Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi addresses paratroopers at the Narashino Training Area in Chiba Prefecture on January 11. (©Sankei by Shunsuke Sakamaki)
On January 12, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Narashino Training Area in Chiba Prefecture to observe the annual New Year parachute drill.
Although strong winds canceled the scheduled parachute jumps, ground training went ahead with the participation of 14 countries. Koizumi took part in a simulated parachute jump as part of the inspection.
After expressing his commitment to protecting and supporting Self-Defense Force members and their families, he jumped from an 11-meter-high training tower. Afterwards, he told reporters, "Wow ... that was pretty intense."
Dog-Like Robot
The event also featured a Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV) called Vision 60. A CH-47 helicopter landed at the site and unloaded the robot, which was then seen operating alongside Self-Defense Force personnel.
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Author: Shunsuke Sakamaki, The Sankei Shimbun
