84-584: MSDF may mean: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force , the Japanese Navy State Defense Forces : Massachusetts State Defense Force Missouri State Defense Force Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility , a prison Master of Science in Digital Forensics , an academic degree Multi-channel signed distance field , a field created by a signed distance function Topics referred to by
168-702: A Chinese-flagged vessel, believed to be North Korean in origin, in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone between Kyushu and China. When the vessel failed to respond, she was fired upon by the Japan Coast Guard ships and an exchange of gunfire resulted. The unidentified vessel sank in the Chinese Exclusive Economic Zone with all hands. The ship, later salvaged by the Japan Coast Guard, was found to be carrying weapons and spy equipment. The wreck and its contents were put on display at
252-536: A fleet of various auxiliary ships . The fleet has a total displacement of approximately 624,000 tonnes, excluding auxiliary vessels. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations. The JMSDF is commanded by the Chief of the Maritime Staff. Its structure consists of
336-508: A mission to Cambodia in 1993 when JSDF personnel were supported by JDS Towada , it has been active in a number of UN-led peacekeeping operations throughout Asia. In 1993, the JMSDF commissioned its first Aegis -equipped destroyer, Kongō . It has also been active in joint naval exercises with other countries, such as the United States. The JMSDF has dispatched a number of its destroyers on
420-449: A nationwide emergency number, 118, for reporting accidents at sea, oil spills, suspicious vessels, smuggling, and illegal immigration. It can be dialed from mobile phones , landline phones , public phones , and marine radiotelephones in Japan. In 2018, there were 5,028 calls to 118 regarding accidents or possible accidents at sea. On December 22, 2001, Japan Coast Guard ships intercepted
504-595: A number of minesweeping ships. Japan Coast Guard The Japan Coast Guard ( Japanese : 海上保安庁 , Hepburn : Kaijō Hoan-chō ) is the coast guard responsible for the protection of the coastline of Japan under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism . It consists of about 13,700 personnel. The Japan Coast Guard was founded in 1948 as the Maritime Safety Agency and received its current English name in 2000. The motto of
588-524: A result of continuing effective defense investment due to Japan's economic development and an end to the Cold War , the JMSDF became the world's fourth largest navy by total tonnage by 2000. Japan has the eighth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, and the JMSDF is responsible for protecting this large area. As an island nation, dependent on maritime trade for the majority of its resources, including food and raw materials, maritime operations are
672-641: A rotating schedule to the Indian Ocean in an escort role for allied vessels as part of the UN-led Operation Enduring Freedom . The JMSDF, along with the Japan Coast Guard , has also been active in preventing North Korean infiltrators from reaching Japan and on 22 December 2001, engaged and sank a North Korean spy ship in the Battle of Amami-Ōshima . In 2002, the JMSDF deployed ships to
756-447: A series of major maritime anti-piracy cooperation proposals to ASEAN members. These proposals included having the Japan Coast Guard patrol regional waters alongside ASEAN maritime forces so as to establish a "regional coast guard body," strengthening state support for shipping companies, and improving coordination of regional responses to maritime attacks. Representatives of Indonesia , Malaysia , and Singapore expressed interest in
840-468: A total of 1,000 crew members. Each Escort Flotilla is formed as a fleet of eight destroyers and eight on-board helicopters. Each force is composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH) acting as a command ship, two guided-missile destroyers (DDG) and five standard or ASW destroyers (DD). The JMSDF is planning to reorganize the respective Escort Flotillas into a DDH group and DDG group, enabling faster overseas deployments. Five district units act in concert with
924-436: A very important aspect of Japanese defense policy. The JMSDF is known in particular for its anti-submarine warfare and minesweeping capabilities. Defense planners believe the most effective approach to combating hostile submarines entails mobilizing all available weapons, including surface combatants, submarines, patrol planes , and helicopters . They are also known to operate at least fourteen listening stations all over
SECTION 10
