44-644: Kasuga Air Base ( 春日基地 , kasuga-kichi ) is a base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in Kasuga , Fukuoka Prefecture , Japan . The base serves as the headquarter of Western Air Defense Force (WADF), with its Area of Responsibility encompassing Kyushu , Shikoku and the Chūgoku region on the western part of the country. A hotline connecting Kasuga Air Base and Daegu (Taegu) Air Base in South Korea
88-689: A combined star, the moon, the Hinomaru sun disc and clouds. The latest version of the JASDF flag was re-adopted on 19 March 2001. The JASDF flag is different from the JSDF flag and the JGSDF flag. It is determined by a directive regarding the flags of the JSDF. The dish of the JASDF is deep-fried chicken karaage , such as Okinawan -style deep-fried chicken. The JASDF tried to increase its popularity by promoting its fried chicken recipe since 2018. There were competitions between
132-610: A quarter of a century ago." Three years later in 1975, Osamu Kaihara, the former secretary of the National Defence Council, was reported in U.S. News & World Report that the SDF would have been totally ineffective in any Soviet attack, as the Ground SDF could only fight as an army for three to four days. While the force is now an efficient army of around 150,000, its apparent importance had, until recently, seemingly declined with
176-419: A stand-off electronic warfare aircraft to boost electromagnetic warfare and network capabilities. Additionally, Japan aims to strengthen its unmanned aircraft fleet for intelligence gathering and combat missions. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force flag was first adopted in 1955 after the JASDF was created in 1954. It is based on a cap badge made in 1954. The flag is cobalt blue with a gold winged eagle on top of
220-581: Is also established, through which communications between the two countries are carried out several dozen times a day. The base lacks a runway or dedicated helicopter landing facilities , so flying units commanded from here are actually located at the nearby Fukuoka Airport . 33°31′53″N 130°28′00″E / 33.53139°N 130.46667°E / 33.53139; 130.46667 Japan Air Self-Defense Force The Japan Air Self-Defense Force ( Japanese : 航空自衛隊 , Hepburn : Kōkū Jieitai ) , JASDF ( 空自 , Kūji ) , also referred to as
264-459: Is responsible for basic flying and technical training. The Air Development and Test Command, in addition to overseeing equipment research and development, is also responsible for research and development in such areas as flight medicine. On May 19, 2020, the JASDF officially inaugurated its Space Operation Squadron. The Air Defense Command has northern, central, and western regional headquarters located at Misawa , Iruma, and Kasuga, respectively and
308-802: The Chinese Civil War and the onset of the Korean War led the Americans to reconsider what role the Japanese could be expected to play in, at the very least, defending their own home islands against growing Chinese, Soviet and North Korean power in the region. Under U.S. guidance, on 1 July 1954 the National Security Board was reorganized as the Defense Agency, and the National Security Force
352-749: The Cold War in 1993. The exercises are based on 2019 National Defense Program Guidelines to strengthen defense capabilities. Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi said it is to effectively respond to various situations. In 1989, basic training for lower-secondary and upper-secondary academy graduates began in the training brigade and lasted approximately three months. Specialized enlisted and non-commissioned officer (NCO) candidate courses were available in branch schools and qualified NCOs could enter an eight-to-twelve-week officer candidate program. Senior NCOs and graduates of an eighty-week NCO pilot course were eligible to enter officer candidate schools, as were graduates of
396-581: The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy (including their respective Air Services) were disbanded in 1945. Under the supervision of the United States occupation authorities, a pacifist Japanese government was appointed in place of the militaristic governments that administered the Empire of Japan during the war. The new government drafted a postwar constitution . While the primary intent of this endeavor
440-664: The JMSDF 's popular curry . Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( Japanese : 陸上自衛隊 , Hepburn : Rikujō Jieitai ) , JGSDF ( 陸自 , Rikuji ) , also referred to as the Japanese Army , is the land warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces . Created on July 1, 1954, it is the largest of the three service branches. New military guidelines, announced in December 2010, direct
484-493: The Japan Air Self-Defense Force ( Air Force ), with General Keizō Hayashi appointed as the first Chairman of Joint Staff Council—professional head of the three branches. The enabling legislation for this was the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act [Act No. 165 of 1954]. That year the actual strength of the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defence Forces reached 146,285, armed mainly with U.S. World War II vintage equipment. At least up until
