Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF)

Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) is the modern name for the Japanese armed forces.

Structure

The armed forces include:

• Ground Self-Defense Forces, Japan
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force,
• Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

History

2024: U.S. plan to upgrade $10 billion of U.S. fighter jets in Japan to deter China

In early July 2024, the United States presented a $10 billion plan to modernize military aircraft deployed on the Japanese islands.

Significant changes will affect Kadena Air Base, the closest American military facility to Taiwan. The 48 F-15 aircraft based on the base will be replaced by 36 F-15EX fighters.

In addition, instead of 36 F-16 aircraft, 48 F-35A units will arrive at Misawa Air Base. And at a military facility in the city of Iwakuni, where the US Marines are stationed, the Pentagon plans to "adjust" the number of F-35B fighters.

In announcing such plans, the Pentagon did not directly mention China. However, the hint here is clear - the States are deploying modern fighters in areas that will be affected by a hypothetical conflict with the PRC.

It is important that changes regarding American aviation may also be a response to the modernization of Chinese air forces. For example, six modern J-20 fighters recently arrived at the Chinese base of Uishan, which replaced outdated J-6W. This military facility, by the way, is relatively close to Kadena.

An increase in the presence of US and PRC air forces in the region is necessary for a containment policy and the parties are developing scenarios for a hypothetical conflict.

2023

Defense spending - 1.2% of GDP

Japan's defense spending 1.2% of GDP

Estimating some countries' defense costs as a share of their GDP in 2023

Adopted for service only 10 thousand people or 51% of the plan - an anti-record in the history of the country

In fiscal 2023, the Self-Defense Japan Forces admitted about ten thousand people to its ranks, which is only 51% of the country's planned Ministry of Defense.

In 2023, the share of military personnel recruited fell by 15% compared to the previous year - now this figure reaches the lowest level on record.

The Japanese army is experiencing an acute shortage of personnel for even peacetime tasks.

Construction of new storage facilities for long-range missiles for $84 million

Japan In continue to build military potential against the background of missile launches from the DPRK and the "growing Chinese threat." In September 2023 , it became known about plans to build new storage facilities in which long-range missiles will be located.

According to media reports, the new military facilities will be located at the bases of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Okinawa, Kagoshima and Miyazaki. In terms of the defense budget, $84 million has been allocated for this.

Starting in 2022, Japan has actively started talking about the need to create a whole arsenal of long-range missiles to launch a retaliatory or even preventive strike on targets that pose a threat to national security.

2022

7th place in the list of the largest importers of weapons

Data for 2022

Japan buys world's largest flying drones

On December 21, 2022, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) RQ-4B Global Hawk, previously delivered to the country by the American company Northrop Grumman, first took off. Read more here.

A new national security strategy has been adopted with an increase in defense spending by 2 times to $320 billion or 2% of GDP by 2027.

On December 16, 2022, Japan adopted a new national security strategy, which involves, in particular, the country's ability to launch "counterattacks" to prevent enemy attacks. Tokyo also planned to double defense spending, increasing it to 43 trillion yen ($320 billion) by 2027, that is, to about 2% of GDP.

Japan agreed to spend $1.8 billion a year on the maintenance of 50 thousand US military and their families

In January 2022, the United States and Japan formalized a five-year agreement on financing troops, according to which Japan will spend an average of 211 billion yen ($1.8 billion) a year to deploy about 50,000 American troops and their families.

2019: Building the first cyber weapon

At the end of April 2019, it became known about the creation of the first cyber weapon for Japan. It is planned to be used to protect against hackers. Read more here.

2017: No. 2 in the world after Russia in self-propelled artillery

1939: Participation in World War II

Main article: World War II

1937

Imperial Japanese soldiers climb the Great Wall of China, 1937.

1920

Japanese Army Officer Gaishi Nagaoka, 1920