#17328447205571008-800: Is a 4-year-training institution, located in Kure , Hiroshima prefecture , established within the Coast Guard for the purpose of training students to become officers. Graduates are given a bachelor's degree upon graduation. About 40 cadets graduate from the academy each year. The JCG has divided the nation into eleven regions to facilitate its coast guard operations. Each region maintains a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, under which there are various Coast Guard Offices, Coast Guard Stations, Air Stations, Hydrographic Observatory, and Traffic Advisory Service Centers. The JCG maintains three national-level elite units for each specialized fields: Immediately after its creation,
1092-532: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( Japanese : 海上自衛隊 , Hepburn : Kaijō Jieitai ) , abbreviated JMSDF ( 海自 , Kaiji ) , also simply known as the Japanese Navy , is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces , tasked with
1176-682: Is limited by the absence of aircraft carriers , though its destroyers and frigates equipped with the Aegis combat system provide a formidable capability in antiaircraft and antimissile warfare . These capabilities are force multipliers, allowing force projection of Japan's sizable destroyer and frigate force far from home waters, and acquiring them is contentious considering Japan's "passive" defense policy. Long-range strike capability will be introduced as soon as Tomahawk cruise missiles are deployed on JMSDF destroyers. Destroyers and combat support ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were dispatched to
1260-485: Is not allowed to use force against foreign governments or naval vessels and the JMSDF is likewise constrained in its operations in support of the Japan Coast Guard. In contrast, the China Coast Guard is allowed to use force against foreign governments or naval vessels, which are supposed to be protected by international law . With China stepping up its grey-zone activities to challenge Japan, taking advantage of
1344-516: Is planned to be a high-speed trimaran designed for operations in shallow coastal waters capable of carrying helicopters, possibly a lighter variant of the American 3,000-tonne (3,000-long-ton) littoral combat ship . The study was conducted in response to the growth of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy and budgetary issues with the U.S. military that may affect their ability to operate in
1428-606: Is to ensure security and safety at sea. It is responsible for performing the following tasks: Although the Japan Coast Guard is legally a civilian organization as stipulated in Article 25 of the Coast Guard Law, it has seen increased quasi-military responsibilities and has wide latitude in its domestic and border security missions. In emergency situations, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) can assist
1512-712: The Izumo -class destroyers to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets. This makes them de facto aircraft carriers . To avoid controversy, the ruling parties call it a "multi-purpose operation destroyer". It would be the first such ship in the JMSDF since World War II . On 23 May 2019, retired MSDF vice-admiral Toshiyuki Ito stated that Japan requires at least four Izumo -class destroyers to be viable for real naval combat operations. He said "If you only have two vessels, you can only use them for training personnel for taking off and landing operations, so this plan doesn't make sense for MSDF officers, frankly speaking." As aircraft carriers ,
1596-657: The Arabian Sea in support of Operation Anaconda during the War in Afghanistan . In August 2003, a new "helicopter carrier" class was ordered, the Hyūga -class helicopter destroyer . Due to the size and features of the ship, including a full-length flight deck , it was classified as a helicopter carrier by Lloyd's Register — similar to the United Kingdom 's HMS Ocean . There
1680-558: The East China Sea southwest of the Japanese home islands ( pictured ). On 6 October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan ( pictured ) as part of the military response to ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands . On 16 November 2022,
1764-651: The Fleet Air Force headquartered at Atsugi , the Fleet Submarine Force based at Yokosuka and Kure, the Mine Warfare Force based at Yokosuka and the Fleet Training Command at Yokosuka. In March 2018, Ryoko Azuma became the first female squadron commander in the JMSDF. Her unit includes the flagship Izumo , the largest warship in the JMSDF. She commands four warships making up a division with
SECTION 20
#17328447205571848-716: The GHQ/SCAP also recognized the deficiencies of the Japanese maritime security system and in March 1946 Captain Frank M. Meals of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) was tasked to consider the situation. Captain Meals suggested the establishment of a comprehensive coast guard organization based on the USCG. In response to this, the Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) was established as an external agency of