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#1732859471848528-661: The Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force ( 航空宇宙自衛隊 , Kōkū Uchū Jieitai ) , in recognition of the increasing importance of the space domain. Japan did not have a separate air force before and during World War II . Aviation operations were carried out by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service ( Kōkūtai ). Following defeat in World War II ,
572-536: The Japan Self-Defense Forces away from their Cold War focus on the Soviet Union to a new focus on China , especially in respect of the dispute over the Senkaku Islands . The JGSDF operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya , Shinjuku , Tokyo . The present chief of staff is General Yasunori Morishita. The JGSDF numbered 150,700 soldiers in 2023. Soon after
616-785: The Japanese Air Force , is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces , responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace , other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warfare . The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan , while also maintaining a network of ground and air early-warning radar systems. The branch also has an aerobatic team known as Blue Impulse and has provided air transport in UN peacekeeping missions. The JASDF had an estimated 49,913 personnel as of 2018, and as of 2023 operates about 712 aircraft, approximately 321 of them being fighter aircraft. The service will be renamed in 2027 to
660-680: The Korean War did MacArthur authorise Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida to establish a 75,000 strong National Police Reserve . The next expansion came in 1952, when as a compromise in the face of U.S. calls to build up an army of 350,000, the National Police Reserve was re-titled the National Safety Force and expanded to 110,000. In 1954, Prime Minister Yoshida impelled the Diet to accept the Defence Agency Establishment and
704-507: The National Defense Academy at Yokosuka and graduates of all four-year universities. Advanced technical, flight, medical and command and staff officer courses were also run by the JGSDF. Like the maritime and air forces , the JGSDF ran a youth cadet program offering technical training to lower-secondary school graduates below military age in return for a promise of enlistment. Because of population density and urbanization on
748-626: The Ryukyu Islands and through the Korea Strait . Russia frequently conducts flights orbiting Japan with military aircraft. The Ministry of Defense reported in fiscal 2018 that there were 999 scrambles by JASDF jets against mainly Chinese and Russian unidentified aircraft. That is the second highest amount of scrambles by the JASDF since 1958. 638 (64%) were Chinese aircraft and 343 (34%) were Russian aircraft. On June 20, 2019, two Russian bombers ( Tupolev Tu-95 ) violated Japanese airspace twice on
792-613: The 1970s, the Ground SDF was not built up to the point required to defeat an invasion attempt from the north – informed officials estimated that while ammunition provisions were officially said to be enough to last for two months, in actuality it would be used up in a week or less. During the 1970s, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force possessed a dubious ability to hold off a Soviet invasion of Hokkaido . Zbigniew Brzezinski observed in 1972 that it seemed optimized to fight "a Soviet invasion conducted on American patterns of
836-770: The Chinese aircraft flew over Okinawa prefecture . On 22 October 2023, the JASDF conducted its first-ever trilateral exercise with the South Korean and United States air forces near the Korean Peninsula. Major units of the JASDF are the Air Defense Command, Air Support Command, Air Training Command, Air Development and Test Command, and Air Materiel Command. The Air Support Command is responsible for direct support of operational forces in rescue, transportation, control, weather monitoring and inspection. The Air Training Command
880-635: The JASDF intercepts fewer PLAAF warplane approaches and has deployed F-35 fighter jets to supplement the F-15J fighter jets in this role. On 17 March 2021, the Mitsubishi F-4EJ Phantom II was retired after 50 years of service with the JASDF, being replaced by the F-35A. During the 9 months of fiscal year 2021, JASDF fighters scrambled against 785 inbound flights. Chinese aircraft were intercepted 571 times (70%), and 199 Russian aircraft. The majority of
924-573: The Japanese islands, only limited areas are available for large-scale training, and, even in these areas, noise restrictions are extensive. The JGSDF has adapted to these conditions by conducting command post exercises, map manoeuvres, investing in simulators and other training programs, as well as conducting live fire exercises overseas at locations such as the Yakima Training Center in the United States . The JGSDF has two reserve components:
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#1732859471848968-611: The Ministry of Defense established its first regional cyber protection unit in the Western Army of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to safeguard defense communications from cyber attacks, such as for personnel deployed on remote islands with no established secure lines. The Japanese government approved the first ever JSDF dispatch to a peacekeeping operation that is not led by the United Nations in 2019. JGSDF officers monitored
