Japan Self-Defense Forces
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| Japan Self-Defense Forces | |
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| Military manpower | |
| Military age | 18 years of age |
| Availability | males age 18-49: 27,003,112 (2005 est.) |
| Fit for military service | males 22,234,663 (2005 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually | males: 683,147 (2005 est.) |
| Military expenditures | |
| Dollar figure | $45.841 billion (2004) |
| Percent of GDP | 1% (2004) |
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces (Japanese: 自衛隊, Jieitai) or JSDF, are the military forces in Japan that were established after the end of World War II. The force has been engaged in no real combat but has been engaged in some international peacekeeping operations.
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Strength
Personnel
The JSDF numbered about 246,400 in 1992 with 156,000 in the Ground Self-Defense Force, 44,400 in the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and 46,000 in the Air Self-Defense Force. Reserves numbered 48,400.
Article 9
The Japanese military is severely limited by Article 9 of the Japanese constitution that renounces force as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the creation of an army, navy, and air force. The exact limits of Article 9 is a controversial issue in Japan, but it has been interpreted as allowing for self-defense forces. Thus the JSDF has a very limited oversea capability, lacks long range offensive capabilities like long range anti ground missiles, air-refueling (as of 2004), Marines or amphibious units, special forces, large cache of ammunitions, or ROE (Rules of Engagement). Japan's USD $42.6 billion/year budget makes it the fifth largest military spender in the world, after the United States, People's Republic of China, United Kingdom and France. About 50% of that is spent on the personnel and the rest is split on supplies, new weapons, upgrades, etc.[1] (http://www.cdi.org/budget/2004/world-military-spending.cfm)
As a reflection of the forces' role, the Japanese term 軍 (pronunciation: gun), referring to a military force, and the English terms "military", "army", "navy", and "air force" are never used in official references to the JSDF.
Deployments
The first overseas deployment of the Japanese military under the UN since World War II occurred in 1992. The troops were sent to Cambodia to watch over the first free election. The first overseas deployment without an UN agreement occurred in 2004. The troops were sent to Iraq as peace keepers. In 2005 they briefly assisted the people of Indonesia following the Tsunami.
Equipment
- Ground Self-Defense Force: medium tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, armored personnel carriers, towed and self-propelled howitzers, mortars, single rocket and multiple rocket launchers, air defense guns, surface-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles, fixed-wing aircraft, attack helicopters and transport helicopters.
- Maritime Self-Defense Force: diesel submarines, guided missile destroyers, frigates with helicopters, frigates, patrol and coastal combatants, mine warfare ships, amphibious ships, auxiliaries, ground based fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
- Air Self-Defense Force: ground attack aircraft, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, airborne early warning aircraft, transport aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles and air-defense control and warning units.
Organization
Japanese_sailors_jmsdf.jpg
Military branches
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army)
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy)
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)
Military units
- Five armies,
- Five maritime districts, and
- Three air defense forces.
Main bases are located in Hokkaido, eastern Honshu, central and western Honshu and Shikoku, and Kyushu.
List of notable JSDF figures
See also
- Deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq
- Imperial Japanese Army
- Imperial Japanese Navy
- List of military aircraft of Japan
- Military history of Japan
- Japanese nationalism
References
- Template:Loc - Japan (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html)
- This article incorporates information from The World Factbook, which is in the public domain. - Japan (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html)
External links
- JDA Cabinet Office (http://www.cao.go.jp/) (Japanese)
- Japan Defense Agency (http://www.jda.go.jp/) (Japanese)
- Joint Staff Council (http://www.jda.go.jp/join/) (Japanese)
- Air Self-Defense Force Website (http://www.jda.go.jp/jasdf/) (Japanese)
- Japan Defense Agency - Japan Self-Defense Force (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/jda.htm)
- Paper on the Self Defense Forces (http://hkuhist2.hku.hk/nakasendo/sdf.htm)
- JASDF equipment (http://www.strange-mecha.com/jsdf/jasdf/jasdf.htm)
- JMSDF equipment (http://www.strange-mecha.com/jsdf/jmsdf/jmsdf.htm)de:Selbstverteidigungsstreitkräfte