TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Lt. Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo will be the first commander of the Self-Defense Forces' new Joint Operations Command.

The joint command will be launched on March 24 in Tokyo's Ichigaya district as a permanent headquarters to improve the SDF's cross-domain operations and enhance coordination with U.S. forces and other partners.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference that he expects Nagumo, vice chief of staff at the Joint Staff Office, to exercise his leadership in directing ground, maritime and air forces in an integrated fashion and deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Nagumo, 59, joined the Air Self-Defense Force in 1989 after graduating from the National Defense Academy.

Vice Adm. Tateki Tawara, 58, will support Nagumo as deputy chief of the joint command.