Katsutoshi Kawano

Katsutoshi Kawano (河野克俊) is the 31st and current Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the de facto navy of Japan. He was promoted to four-star Admiral and assumed the position on July 26, 2012.

Career
Kawano was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. He attended the National Defense Academy of Japan, graduating in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving in a number of command and staff positions.

In 1991, then-Commander Kawano took command of the JS Oyodo, DE-231. In 1999, then-Captain Kawano took command of MSDF Escort Flotilla 3. In 2004, then-Rear Admiral Kawano took command of the MSDF Sasebo District. In 2008, Kawano took command of the Mine Warfare Force. His career was temporarily in jeopardy when a ship under his command, the JDS Atago (DDG-177), collided with a fishing boat and caused two fishermen to go missing. In 2010, then-Vice Admiral Kawano became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council. One year later, in 2011, he became Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet.

In 2012, Kawano was promoted to full Admiral and became Chief of Staff of the MSDF, replacing outgoing admiral Masahiko Sugimoto. As MSDF Chief of Staff, he has been deeply involved in the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.