1932-666: The Indian Navy . On 16 December 2022, the Japanese Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略), the strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (NDS or 国家防衛戦略) document outlined Japan's defense policy goals and
2016-651: The Izumo -class destroyers are relatively small, only able to carry approximately 10 F-35Bs, which Ito argued were too few to provide effective air defense. In 2019, the National Diet of Japan approved the order of 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in addition to 135 F-35A model conventional takeoff and landing fighters for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate from their land bases;
2100-483: The Japan Coast Guard Museum at Yokohama. On January 2, 2024, a Japan Coast Guard DHC-8 'Mizunagi 1' providing relief support in response to the 2024 Noto earthquake collided with a Japan Airlines Flight 516, an Airbus A350-900 , resulting in the deaths of five Coast Guard aircrew and the severe injury of a sixth. The crash occurred at Tokyo's Haneda Airport . The mission of the Japan Coast Guard
2184-465: The Korean Peninsula . On 19 December 2023, United States, Japan, and South Korea announced the activation of a real-time North Korea missile warning system as well as jointly established a multi-year trilateral exercise plan in response to North Korea's continued ballistic missile launches. The ship prefix JDS (Japanese Defense Ship) was used until 2008, at which time JMSDF ships started using
2268-630: The United States was also happy for Japan to provide part of its own defense, rather than have it fully rely on American forces . In 1952, the Safety Security Force was formed within the Maritime Safety Agency , incorporating the minesweeping fleet and other military vessels, mainly destroyers, given by the United States. In 1954, the SSF was separated, and the JMSDF was formally created as
2352-557: The 12 vessels to the JMSDF from fiscal year 2023, which starts on April 1, 2023. On August 31 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced that JMSDF will operate two " Aegis system equipped ships " (イージス・システム搭載艦 in Japanese) to replace the earlier plan of Aegis Ashore installations, commissioning one by the end of fiscal year 2027, and the other by the end of FY2028. The budget for design and other related expenses are to be submitted in
2436-484: The 350-ton class PS's were reclassified as PM type. In the late 1970s, it was clear that the new international rules on national exclusive economic zones would demand a considerable increase in the size of the Maritime Safety Agency fleets. To cope with this dramatic increase in workload, the 1,000-ton PL Shiretoko -class patrol vessels , 500-ton PM Teshio -class patrol vessels and 30-meter PC Murakumo -class patrol craft were built in large quantities. In addition,
2520-435: The 700-ton PL Daiou -class was based on Cactus -class buoy tenders , the 450-ton PM Awaji -class patrol vessel was based on Thetis -class patrol boats , the 270-ton PS Kuma -class patrol vessel was based on Active -class patrol boats , and the 23-meter PC Hatsunami -class patrol craft used a USCG 75-foot patrol boat as a model. However, these copies of American ship types were found wanting as they neither suited
2604-581: The Allied Powers as reparations. The remaining ships were used for repatriation of the Japanese soldiers from abroad and also for minesweeping in the area around Japan, initially under the control of the Second Bureau of the Demobilization Ministry . The minesweeping fleet was eventually transferred to the newly formed Maritime Safety Agency , which helped maintain the resources and expertise of
MSDF - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-784: The Defense Buildup Program, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current eight to ten, as well as two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By the end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . The JMSDF has an official strength of 50,000 personnel, but presently numbers around 50,800 active personnel. As
2772-685: The F-35B is same model aircraft that the US Marines operate from US Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the US Marines also plan to fly from the Japanese Izumo class after the STOVL modifications and refit. On October 14 2020, the 3,000-ton submarine Taigei was unveiled. This is the first vessel of the Taigei class and the 22nd submarine vessel of the JMSDF. The Taigei entered service in 2022, and
2856-450: The Indian Ocean from 2001 to 2008 to participate in OEF-MIO (Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation). Their mission is to prevent the marine transportation of illegal weapons and ammunition, and the drugs which fund terrorist activity. Since 2004, the JMSDF has provided ships of foreign forces with fuel for their ships and ship-based helicopters, as well as freshwater. This
