First and foremost, the BCATs facilitated the communication between the
JSDF and US forces. This being the first time that the two armed forces operated together in a real
emergency, there was a great risk of miscommunication and misunderstanding between the two.
Three BCATs considerably mitigated such a risk. Furthermore, it ensured that the JSDF and US
forces were “on the same page” in their awareness of the situation, and the sense of priority among
the tasks that needed to get done. Finally, BCATs gave the two forces the valuable opportunity to
coordinate their operations in a real emergency, which will be important assets for the two forces as
they continue to deepen their defense relations and prepare themselves for various contingencies.