First Lieutenant Nobuyasu Hamahata at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture. (©Sankei by Tsubasa Matsuzaki)
First Lieutenant Nobuyasu Hamahata had dreamed of becoming a pilot since elementary school. He even wrote his wish to soar through the skies on a note and sealed it in a time capsule. Years later, he realized that dream in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Since then, he has made major contributions in disaster response both at home and abroad.
Hamahata is among those selected for the Japan Self-Defense Forces of the People Award, which honors Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Force personnel whose remarkable achievements inspire the public. The award ceremony will be held in October at the Hotel Grand Hill Ichigaya in Tokyo.
Relief Efforts
In 2004, following the massive earthquake off Sumatra, Indonesia, Hamahata joined international emergency operations that lasted 83 days. Driven by the thought, "I want to help the victims in any way I can," he flew missions delivering medical teams and relief supplies.
In doing so, he became a vital part of Japan's contribution to global humanitarian efforts. "In disaster relief, you can see the results of your work. Even bringing a little comfort to people makes it worthwhile," he says.
Some moments remain seared into his memory. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, he witnessed mountains of rubble and flames lighting up the sky. Confronted with devastated towns, he was left speechless. Steeling himself, he devoted his efforts to responding to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and supporting disaster victims.
Crew as Family
Guided by the motto "Revere Heaven, Love Mankind" — coined by educator Masanao Nakamura (1832–1891) and famously embraced by samurai Takamori Saigo (1828–1877) — Hamahata places great importance on trust within his crew.
If he notices a colleague in low spirits, he reaches out without hesitation. "Mission success depends on teamwork. We're like a family," he explains. That spirit of unity has also helped him achieve 3,500 hours of accident-free flight.
Even while devoting himself to training younger personnel, Hamahata continues to refine his own skills. "Warfare is changing with advances in science and technology. I make it a point to keep learning so I can meet whatever missions come my way," he says with conviction.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Tsubasa Matsuzaki, The Sankei Shimbun
