The is a military base operated by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) located in Ambouli, Djibouti alongside the Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport.
It is the JSDF's first full-scale, long-term overseas base. As of 2025, Colonel Fumihito Tanaka is the base commander/Deployment Support-Group for Counter Piracy Enforcement in Djibouti commander.https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250821-276416/
Background Since their establishment in the 1950s following World War II, Japan's Self-Defense Forces have concerned themselves only with defense of the home islands. In the 1990s, JSDF contingents were dispatched to Cambodia under the UN and to Iraq to aid in reconstruction efforts. These were relatively short-term missions and used temporary bases.Yomiuri Provides More Details on Djibouti Base May 28, 2011 Japan Security Watch
Throughout 2009, in response to piracy off the coast of Somalia members of the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries including Japan, China, Australia, and many others deployed personnel, air and naval resources as part of global anti-piracy measures. In July 2009, the National Diet passed the "Anti-piracy measures law".
From March 2009, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) deployed the destroyers and .Japan destroyers set sail on anti-piracy mission April 20, 2009 CNN Retrieved November 23, 2016 The JMSDF also deployed two P-3 Orion patrol aircraft to Djibouti, which began patrols on June 11, 2009.Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia September 2012 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retrieved November 21, 2016 From 2009 to 2011, the aircraft operated from Camp Lemonnier, which is run by the United States Navy.Japan: Joining the Anti-Piracy Effort off the Somali Coast May 28, 2009 Retrieved November 21, 2016Here’s how Coalition Patrol Planes Hunt Somali Pirates in the Horn of Africa January 23, 2013 The Aviationist Retrieved November 21, 2016Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia February 15, 2016 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retrieved November 21, 2016
History On April 3, 2009, then Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf signed a letter on the legal and official status of JSDF troops in Djibouti operating in the area for anti-piracy operations.
In March 2011, the JMSDF established its own base nearby with 180 troops deployed there on a four-month rotational basis, with a command headquarters, boarding facilities and parking apron, at a cost of ¥4.7 billion yen (US$40 million).
In 2015, two of the JMSDF's new Kawasaki P-1 patrol aircraft deployed to the base, to continue with operational trials within tropical and desert climates.Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Japan Seeks To Export its New Sub-Hunting Plane." The Diplomat, 9 July 2015.
Three Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron were sent to the base in July 2016 to evacuate Japanese citizens from Juba in South Sudan after fighting broke out there.Yoshida, Reiji SDF is ordered to evacuate Japanese nationals from South Sudan July 11, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved November 23, 2016 They were expected to pick up around 70 Japanese citizens.
In August 2016, Tomomi Inada, the then Japanese Minister of Defense, visited the base.New defense chief Tomomi Inada meets SDF personnel engaged in anti-piracy mission off Somalia August 15, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved November 25, 2016
In November 2016, it was announced that the Japanese government was considering expanding the site by leasing more land to the east. It was considering deploying C-130 Hercules aircraft and Bushmaster armoured vehicles. This was reportedly so that Japan could more easily rescue Japanese citizens in Africa.Japan to expand Djibouti military base to counter Chinese influence October 13, 2016 Reuters Retrieved November 21, 2016
From September 25 to October 2, 2017, the SDF conducted a drill in Djibouti to practice rescuing Japanese nationals.
In November 2017, a C-2 of the 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron deployed to the base for the first time. In the same month, it was confirmed that the base would be expanded. Currently , Japan will lease on the eastern side of the SDF base.
In December 2023, the base was designated as a base of operations for transporting Japanese national from conflict zones.https://www.arabnews.jp/en/japan/article_110976/
Units
The following units are based in Djibouti:
See also Other military bases in Djibouti: Chinese People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti Camp Lemonnier Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport
References