Katsutoshi Kawano

Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano with Martin Dempsey (left), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (at the Fort Lesley J. McNair on July 16, 2015)

Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano and Then-Rear Admiral Phillip G. Sawyer, Commander of the Submarine Group 7, in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture on October 13, 2011.

Katsutoshi Kawano was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving in a number of command and staff positions.

In 1991, then-Commander Kawano took command of the JS Oyodo, DE-231. In 1999, then-Captain Kawano took command of MSDF Escort Flotilla 3. In 2004, then-Rear Admiral Kawano took command of the MSDF Sasebo District. In 2008, Kawano took command of the Mine Warfare Force. His career was temporarily in jeopardy when a ship under his command, the JDS Atago (DDG-177), collided with a fishing boat and caused two fishermen to go missing.[6] In 2010, then-Vice Admiral Kawano became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council. One year later, in 2011, he became Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet.[7]

On 26 July 2012, Kawano was promoted to full Admiral and became Chief of Staff of the MSDF, replacing outgoing admiral Masahiko Sugimoto.[8] As MSDF Chief of Staff, he was deeply involved in the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.[9]

Since Holding the Post on October 14, 2014, His Term is extended thrice, beyond his retirement age at 62. First on November 2016, then extended for a whole year through May 27.[10] And got his term extended again until March 31, 2019 as he was replaced by Kōji Yamazaki due to the North Korea Tensions and his close ties with Shinzō Abe.[11]

• – Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)[12]
• – Legion of Merit (Officer and Commander)
• - Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division)[13]