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As part of RUSI’s conference on the Future Submarine, organisers have managed to secure the speaking talents of two Japanese submariners.

Vice Admiral Yoji Koda (Retd) is a graduate of Japan Defense Academy (1972), JMSDF Staff College, and the US Naval War College.

As a surface warfare officer, he took commanded of JS Sawayuki (DD-125), Flotilla Three and Fleet Escort Force, at sea.

His shore duty includes Director General (DG) for Plans and Operations, Maritime Staff and DG of the Joint Staff.

He retired from JMSDF as Commander in Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, in 2008.

Then, he was invited to Asia-Center, Harvard University as a research fellow on the US-Japan Alliance and Chinese Navy (2009 to 2011).

He is a proficient writer on maritime and strategic subjects, and his most recent articles include “A new Carrier Race” and “The Russo-Japanese War” published from US Naval War College.

He is one of contributors of “Refighting the Pacific War (Alternative History of World War II)” from the US Naval Institute in 2011.

He is currently as an advisor to National Security Agency.

Vice Admiral Masao Kobayashi, JMSDF (Retd) served with distinction in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

He graduated from the Japanese Defense Academy in 1973 and commenced a career in the JMSDF submarine service.

He had held many posts in the submarine force.

Shore billets included Submarine Branch Head in the Ship Systems Section in the Maritime Staff Office and Operations Officer in the Fleet Submarine Force.

He has commanded Takashio SS-571, (Uzushio class), and has been the Commander of Submarine Division Two.

In 2001/2 he was the Commander of Submarine Flotilla One, and was Coordinator of Exercise at sea for Pacific Reach 2002.

His last post was Commander of the Fleet Submarine Force. He retired from the JMSDF in 2009.

Given the ongoing influence of the so-called Option J of a Japanese submarine, these two speakers will be of great interest to those following the submarine debate.

 

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