1012-542: The STOVL F-35B from land bases once delivered. As of 2020, the JASDF is under increasing pressure to intercept warplanes from China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) close to entering its air space. As of the last fiscal year ending in March 2020, the JASDF scrambled aircraft a record 947 times to intercept PLAAF warplanes. This has resulted in heavy wear and tear on their F-15J fighter aircraft, due to this, as of 2021,
1056-557: The Self-Defence Force Laws, which explicitly authorized the forces to "defend Japan against direct and indirect aggression, and when necessary to maintain public order." On July 1, 1954, the National Security Board was reorganized as the Defense Agency, and the National Security Force was reorganized afterwards as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( Army ), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( Navy ) and
1100-532: The Southwestern Composite Air Division based at Naha , Okinawa Prefecture . All four regional headquarters control surface-to-air missile units of both the JASDF and the JGSDF located in their respective areas. The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . The JASDF maintains an integrated network of radar installations and air defense direction centers throughout
1144-583: The cease-fire between Israel and Egypt at the Multinational Force and Observers command in the Sinai peninsula from 19 April until 30 November 2019. From September to the end of November 2021, the GSDF conducted nationwide drills with all units including 100,000 personnel, 20,000 vehicles, 120 aircraft and the JMSDF and JASDF as well as a U.S. Army landing ship. These were the largest GSDF exercises since after
1188-703: The constitution. JSDF personnel train with the American forces in amphibious assault units designed to take outlying islands. Japan activated its first marine unit since World War II on April 7, 2018. The marines of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade are trained to counter invaders from occupying Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea. British troops of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) exercised together for
1232-569: The country known as the Basic Air Defense Ground Environment. In the late 1980s, the system was modernized and augmented with E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. The nation relies on fighter- interceptor aircraft and surface-to-air missiles to intercept hostile aircraft. Both of these systems were improved from the beginning of the late 1980s. Outmoded aircraft were replaced in the early 1990s with more sophisticated models, and Nike-J missiles have been replaced with
1276-468: The development of the Japan Constitution in 1946, Article 9 was added stating "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes." "In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of
1320-767: The end of the Pacific War in 1945 with Japan accepting the Potsdam Declaration , the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy were dismantled by the orders of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP). Both were replaced by the United States Armed Forces occupation force, which assumed responsibility for the external defense of Japan. Douglas MacArthur insisted that Japan have no military that could be used to settle international disputes or even for its own self defense. Accordingly, during
1364-601: The end of the Cold War , and attempts to reorient the forces as a whole to new post Cold War missions have been tangled in a series of internal political disputes. On March 27, 2004, the Japan Defense Agency activated the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its Counter-terrorist unit . In 2015, the Japanese Diet passed a law that allowed for the reinterpretation of Article 9 of
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1408-744: The first time with Japanese GSDF soldiers in Oyama , Shizuoka prefecture on 2 October 2018. The purpose was to improve their strategic partnership and security cooperation. Speaking about tensions regarding North Korea , Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders said that Japan "won't have to fight alone." The JGSDF and the Indian Army conducted their first joint military exercise in the Indian state of Mizoram from 27 October to 18 November 2018. It primarily consisted of anti-terror drills and improving bilateral cooperation with 60 Japanese and Indian officers. In March 2019,
1452-510: The former Imperial Japanese Army save for the march music tradition (Review March was the official march of the IJA and today's JGSDF). However the tradition of bugle call playing, a tradition left by the Imperial Army, has remained till the present. Each JGDSF formation has had a bugle platoon or company led by a Bugle Major. The Imperial Japanese Army flag with symmetrical 16 rays and a 2:3 ratio
