Japan Self-Defense Forces
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.
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]
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.
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.
Self-Defense Forces numbered about 246,400 in 1992: Ground Self-Defense Force 156,000, Maritime Self-Defense Force 44,400, and Air Self-Defense Force 46,000. Reserves 48,400.
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.
Military branches:
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army),
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy),
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)
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.
Table of contents |
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
- This article incorporates public domain text from the Library of Congress Country Studies. – Japan
External links
- JDA Cabinet Office (Japanese)
- Japan Defense Agency (Japanese)
- Joint Staff Council (Japanese)
- Air Self-Defense Force Website (Japanese)
- Japan Defense Agency – Japan Self-Defense Force
- Self Defense Forces
Categories: Country Studies | Military of Japan