Central Readiness Force
| Central Readiness Force | |
|---|---|
| 中央即応集団 Chūō Sokuō Shūdan | |
Central Readiness Force insignia | |
| Active | March 28, 2007 – March 26, 2018 |
| Country | Japan |
| Branch | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Rapid Reaction Force |
| Size | ≈4,500 personnel |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Zama, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Nickname(s) | CRF |
| Engagements | United Nations Mission in Nepal United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti Counter-piracy operations in Somalia |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lt. Gen. Josho Yamaguchi |
The Central Readiness Force (中央即応集団, Chūō Sokuō Shūdan) was established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency. It was initially based at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo.
The command supervised a number of different units, whose roles ranged from special forces operations to advance preparation for greater JSDF deployments. The unit could also be deployed as Japan's response to combat operations during peacekeeping missions as a rapid reaction force.
On 26 March 2013, the force was officially transferred to Camp Zama, in Sagamihara, in the Kanagawa Prefecture. As a part of the Japanese government's National Defense Program Guidelines which were developed in response to the need to improve the JGSDF's capabilities to deal with new defense issues such as foreign peacekeeping operations and anti-terrorist operations.
The CRF held a formal ceremony at Camp Askaka on March 31, 2007, during which Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, who was the guest of honour, formally inaugurated the force. Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi (山口淨秀 陸将; Yamaguchi Josho Rikushō) was the CRF's first commanding officer. The last commander of the CRF was Lt. Gen. Shigeru Kobayashi, who was appointed on July 1, 2016.
The CRF was officially disbanded on March 26, 2018 with most of its subordinate units restructured and integrated into the newly established Ground Component Command.