Special Boarding Unit

Special Boarding Unit
特別警備隊
ActiveMarch 27, 2001 – present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
TypeSpecial forces
RoleSpecial operations
VBSS
SizeClassified,[1] estimated at 90 operators in 2007[2]
Part ofSelf Defense Fleet
Garrison/HQEtajima, Hiroshima
Nickname(s)SBU
Tokketai (In Japanese)
EngagementsBattle of Amami-Ōshima (Did not intervene)
Counter-piracy operations in Somalia[3]
Commanders
Current
commander		Kazuhiro Kuroki
Notable
commanders		Toru Yamaguchi
Insignia
Green SBU Patch
Blue SBU Patch
3 JSDF's SBU operators armed with M4 carbines next to a US Army Green Beret operator from 1st Battalion, 1st SFG (A) armed with his SOPMOD Block II variant M4A1 disembark from an MH-60S helicopter to take up fighting positions during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

The Special Boarding Unit (特別警備隊, Tokubetsukeibitai) is a special forces unit established by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on March 27, 2001, in response to a spy ship incursion that had taken place on the Noto Peninsula in 1999.[4][5] The unit was created to perform similar roles to those undertaken by American Navy SEALs and the British SBS.[1] Its structure is based on that of the SBS.[6] It is based in Etajima, Hiroshima.[7]

The unit's roles involve maritime anti-terrorist duties, including operations where arms are known to be involved.[8][9] However, its duties and responsibilities overlap with those of the Special Security Team, the Japan Coast Guard's counter-terrorist unit.[10] However, the SST has the right to detain anyone lawfully.[11]

Information on SBU personnel, training and weapons is classified and not available.[12] Its operators wear balaclavas to protect their identities when operating where they can be seen.[13] Due to the nature of their duties and responsibilities, an amendment had been passed to raise their salaries.[14]

  1. ^ a b Kakumi Kobayashi & Masato Kurosaki (24 October 2008). "Secrecy hampers SDF death probe". Kyodo News & The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  2. ^ "自衛隊の部隊編成に関する質問に対する答弁書：答弁本文：参議院".
  3. ^ "2ND LD: Japan orders MSDF dispatch for antipiracy mission off Somalia". iStockAnalyst. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Special Operations Units and Intelligence Organizations in Japan". 19 April 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  5. ^ James Brooke (25 December 2001). "Japan Says a Mystery Boat Fired Rockets at Its Ships". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  6. ^ "The new Tokyo Marui AEG: MP5 Japanese Police/Military Version". Renegade Recon. 13 May 2004. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004.
  7. ^ "DoS East Asia and Pacific Region, Japan, Exchange Training, FY 01" (PDF). State Department. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  8. ^ Neville 2019, p. 111.
  9. ^ 「海上自衛隊特別警備隊関係の課程学生の死亡事案について」 (in Japanese). Japanese Ministry of Defense. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  10. ^ Nao Shimoyachi (30 March 2004). "GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  11. ^ "日本にある「4つの特殊部隊」イベント前は結集して会議を". 18 May 2018.
  12. ^ 「答申書 『大湊における寒冷地実習に関する特別警備隊一般命令』の一部開示決定に関する件」 (PDF) (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016.
  13. ^ Nash, Ed (17 December 2019). "The Special Boarding Unit (特別警備隊); Japan's Maritime Teeth - Military History - Military Matters". Ed Nash's Military Matters. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  14. ^ 「防衛庁設置法等の一部を改正する法律」 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2009.