealt with BMs Launch and Nuclear experiments by North Korea. He arrived in Annapolis in May 18, 2008 to start his current mission.