Japan Military - 2021

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF; includes aviation), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF; includes naval aviation), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF); Japan Coast Guard (Ministry of Land, Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism) (2020)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2020)

1% of GDP (2019)

0.93% of GDP (2018)

0.93% of GDP (2017)

0.94% of GDP (2016)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) is comprised of approximately 240,000 active personnel (145,000 Ground; 45,000 Maritime; 45,000 Air; 4,000 Joint Forces); 14,000 Coast Guard (2020)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the JSDF is equipped with a mix of imported and domestically-produced equipment; Japan is capable of producing a wide range of air, ground, and naval weapons systems; the majority of its weapons imports are from the US and some domestically-produced weapons are US-origin and manufactured under license (2020)

Military deployments

approximately 170 Djibouti (2020 )

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (maximum enlistment age 32); no conscription (2019)

NOTE: The information regarding Japan on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Japan 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Japan 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.