U.S. Army Japan showcases disaster response readiness at Big Rescue Kanagawa 2026

U.S. and Japanese military, government, medical and emergency response organizations showcased combined disaster-response capabilities during Big Rescue Kanagawa 2026, a large-scale joint disaster drill held Sept. 1 in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The drill brought together the Japan Self-Defense Forces, U.S. military, Kanagawa Prefecture, local hospitals and civilian emergency response organizations to demonstrate coordinated rescue, medical and disaster response during a simulated large-scale emergency.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended with other senior officials, including the foreign minister, defense minister and the Kanagawa governor, observing rescue, medical and emergency response demonstrations. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Dooghan, commanding general of U.S. Army Japan, met with the prime minister on behalf of the United States, underscoring the longstanding U.S.-Japan partnership and the need for close coordination before disasters strike. U.S. Army Japan participated alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, showcasing support capabilities U.S. forces stationed in Japan can provide during a crisis.

The event highlighted how Army aviation and medical units contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster response while building the relationships required for an effective real-world operation. U.S. Army Aviation Battalion-Japan demonstrated the ability to rapidly move personnel and provide aerial support, particularly when ground transportation is limited or disrupted.

Medical personnel from U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan worked with Japanese medical partners and a tri-service U.S. team that included U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and the 374th Medical Group. The teams demonstrated patient reception, bilateral triage and treatment, casualty movement and coordination across military and civilian medical systems.

“Big Rescue Kanagawa demonstrates that during a crisis, medical response knows no branch or border,” said Col. Michele Kehrle, commander of U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan. “By working shoulder-to-shoulder with our Navy, Air Force and Japanese medical partners, we practice the joint and bilateral triage and treatment procedures necessary to evaluate and treat casualties seamlessly. This close coordination ensures that wherever a patient receives care, our combined medical systems can provide rapid, lifesaving support when every second counts.”

The medical demonstration emphasized that effective crisis response relies on both capabilities and the ability of organizations to communicate, coordinate and move patients across different systems. With Japan’s record of earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters, preparedness remains a priority. Exercises like Big Rescue Kanagawa help participating organizations practice coordination, identify complementary strengths and reinforce relationships in advance of emergencies, as U.S. Army Japan continues efforts with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, local governments, hospitals and emergency responders to support communities during crises.