JGSDF Ogawa by Dragon

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( JGSDF) is the military ground force (army) of Japan. After Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration in 1945, the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy were dismantled. The Potsdam Declaration or the Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender was a statement issued on July 26, 1945 by President of the United States Harry S Truman, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill and President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek which outlined the terms of surrender for the Empire of Japan as agreed upon at the Potsdam Conference. This ultimatum stated that if Japan did not surrender, it would face "prompt and utter destruction". Japan's initial rejection of the ultimatum led directly to Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9. Since the end of World War II, Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan prohibits the use of military forces unless for self-defence purposes. 

Before the TDF UG engages the monsters that attacked Japan, the JGSDF would most probably be called upon to form the first line of defense. This JGSDF soldier "Ogawa" was released by Dragon in 2002.

Basic JGSDF Infantryman "Ogawa" in BDU

Close-up of "Ogawa"

JGSDF Equipment

Entrenching Tool

The ET is foldable and kept in a carrier on his webbing

JGSDF bayonet with scabbard. The bayonet manufactured specifically for the Type-89 rifle can be used as a wire cutter by connecting it to a lug on the scabbard. Furthermore, the end of the bayonet scabbard can be used as a bottle opener.

JGSDF Infantryman's basic weapon - the Howa Heavy Industry Type 89 Assault Rifle

"Ogawa" all geared up with his JGSDF equipment

In early January 2004, the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG) comprising a battalion-sized, largely humanitarian contingent of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was sent to Samawah, Southern Iraq to conduct operations such as water purification, reconstruction and reestablishment of public facilities for the Iraqi people. This marked a significant turning point in Japan's history, as it represented the first foreign deployment of Japanese troops since the end of World War II. The JIRSG was part of the multinational force in Iraq and was withdrawn by late July 2006.