Photo/Illutration Shigeru Iwasaki speaks as chief of staff of the Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces in April 2013. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

TAIPEI—In a key security appointment, the former top uniformed officer of the Self-Defense Forces has been appointed as a political affairs consultant to Taiwan's Cabinet, sources said.

According to Taiwanese administration sources, Shigeru Iwasaki, who once served as chief of staff of the Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces, has been appointed as a political adviser in March.

He will serve in the post for one year. It is extremely rare for a former SDF senior official to take a position in the Taiwanese administration.

The appointment is seen as a move by Taiwan to strengthen security ties with Japan. However, it is possible that China will oppose it.

At a news conference on March 21, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment on Iwasaki's appointment.

“The government is not in a position to comment on the activities of a private individual who has retired from public service,” he said.

On assuming the position, Iwasaki met with Premier Chuo Jung-tai, equivalent to the Japanese prime minister.

The position of a political affairs consultant to Taiwan's Executive Yuan is part time and unpaid. Japanese restaurant owner Takao Nozaki was the first foreigner to be appointed in the past.

Nozaki assumed the post in August 2024, and his term lasts a year.

After serving as head of the Air SDF, Iwasaki served as chief of staff of the Joint Staff from January 2012 to October 2014.

After retiring as the head of the SDF, Iwasaki served as a special policy adviser to the Defense Ministry.

In 2023, he received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, which is the highest award given to those who have served in public service for many years.

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