2940-536: The Indian Ocean. In May 2010, Japan announced its intention to build a permanent naval base in Djibouti , from which it will conduct operations to protect merchant shipping from Somali pirates . The JMSDF and the U.S. Navy frequently carry out joint exercises and "U.S. Navy officials have claimed that they have a closer daily relationship with the JMSDF than any other navy in the world". The JMSDF participates in RIMPAC ,
3024-566: The JMSDF was primarily tasked with an anti-submarine role. Following the end of the Cold War , the role of the JMSDF has vastly changed. In 1991, after international pressure, the JMSDF dispatched four minesweepers, a fleet oiler ( JDS Tokiwa ) and a minesweeping tender (JDS Hayase ) to the Persian Gulf in the aftermath of the Gulf War , under the name of Operation Gulf Dawn, to clear mines sown by Saddam Hussein 's defending forces. Starting with
3108-614: The Japan Coast Guard in conducting law enforcement activities as stipulated in Article 82 of the Self-Defense Forces Law (SDFL), and the Japan Coast Guard may be placed under the direction of the Minister of Defense as stipulated in Article 80 of the SDFL. In such case, the Minister of Defense is able to give orders to the commandant of the Japan Coast Guard. However, the Japan Coast Guard
3192-730: The Japan Coast Guard is "Righteous Benevolence" ( 正義仁愛 , Seigi Jin'ai ) . Coast guard operations were performed by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Empire of Japan , but the ability of maintaining maritime security declined significantly following the surrender of Japan in August 1945 and the resulting dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Maritime trade and smuggling had increased dramatically, and even pirates had begun to appear. Consultations were undertaken between
3276-567: The Japan MSA also began protecting shipping operations by deploying air-sea rescue helicopters on-board PLHs. Since the 1980s, criminal ships had advanced into Japan's ocean spaces and were showing high speeds, also North Korean armed trawlers ( fushin-sen ) began to appear. For this reason, the MSA designed and built the 180-ton PS Mihashi -class patrol vessels that combined both ocean-going capability and high-speed performance. In addition, upping
3360-571: The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF). The two ASEV warship would be exclusively tasked for dedicated ballistic missile defense (BDM) missions (BMD等) and operate off the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan , allowing the other Aegis guided-missile destroyers to meet other contingencies (侵攻阻止) while operating independently to maintain the maritime domain awareness (MDA) and keep the sea lines of communication (SLOC) open in
3444-489: The Japanese government, which wanted to restore its public security capacity as soon as possible, and the Allied countries which wanted to maintain the disarmament of Japan. However, in 1946, an "Illegal Immigration Control Headquarters" was established in the Ministry of Transport after cholera was transmitted to Kyushu by smugglers from the Korean Peninsula . This resulted in an increase in severe infections. Meanwhile,
MSDF - Misplaced Pages Continue
3528-400: The MSA operated the second-hand ships of the former Japanese Navy, but it was only allowed to use smaller and slower vessels. The designations of PL , PM , PS and PC were used to classify ships as being: Patrol Ship – Large, Medium, Small and "Craft" = very small. From FY1949 the construction of new ships began. Because GHQ instructed the service to model its ships after those of the USCG,
3612-692: The MSA. For this mission, minesweepers of the former Imperial Japanese Navy were incorporated into the MSA and later were transferred to the Safety Security Force, a predecessor of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . In addition to activities in Japan's waters, in 1950, two flotillas of minesweepers were sent to the Korean Peninsula under the United Nations flag during the Korean War . In October 1999, Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi presented
3696-691: The Maritime Staff Office, the Self Defense Fleet, five regional district commands, the air-training squadron and various support units, such as hospitals and schools. The Maritime Staff Office, located in Tokyo, serves the Chief of Staff in commanding and supervising the force. The Self-Defense Fleet, headquartered at Yokosuka , consists of the JMSDF's military shipping. It is composed of Fleet Escort Force, based in Yokosuka , Sasebo , Maizuru and Kure ,
3780-737: The Ministry of Transportation in 1948. Its English name was changed to the Japan Coast Guard in April 2000. In 1952 the Coastal Safety Agency was created with ships supplied by the United States and spun off in 1954 as the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force . Immediately after the end of World War II , a large number of aerial mines laid by the US military were left in the waters around Japan, and clearing them became an important mission of
