[JAPAN CURRENTS] Fukushima 10 Years Later: How Decades of Friendship and Cooperation Led to the Success of Operation Tomodachi

The webinar will be a discussion on the cooperation between the U.S. Armed Forces and Japanese Self-Defense Forces during Operation Tomodachi, which was a joint operation in response to the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that occurred in Fukushima in 2011. As 2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, we welcome Vice Admiral Hiromi Takashima Japan MSDF (ret.) and Admiral Patrick Walsh US Navy (ret.) to share their involvement in the relief efforts and provide insight on how the long-standing alliance between Japan and the United States largely contributed to the success of such a large-scale interagency collaboration. Their discussion will be moderated by award winning KTLA Anchor Frank Buckley.

Speakers

Vice Admiral

Hiromi Takashima

Japan MSDF (ret.)

VADM Hiromi Takashima oversaw the JMSDF participation in Operation Tomodachi as Commander of JMSDF Yokosuka Regional District. In his career, he was also Vice Chief of Joint Staff (2008-2010), Commander of the JMSDF Self-Defense Fleet (2007-2008), and Defense Attache at the Japanese Embassy in Norway (1993-1996).

Admiral

Patrick Walsh

U.S. Navy (ret.)

Admiral Patrick Walsh is a retired, four-star Admiral where he served as the 59^th Vice Chief of Naval Operations, a member of the Deputy Secretary of Defense-led Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), and provided testimony to the House Armed Services Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Seapower Subcommittee.  He held significant leadership positions to include roles in crisis action, conflict resolution, coalition building, and international diplomacy over the course of a 34 year career that began as a carrier-based, combat strike leader, and former Slot Pilot for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and culminated in command of US Pacific Fleet, the largest naval force in the world where he led the US military response to the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and radiation release.

Moderator

Frank Buckley
Award-winning Anchor
KTLA5

Frank Buckley anchors KTLA’s Emmy Award-winning signature broadcast, L.A.’s No.1-rated KTLA 5 Morning News. He is also the host/executive producer of the 30-minute TV show and podcast, Frank Buckley Interviews, airing on weekends on KTLA and also available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

Frank’s reporting has taken him to nearly every community in Southern California and to many locations across the globe. In March 2011, Frank traveled to Japan for KTLA and reported from Sendai immediately after it was devastated by a tsunami and earthquake.

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Japan Currents is made possible by a generous grant from the Embassay of Japan in the U.S.A. and supported by the National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc.

Additional generous support is provided by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, the Aratani Foundation and the Japan Business Association of Southern California.

Supporting Organizations