Taking Command: JMSDF's Captain Miho Otani

With so much sabre rattling going on in the South China Seas, we're happy to continue the follow the remarkable career of Japan's newest Captain of the Asagiri Class Destroyer JS Yamagiri (DD-152) Captain Miho Otani. As previously blogged here and elsewhere, Captain Otani is the first female Captain of a destroyer in the JMSDF. She commands a crew of 220 people including ten women sailors. She's come a long away since her days as a university student watching the Gulf War on TV wondering how she could make a difference. She is the mother of a twelve year old daughter and wife to another JMSDF destroyer Captain. 

Captain Otani is described as being both friendly and fair to her crew particularly to the concerns for her crew's families. Make no mistake, she sails into some troubled waters in the South China Seas and we believe she is more than up to the task. Hence, we at American Mishima wish Captain Otani continued success and to continue to make a difference out there. がんばって ください!

JMSDF Appoints First Female Officer to Command a Destroyer

We at American Mishima would like to share with you some news we got from the Naval Forces News of Japan. The JMSDF appointed Commander Miho Otani to command the Asagiri-Class Destroyer Yamagiri(DD-152). The 44 year old Osaka native & Etajima Naval Academy Graduate becomes the first female officer to command a ship in the JMSDF. We wish Commander Otani Great Success and a personal がんばって ください!