3864-469: The Pacific. The J-LCS would be used to intervene during Chinese ship incursions near the Senkaku Islands and other contested areas in the East China Sea , and possibly counter similar Chinese vessels like the Type 056 corvette and Type 022 missile boat . A 1,000-tonne (980-long-ton) J-LCS with an enlarged hull could operate the SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter or the MCH-101 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter. On May 1 2017, JS Izumo
3948-404: The Taepodong-1 missile over northern Japan, the JMSDF has increased its efforts in air defense . A ship-based anti-ballistic missile system was successfully test-fired on 18 December 2007 and has been installed on Japan's Aegis-equipped destroyers. In November 2009, the JMSDF announced plans for a larger "helicopter carrier", the Izumo -class helicopter destroyer . The first one of these ships
4032-424: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 22 February 2023, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan in response to
4116-423: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 16 December 2022, Second Kishida Reshuffled Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略),
4200-426: The actual operational work of the MSA nor the sea conditions around Japan. As a result, when the Treaty of San Francisco came into force, MSA's own patrol ship's design work began. The PL type patrol vessels increased in size to the 900-ton Nojima -class patrol vessel , PS type patrol vessels differentiated into the 350-ton PS Tokachi -class patrol vessel and the 130-ton PS Hidaka -class patrol vessel . Later,
4284-411: The annual multi-national military exercise near Hawaii that has been hosted by the U.S. Navy since 1980. The JMSDF dispatched a ship to the Russian Vladivostok harbor in July 1996 to participate in the Russian Navy 's 300th Anniversary Naval Review. In return, Admiral Vinogradov , an Udaloy -class destroyer , called at Tokyo Bay in June 1997. The JMSDF has also conducted joint naval exercises with
SECTION 50
#17328447205574368-441: The country that have ELINT and marine surveillance radar warning systems. Historically, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has been relied on to provide air cover at sea, a role that is subordinate to the JASDF's primary mission of air defense of the home islands. Extended patrols over sea lanes are beyond the JASDF's current capabilities. The Japanese fleet's capacity to provide ship-based antiaircraft warfare protection
4452-424: The defense minister ordered the JMSDF to return from the Indian Ocean, fulfilling a government pledge to end the eight-year refueling mission. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama refused to renew the law authorizing the mission, ignoring requests from the American government for continuation. Both the Western alliance country typified by the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Danish Navy , doing friendship activities in
4536-647: The disarmament of Japan, the weapons allowed to be carried by the MSA were restricted to only small arms in the earliest days. However, following the outbreak of the Korean War , the need to strengthen the security capability of Japan became necessary, and starting in 1954, the installation of larger guns on MSA ships began. Initially ships of the MSA were permitted to carry Mark 22 3"/50 caliber gun for large vessels (PL type), Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns for medium and small size ships (PM and PS type), and Oerlikon 20 mm L/70 guns were mounted on small patrol boats (ARB type and auxiliary submarine chasers ). Actually, however,
4620-492: The earlier Oerlikon 20 mm guns. In the beginning, only a few of the 35 mm guns had a limited remote control function, most of these guns were manually controlled. Then, full-scale remote operation and automatic tracking function were included in the guns mounted on the PLH Shikishima introduced in 1989. In addition, the 20 mm gun systems were added to the standard equipment list as JM61-RFS, and they have been mounted on many patrol vessels. And in order to counter
4704-411: The end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's 2023 budget and program guidance documented provided examples of operations (運用の一例) for the Aegis-equipped naval forces of
4788-406: The first time in 36 years. After a meeting between the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ( Second Abe Cabinet ) and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy on 4 March 2014, the Japanese Defense Ministry and U.S. Department of Defense announced they would hold studies for the joint development of the littoral vessel under the bilateral Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. The vessel