1496-614: The modern Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 system and M167 VADS . The JASDF also provides air support for ground and sea operations of the JGSDF and the JMSDF and air defense for bases of all the forces. Base defenses were upgraded in the late 1980s with new surface-to-air missiles, modern antiaircraft artillery and new fixed and mobile aircraft shelters. Japan has unveiled a plan to enhance its future military equipment, focusing on acquiring additional RC-2 aircraft for command, control, and signal intelligence missions. The plan also includes developing
1540-479: The ranks, along with three other female pilots currently in training, in 2018. Since 2008, the number of scrambles to intercept Chinese aircraft has increased rapidly. In 2010 there were scrambles against 31 Chinese aircraft and 193 Russian aircraft. In 2018 scrambles increased to against 638 Chinese aircraft and against 343 Russian aircraft. Chinese aircraft flight paths are mostly in the East China Sea , around
1584-1054: The rapid-reaction reserve component (即応予備自衛官制度) and the main reserve component (一般予備自衛官制度). Members of the rapid-reaction component train 30 days a year. Members of the main reserve train five days a year. As of December 2007, there were 8,425 members of the rapid-reaction reserve component and 22,404 members of the main reserve component. JGSDF currently has 9 active duty divisions (1 armored, 8 infantry) The JGSDF currently has eight combat brigades: JGSDF divisions and brigades are combined arms units with infantry, armored, and artillery units, combat support units and logistical support units. They are regionally independent and permanent entities. The divisions' strength varies from 6,000 to 9,000 personnel. The brigades are smaller with 3,000 to 4,000 personnel. The JGSDF currently has nine combat support brigades: The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force dropped nearly all traditions associated with
1628-663: The same day. The Diet of Japan approved the modification of the ships of the Izumo-class to operate STOVL aircraft and in 2019 ordered 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs . The US Marines will operate their own STOVL F-35s from the Izumo-class in cooperation with the ship's crew to build up a Japanese capability to operate this type. The current plan is for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate
1672-559: The state will not be recognized." It is believed that the Special Diet Session leader Hitoshi Ashida added the clause "In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph" in the middle of Article 9. The intent of this phrasing was to allow for the creation of military forces in Japan which would be for the defense of Japan, and not for settling international disputes. Then Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida accepted this wording and
1716-399: The three branches. The enabling legislation for this was the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act (Act No. 165 of 1954). The Far East Air Force , U.S. Air Force, announced on 6 January 1955, that 85 aircraft would be turned over to the fledgling Japanese air force on about 15 January, the first equipment of the new force. The JASDF Air Defense Command (Japan) [ ja ] Headquarters
1760-502: Was able to convince the US to allow Japan to operate " self defense " forces. Under the terms of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan , United States forces stationed in Japan were to deal with external aggression against Japan while Japanese forces, both ground and maritime, would deal with internal threats and natural disasters. Only after the outbreak of
1804-460: Was abolished in 1945. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) use a significantly different variation of the Rising Sun Flag with red, white and gold colors. It has 8-rays and an 8:9 ratio. The edges of the rays are asymmetrical since they form angles at 19, 21, 26 and 24 degrees. It also has indentations for the yellow (golden) irregular triangles along
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1848-430: Was relocated from Fuchu Air Base to Yokota Air Base on March 26, 2012. The relocation is due to the 2002 Defense Policy Review Initiative. The purpose is to strengthen the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance . The ADC Headquarters does command and control operations to defend Japanese airspace. Until 2015, women were banned from becoming fighter jet and reconnaissance aircraft pilots. The first female pilot of an F-15 joined
1892-589: Was reorganized afterwards as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( de facto post-war Japanese Army ), the Coastal Safety Force was reorganized as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( de facto post-war Japanese Navy ) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force ( de facto post-war Japanese Air Force ) was established as a new branch of JSDF. General Keizō Hayashi was appointed as the first Chairman of Joint Staff Council—professional head of
1936-542: Was to place the country's political structure on a firmly democratic footing, the constitution endorsed by the United States and ratified by the Diet of Japan in 1947 also contained Article 9 which strictly prohibited Japan from having a regular military . The U.S. occupation formally ended in 1952, although large American garrison remained in Japan to defend the country. The victory of the Chinese Communist Party in
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