Izumo — Under crisp autumn skies, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Izumo Garrison held a ceremony and parade along Kunibiki Central Street — a roughly 400-metre stretch from JR Izumo Station to Izumo City Hall — to mark its 72nd anniversary on 11th October. Spectators waving national flags lined the route.
Troops from JGSDF Izumo Garrison march through Kunibiki Central Street.
The military parade featured about 120 personnel and 43 vehicles, including several domestically produced Type 16 Manoeuvre Combat Vehicles. Around 2,000 spectators, including lawmakers and local officials, gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The ceremony opened with a performance by the JGSDF 13th Band. It was followed by a performance by the Takaoyama Red Club, a local bicycle display team inspired by the Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)’s aerobatic squadron Blue Impulse. Formed by volunteer personnel from the Takaoyama Sub Base, which operates the JASDF radar site in Mihonoseki on the Shimane Peninsula, the team performs at community events across the region. Its name, Red Club — which means “Red Crab” — refers to the prized snow crab caught in nearby coastal waters.
The JASDF cycling team, Takaosan Red Club, performs its formation display.
Lt. Col. Daisuke Komatsu, commander of the 13th Reconnaissance and Combat Battalion and commander of the JGSDF Izumo Garrison, expressed gratitude in his address, quoting the Self-Defense Forces’ service oath, and saying:
“Thanks to the support from the citizens of Izumo and the people of Shimane Prefecture, we are able to conduct this parade in the heart of the city.
In an increasingly complex and severe international environment, we will respond promptly and decisively as the first force in times of disaster, and when duty calls, we will fulfil our missions without hesitation, even at the risk of our own safety.”
Former Maritime Self-Defense Force officer and current member of the House of Representatives Yasuhiro Takami encouraged the troops by recalling his years of service.
“Whenever your missions feel difficult, I hope you will remember this scene,” he said, addressing active members.
The marching column included flags from each municipality in Shimane Prefecture, followed by a convoy of GSDF vehicles. Among them, one operated by a female GSDF member drew particular attention, highlighting the growing role of women within Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. It was one of the few occasions in Japan when the garrison’s vehicles conducted a parade through the city centre, reflecting growing public interest and understanding toward the Self-Defense Forces. The parade concluded with a flyover by a UH-1J helicopter, drawing cheers from spectators.
A Type 16 MCV
Luiz Carlos dos Santos, a former Brazilian police officer who now runs a steakhouse in Izumo, said he was impressed by the parade’s precision and discipline.
“It was perfectly organised — beautiful to watch,” he said.
Established in 1953, the Izumo Garrison has expanded its personnel in line with Japan’s evolving security environment.
The 13th Reconnaissance and Combat Battalion, founded last year, conducts intelligence and surveillance missions while also maintaining combat readiness. The unit participated in the Japan-U.S.-Australia joint military exercise Southern Jackaroo, held from May to June this year.
The battalion is under the command of the JGSDF 13th Brigade, headquartered at Camp Kaitaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture. The brigade is responsible for defence and disaster relief operations covering the five prefectures of Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, and Tottori.
The garrison, overlooking the Sea of Japan, plays a vital role in both national defence and disaster-response operations. Across the sea lie nations of strategic interest to Japan, which may make this quiet region a crucial area for its security, and disaster-response framework.
Japan’s overall security environment has undergone significant changes in recent years. North Korea’s missile launches and China’s maritime activities around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea have heightened tensions in the region.
In response, Japan has strengthened cooperation with its ally, the United States, and with Australia as an important security partner, while reinforcing its domestic readiness for contingencies and natural disasters through expanded personnel and upgraded equipment.
The event also reflected the close bond between the JGSDF and the local community. Families with children lined the streets, many expressing surprise at the size of the vehicles — a rare sight that underscored their connection with the troops.
The anniversary ceremony and parade, which marked its 19th edition this year, embodied not only the discipline of the Self-Defense Forces but also the quiet pride shared between the troops and the community they serve.
ーWords by Takashi Saito
Caption: The Shimane Prefecture flag, borne by the colour guard, passes before the national flag.