4872-422: The first time included Brunei and Indonesia in 2002, as well as Singapore in 2003. Nonetheless, successive efforts by Japanese authorities to further promote a multilateral and regional maritime defense system have stalled due to disagreements and lack of commitment by regional powers, and Japanese players have tended to favour bilateral discussions instead. In May 2000, the Japan Coast Guard introduced
4956-447: The fleet to guard the waters of their jurisdictions and provide shore-based support. Each district is home to a major JMSDF base and its supporting personnel and staff. Each district is home to one or two regional escort squadrons, composed of two to three destroyers or destroyer escorts (DE). The destroyers tend to be of older classes, mainly former escort force ships. The destroyer escorts tend to be purpose built vessels. Each district has
5040-405: The following: The JCG operates 85 aircraft, these include: The JCG does not have any emergency vehicles , but civilian vans are used for transporting goods and personnel, while some minibuses such as the Nissan Civilian and Toyota Coaster with are used for transporting prisoners or illegal immigrants that were captured by the Coast Guard. Because the Allied countries wanted to maintain
5124-417: The form of "item requests", without specific amounts, and the initial procurement of the lead items are expected to clear legislation by FY2023. Construction is to begin in the following year of FY2024. At 20,000 tons each, both vessels will be the largest surface combatant warships operated by the JMSDF, and according to Popular Mechanics , they will "arguably [be] the largest deployable surface warships in
SECTION 60
#17328447205575208-446: The gap between the Japan Coast Guard and the JMSDF in particular, some members of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party have argued that the Japan Coast Guard should be more forceful in its opposition to China. The Japan Coast Guard is led by a Commandant and two Vice Commandants. Lower ranking officers include the director general, directors and inspectors general. Organization (as of April 1, 2009) The Japan Coast Guard Academy
5292-423: The guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. Two days later, the Haguro fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the U.S. Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with
5376-519: The heavily armed North Korean naval trawlers in the event of an engagement, most recently PLs have been equipped with a 40 mm L/70 gun or 30 mm chain gun remotely controlled with an optical director. In the early days, MSA officers were issued WWII Nambu Type 14 semi-auto pistols and M1 rifles. From the 1960s, the old semi-auto Nambu pistols were replaced by newly built M60 revolvers . Some JCG security units have been equipped with modern Smith & Wesson Model 5906 TSW pistols. The M1 rifle
5460-474: The idea, although further discussions held by Obuchi's successor, Yoshirō Mori , did not yield warm responses, and Chinese representatives questioned the need for any regional anti-piracy cooperation. Nonetheless, these ideas finally materialized somewhat in 2001 when armed Japan Coast Guard ships ventured into foreign waters in order to provide Indian , Thai , and Filipino maritime forces with anti-piracy training. Nations which took part in these exercises for
5544-407: The launch of a North Korean Hwasong-15 ballistic missile on 18 February 2023, landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Sea of Japan, in an area 125 miles west of the island of Ōshima , which lies 30 miles (48 km) west of the main island of Hokkaido . Two additional IBCBMs were subsequently launched on 20 February 2023, with both landing in the Sea of Japan off the east coast of
5628-495: The means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (DBP or 防衛力整備計画) document outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to the Defense Buildup Program document, the JMSDF will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current 8 to 10 warships, as well as the introduction of two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By
5712-424: The naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), following the passage of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Law. The first ships in the JMSDF were former U.S. Navy destroyers, transferred to Japanese control in 1954. In 1956, the JMSDF received its first domestically produced destroyer since World War II, Harukaze . Due to the Cold War threat posed by the Soviet Navy 's sizable and powerful submarine fleet,
5796-426: The naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II . The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel. Following Japan's defeat in World War II , the Imperial Japanese Navy was dissolved by the Potsdam Declaration acceptance. Ships were disarmed, and some of them, such as the battleship Nagato , were taken by
