General Yoshihide Yoshida is a Japanese military general who serves as the incumbent Chief of Staff, Joint Staff since March 2023. General Yoshida previously served as Chief of the Ground Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from March 2021 to March 2023, and is the first person to become a General Officer in the JSDF that did not graduate from the National Defense Academy in over 30 years.
Official Portrait for Yoshihide Yoshida
Official Portrait of General Yoshida as Chief of the Ground Staff, JGSDF
General Yoshida with the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General David H. Berger
General Yoshida shaking hands with US Army Chief of Staff General James C. McConville after being presented the US Legion of Merit, with the degree of Commander (2022)
Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff , formerly known as the Chairman of the Joint Staff Council from 1954 to 2006, is the highest-ranking military officer and head of the overall Operational Authority (command) over the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and its three service branches: the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is primarily held by rank of a four-star rank of General or Admiral, the highest rank in the Japan Self-Defense Force. The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is selected from among the Chief of Staff, Ground Self-Defense Force, Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force and Chief of Staff, Air Self-Defense Force on a rotational basis.
Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
Image: Keizo Hayashi 01 (cropped version)
Image: JMSDF Admiral Ichizo Suie
Image: JGSDF General Yoshihide Amano