title: Manki Yamashita
text: # Manki Yamashita
  
  Manki Yamashita (山下万喜, Yamashita Manki, born 2 August 1960) is a Japanese naval officer who served as the Self Defense Fleet's Commander of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) from 2016 to 2019. He is the 49th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Yasuhiro Shigeoka. In 2019, he was succeeded by Hiroyuki Kasui.
  
  ## Career
  
  Born in Kumamoto prefecture. In March 1983, he was graduated from the 27th term (electrical engineering) of the National Defense Academy, joined the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
  
  In July 1997, he promoted to 2nd class Kaisa.
  
  In March 1998, he was transferred to the escort ship Setogiri artillery chief and deputy chief.
  
  On 26 March 1999, he became the Captain of the escort ship Matsuyuki.
  
  On 24 March 2000, Operation Division, Defense Department, Maritime Staff Office.
  
  On 1 January 2002, he was promoted to 1st class Kaisa.
  
  On 20 August 2003, Maritime Staff Office Defense Department Defense Division Business Planning Group Leader and Maritime Self-Defense Force Executive School Work.
  
  On 5 March 2004, Maritime Staff Office Defense Department Defense Division Defense Team Leader and Maritime Self-Defense Force Executive School Work.
  
  On 1 August 2005, he became the Commander of the 3rd Escort Corps.
  
  On 31 July 2006, Chief of Equipment System Division, Defense Department, Maritime Staff Office.
  
  On 1 September 2007, Assistant Manager, Personnel Education Department, Maritime Staff Office.
  
  On 1 August 2008, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. On 1 December, Commander of the 1st Escort Group.
  
  On 20 August 2010, Fleet Submarine Force Command Chief.
  
  On 5 August 2011, Director of Training Department, National Defense Academy.
  
  On 26 July 2012, Director of Defense Department, Maritime Staff Office.
  
  On 5 August 2014, he was promoted to Maritime General, Chief of Maritime Self-Defense Force Executive School.
  
  On 4 August 2015, 42nd Sasebo District Chief.
  
  On 22 December 2016, he was appointed the 49th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet.
  
  On 1 April 2019, he was retired from the Navy.
  
  ## Awards
  
  3rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  7th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  10th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  11th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  13th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  15th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  18th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  22nd Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  24th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  33rd Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  40th Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  41st Defensive Memorial Cordon
  
  