Chief Azuma serves as the chairman of the Japanese branch of the United Nations special investigation organization created to counter the criminal consortium known as Big Fire. Working alongside agents such as Juro Minami, he leads the operations of this intelligence unit in the battle against the organization's plans for world domination.

Azuma is defined by his unwavering dedication to his mission and a strong sense of responsibility. As a calm and collected leader, he prioritizes strategy and the safety of those under his command. His primary motivation is to thwart the machinations of Big Fire and protect the Earth from their schemes, a goal he pursues with serious determination. He acts as a mentor to the young protagonist Daisaku Kusama, the controller of the giant robot GR1, providing guidance and tactical support while showing genuine concern for the boy's well-being. In one instance, after Daisaku is injured, Azuma is depicted as being hesitant to send him back into battle, prioritizing his steward's safety over the operational advantage of deploying the robot.

In the field, Azuma demonstrates sharp intelligence and quick thinking, particularly when dealing with the technological and supernatural threats posed by Big Fire. When confronted with a duplicate of Daisaku created by the alien Dr. Germa, Azuma is the one who recognizes the real boy. He notices a crucial detail that the impostor lacks: the specific markings on Daisaku's wrist that result from wearing his voice-activated microphone watch, the device used to command Giant Robo. Furthermore, anticipating that the fake Daisaku might use the stolen watch to summon the giant robot, Azuma preemptively orders the robot's electronic brain to be switched off, a tactical decision that prevents the impostor from immediately controlling the most powerful weapon on the battlefield. His analytical mind is also evident when he orders the analysis of modeling glue to create a specialized counter-agent capable of destroying the duplicate Daisaku.

While his core role remains consistent across the original source material, the character's presence varies between adaptations of the Giant Robo franchise. In the 2007 reimagining titled GR: Giant Robo, the character of Commander Azuma is adapted out of the story entirely, with his narrative function being filled by a different character, Alex Mckenzie. This makes the original 1960s manga and its live-action tokusatsu adaptation the definitive sources for his character. As the chief of his organization, Azuma holds a high level of authority but does not possess any superhuman or special physical abilities. His strengths are entirely intellectual and strategic, relying on his leadership, analytical skills, and marksmanship as a field agent. He serves as the primary human authority figure and mentor, providing the tactical grounding for the more fantastic elements of the fight against Big Fire.