Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Area Medical Corps Commander 1st Class Momoko Matsuda

Visit to the Self-Defense Forces - Ground Self-Defense Force
Supporting the lives of the nation: Eastern Army Medical Corps

The medical team supports people's lives on the front lines during disasters and emergencies. They are literally a lifeline, managing everything from the health of their team members to treating patients at disaster sites. They hone their response skills on a daily basis so they can be active in emergencies. We spoke with Momoko Matsuda, the head of the medical team, about her thoughts on training and what makes her job rewarding.

■What kind of work do you do?

I am the commander of the medical unit. The medical unit's mission is to provide medical care, including treating and transporting patients and managing their health. It is made up of SDF personnel with a variety of qualifications, including doctors, dentists, nurses, and emergency medical technicians. As the unit's commander, I am responsible for everything from training the personnel to personnel and general affairs, and oversee the unit as an administrator. I also work hard every day to provide opportunities for members with different levels of experience and expertise to work together as a better team.
The Self-Defense Forces' job is to develop personnel and troops who can act when called upon in any situation, including disaster relief and international activities, and they regularly focus on training for this purpose.
For example, when training for disaster relief, we make transportation plans, practice setting up relief facilities, transport patients from there to medical facilities, practice assessing their condition, etc. We also prepare for emergencies by strengthening cooperation on a daily basis between the front lines where patients are found and the hospitals that will provide treatment.

■Please tell us what is attractive about your job.

It is something that is "absolutely necessary." Wherever there are people, their physical and mental health must be protected. This requires the function of "hygiene." As a unit commander, it is also a great joy to see the growth of my unit members. When I worked at the National Defense Medical College, I worked alongside many members who were university students but have now become distinguished medical officers (senior officers who are medical doctors). Watching many of them earn new qualifications and acquire new skills, I truly felt that "people who save lives are being nurtured." I believe that not only saving people on the ground, but also developing people who can save others is also a form of helping others. By improving the abilities of each unit member, the entire team can help others. Being able to contribute to this goal has fulfilled my dream of "doing work that helps people on the ground in the future," which I had as a student after seeing the Self-Defense Forces' performance during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

■What do you value?

First of all, teamwork. Medical personnel work with people, so they need not only medical skills but also interest and consideration for people. Unlike hospitals, which are well-equipped with facilities and equipment, medical personnel do not know what situations they will encounter. One excellent doctor alone cannot save a patient. Teamwork is important so that patients can be treated even in harsh conditions.
I also place great importance on always having a learning attitude. In the Self-Defense Forces, there is a philosophy that "positions develop people." Rather than "I take this position because I'm good at my job," I think, "I grow because I take this position." Throughout my many tours of duty, I have developed a mindset of trying to bridge the gap between ideals and reality. A senior officer once told me, "The unit is a mirror that reflects the commander," and I learned that mistakes made by a unit are due to the commander's shortcomings.
I believe that when things are not going well, there is always a reason, and I have come to value the field and reality, rather than just striving for ideals. There are tough training sessions and tough situations, but I value continuing to learn, both for the small satisfaction of trying to contribute to the teamwork of the unit and for the big goal of saving many patients.

■Message to students

I want you to do things that you can only do now. You never know what experiences you had as a student might be useful, so it's better to try than not to try. Also, the things you're not good at or dislike now will change over time, so don't be too attached to them.
When I was a student, I never thought I would become a member of the Self-Defense Forces, but I have been doing it for 28 years. During your student years, when it is easy to take on any challenge, gain as much experience as you can and cherish your friends.

Student Newspaper April 2025 Issue, Sophia University 4rd Year Student, Minami Yoshikawa

Sophia University third-year student Shirasaka Himawari / Sophia University third-year student Yoshikawa Minami / Toyo University second-year student Koshiyama Rinno / Otsuma Nakano High School third-year student Kato Mayuka / N High School second-year student Hattori Masamasa