Japan Self-Defense Forces

Japan Self-Defense Forces
自衛隊
Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Founded1 July 1954 (1954-07-01)[1]
Service branches
HeadquartersMinistry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan
Leadership
Commander-in-chief Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara
Chief of Staff, Joint Staff General Yoshihide Yoshida
Personnel
Military age18–32 eligible for enlistment[2]
ConscriptionNo
Active personnel247,150[3]
Reserve personnel56,000[3]
Expenditures
Budget¥6.82 trillion (US$51.4 billion) (2023)[4][5]
Percent of GDP1.19% (2023)[4][5]
Industry
Domestic suppliers
Foreign suppliers
Annual importsUS$5.68 billion (2010–2021)[7]
Annual exportsUS$6 million (2010–2021)[7]
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of Japan
List of wars involving Japan
RanksMilitary ranks and insignia of Japan

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF, Japanese: 自衛隊; Hepburn: Jieitai), also known as the Japanese Armed Forces, are the unified de facto military forces of Japan. Established in 1954, the JSDF comprises the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. They are controlled by the Ministry of Defense with the Prime Minister as commander-in-chief.

Under the Japanese constitution, which renounces the use of military force and the maintenance of an army, navy or air force, the JDSF are officially limited to internal security and homeland defense, and prohibited from possessing weapons that would increase their "war potential", such as ICBMs, aircraft carriers, and bombers; consequently, they have traditionally only engaged in international peacekeeping operations with the United Nations or limited humanitarian and supporting roles within multinational coalitions. Nevertheless, they are widely regarded as one of the most an advanced and capable armed forces in the world.[9][10]

Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly into the 21st century, increased tensions with North Korea,[11] China, and Russia[12] have reignited debate over the status of the JSDF and their relationship to Japanese society.[13] The JDSF have prioritized greater cooperation and partnership with Australia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as acquiring new equipment and hardware.[14][15][16]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Defendingjapan.wordpress.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Japan to raise maximum age for new recruits to boost dwindling military ranks". Reuters. 9 August 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b IISS 2019, p. 276.
  4. ^ a b "Japan Approves 26.3% Increase in Defense Spending for Fiscal Year 2023".
  5. ^ a b "Japan's plan to ramp up military spending, explained". 15 January 2023.
  6. ^ "6. Israel" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  7. ^ a b "TIV of arms imports/exports data for Japan, 2010-2021". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 7 February 2022.
  8. ^ "在外邦人等の保護措置及び輸送への対応" (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  9. ^ Japan's Self-Defense Forces | Proceedings - December 1965 Vol. 91/12/754 U.S. Naval Institute "...the JSDF has the most balanced military power of any free nation in the Afro-Asian group"
  10. ^ "How Japan Is Doubling Down on Its Military Power". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Japan fires on 'intruding' boat". BBC. 22 December 2001. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2006.
  12. ^ "「自衛隊」と「プーチンのロシア軍」が激突…そのとき北海道に起きる「おぞましい」事態" (in Japanese). KODANSHA. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  13. ^ Herman, Steve (15 February 2006). "Japan Mulls Constitutional Reform". Tokyo: Voice of America. Archived from the original on 16 February 2006.
  14. ^ "British troops join forces with Japanese for first time on their soil amid North Korea tensions". The Daily Telegraph. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  15. ^ Fackler, Martin (16 December 2010). "Japan Announces Defense Policy to Counter China". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  16. ^ "Japan, UK, USA Maritime trilateral hardens, details shared commitments". Anglo-Japan Alliance. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020.

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