Minister of Defense (Japan)

Minister of Defense
防衛大臣
Standard of the Minister of Defense
Incumbent
Gen Nakatani
since 1 October 2024 (2024-10-01)
Ministry of Defense
StyleHis Excellency
Member ofCabinet
National Security Council
Defense Council
Reports toThe Prime Minister
AppointerThe Prime Minister
subject to formal attestation by the Emperor
PrecursorDirector General of the Defense Agency
Formation9 January 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-09)
First holderFumio Kyuma
DeputyState Minister of Defense
Salary¥20,916,000

The Minister of Defense (防衛大臣, Bōei Daijin), or Bōei-shō (防衛相), is a member of the Japanese cabinet and is the leader of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the executive department of the Japanese Armed Forces. The minister of defense’s position of command and authority over the military is second only to that of the Prime Minister of Japan, who is the commander-in-chief.

The minister of defense is appointed by the Prime Minister and is a member of the National Security Council. The current Minister of Defense is Gen Nakatani, who took office on October 1, 2024.