Shigeru Iwasaki served for many years in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), reaching the rank of General. During this time he qualified as a fighter pilot, and was regularly scrambled to counteract violations of Japan’s airspace by Russian and Chinese fighter aircraft.

He took command of the JASDAF 2nd Air Wing, then served as commander at Air Defense Command. He was subsequently appointed Chief of Staff of the JASDF, and then the 4th Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. As a four-star General he was the highest-ranking military officer in Japan and ranked third in the overall chain of command (after the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense)

In 2019, as a member of the Council on Security and Defense Capabilities convened by the Japanese government, General Iwasaki played a key role in the creation of new national defence programmes. He undertook a number of lecture tours nationwide in the defence arena.

His other professional roles have included operating as Special Advisor to Japan’s Government and Executive Advisor to All Nippon Airways.

General Iwasaki graduated from the National Defense Academy of Japan majoring in aeronautical engineering.