JAPAN SELF DEFENSE FORCE (JSDF)
JAPAN SELF DEFENSE FORCE
The Japan Self-Defense Forces (Japanese: 自衛隊, Hepburn: Jieitai; JSDF) are the military forces of Japan.[a] 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.
The Japanese Constitution, which was adopted by the Supreme Command for the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan after World War II, stipulates that Japan will never maintain a military as well as other war potential. However, rising tensions during the Cold War led to the reinterpretation of the constitution to allow for the right to self-defense, eventually leading to the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954 that functions as the country's de facto military.
Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly into the 21st century, increased tensions with China, North Korea,[8] and Russia[9] have reignited debate over the status of the JSDF and their relationship to Japanese society.[10] The JSDF have maintained a close alliance with the United States, and have prioritized greater cooperation and partnership with Australia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and NATO, as well as acquiring new equipment and hardware.
The JSDF is legally constrained by the Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes. Japanese law limits JSDF functions to self-defense, disaster response, and peacekeeping. There have been proposals to amend the constitution to formalize the status of the JSDF. The 2015 Legislation for Peace and Security amended the law to allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense to mobilize the JSDF to assist an allied country that has come under attack in an "existential crisis situation
Founded
1 July 1954; 71 years ago[1]
Service branches
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Headquarters
Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
Minister of Defense
Shinjirō Koizumi
Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
General Hiroaki Uchikura
Commander, JSDF Joint Operations Command
Admiral Tateki Tawara (ja)
Personnel
Military age
18–32 eligible for enlistment[2]
Conscription
No
Active personnel
251,500[3]
Reserve personnel
56,000[3]
Expenditure
Budget
¥8.4 trillion (US$55.3 billion) (2024)[4]
(ranked 10th)
Percent of GDP
1.4% (2024)[4]
Domestic suppliers
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Fuso
Toyota
Nippon Steel
JFE Holdings
Nippon Yusen
Sumitomo Heavy Industries
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
IHI Corporation
Japan Marine United
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
NEC
SoftBank Group
Japan Radio Company
Toshiba
Hitachi
Fujitsu
Oki Electric Industry
Howa
Toray Industries
Idemitsu Kosan
Daicel
Panasonic
Seven & I Holdings
ShinMaywa
Sony Group Corporation
Japan Steel Works
Subaru Corporation
MinebeaMitsumi
Komatsu Limited
Yamaha Motor Company
Kayaba Industry
Honda
Foreign suppliers
Australia
France
Finland
Germany
Israel[5]
Italy
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States
Annual imports
US$5.68 billion (2010–2021)[6]
Annual exports
US$6 million (2010–2021)[6]
Related articles
History
Military history of Japan
List of wars involving Japan
Battle of Amami-Ōshima
1999 East Timorese crisis
Iraq War
Operation Ocean Shield
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[7]
JSDF Overseas Dispatches
Ranks
Military ranks and insignia of Japan
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