Japan Self-Defense Forces

"Japanese Armed Forces" redirects here. For the armed forces of the Japanese Empire, see Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.

Japan Self-Defense Forces
自衛隊
Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Founded1 July 1954; 70 years ago (1954-07-01)[1]
Service branches
HeadquartersMinistry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan
Leadership
Commander-in-chief Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani
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]
Expenditure
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 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.

Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly into the 21st century, increased tensions with North Korea,[9] China, and Russia[10] have reignited debate over the status of the JSDF and their relationship to Japanese society.[11] The JSDF 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.[12][13][14]

  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 fires on 'intruding' boat". BBC. 22 December 2001. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2006.
  10. ^ "「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.
  11. ^ Herman, Steve (15 February 2006). "Japan Mulls Constitutional Reform". Tokyo: Voice of America. Archived from the original on 16 February 2006.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Japan, UK, USA Maritime trilateral hardens, details shared commitments". Anglo-Japan Alliance. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020.