Japan Self-Defense Forces
Also known as JSDF, JSF, SDF, Self-Defense Forces of Japan, mil Japan, Japanese military, military of Japan, Japan Self-Defense Forces, JSDF
unified military forces of Japan
Key facts
- Founded
- 1 July 1954 ; 71 years ago ( 1954-07-01 )
- Service branches
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- Headquarters
- Ministry of Defense , Tokyo , Japan
- 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 )
- Military age
- 18–32 eligible for enlistment
- Conscription
- No
- Active personnel
- 251,500
- Reserve personnel
- 56,000
- Budget
Article
The Japan Self-Defense Forces (Japanese: 自衛隊, Hepburn: Jieitai; JSDF) are the military forces of Japan. 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.