5880-441: The navy. Japan's 1947 Constitution was drawn up after the conclusion of the war, which contained Article 9 , which specified that "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes." The prevalent view in Japan is that this article allows for military forces to be kept for the purposes of self-defense. Due to Cold War pressures,
5964-458: The number of 40 mm guns was insufficient, and many of the PS type had 20 mm guns installed instead. From the 1970s, substitution of these old guns began. The 3-inch guns were retired by 1979, as their age was progressing. Also from FY1978 an Oerlikon 35 mm L/90 gun was substituted on ships replacing the Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun, and from the FY1979 ships forward, the JM61-M 20 mm rotary cannons were installed on MSA ships in lieu of
6048-655: The prefix JS (Japanese Ship) to reflect the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to the Ministry of Defense . As of 2014 , the JMSDF operates a total of 124 ships, excluding minor auxiliary vessels. This includes: two multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto aircraft carriers ), two helicopter carriers ( called helicopter destroyers ), 26 destroyers , 10 small destroyers ( or frigates ), six destroyer escorts ( or corvettes ), 22 attack submarines , 29 mine countermeasure vessels , six patrol vessels , three landing ship tanks , eight training vessels and
6132-405: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title MSDF . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MSDF&oldid=1142666029 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
6216-425: The second ship of the class, Hakugei , was commissioned in 2023. On 30 June 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) by Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$ 66 million) per ship. The purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around
6300-464: The smaller carriers as " anti-submarine aircraft carriers ". Since helicopter carriers have little built-in attack capability and they primarily fulfill defensive roles such as anti-submarine warfare, the Japanese government argues that the prohibition does not extend to helicopter carriers. With an increase in tensions with North Korea following the 1993 test of the Nodong-1 missile and the 1998 test of
6384-411: The southwestern Ryukyu Islands , including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea , by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region. These vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a wide range of missions involving "enhanced steady-state intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in the waters around Japan". Under the contract, JMU is charged with delivering
6468-989: The speed of PL and PM type patrol vessels became important and this has also been achieved. As a final measure, by equipping JCG ships with remote control turrets incorporating automatic tracking functions applied to the ship's machine cannon, precise shooting became possible. Due to Japan's increased focus on grey-zone challenges around the Senkaku Islands , JCG's facilities on Ishigaki Island have been expanded so that 12 large patrol vessels can be stationed there. Ten Kunigami -class and two Hateruma -class patrol vessels have been homeported at Ishigaki, along with housing for up to 600 crew, making Ishigaki JCG's largest base, surpassing JCG's facilities at Yokohama . Another half dozen ships including three Tsugaru -class are stationed 412 km (256 mi) north of Ishigaki at JCG's 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters at Naha . The JCG operates 454 watercraft, these include
6552-428: The strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (国家防衛戦略) outlined Japan's defense policy goals and the means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (防衛力整備計画) outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to
6636-590: The world". On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. On 18 November 2022, the Haguro likewise fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with
6720-654: Was commissioned in March 2020. Japan and the United States conducted the biggest military exercise around Japan in the biennial Keen Sword from 29 October to 2 November 2018. It included a total of 57,000 sailors, marines and airmen. 47,000 service members were from the JSDF and 10,000 from the U.S. Armed Forces . A naval supply ship and a frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy also participated. There were simulations of air combat, ballistic missile defense and amphibious landings. On 18 December 2018, Japan announced it would refit
6804-482: Was discussion about whether an aircraft carrier would be prohibited by Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution , since aircraft carriers are generally considered offensive weapons. The Self-Defense Forces are not allowed to possess ICBMs , strategic bombers , or attack aircraft carriers. Historically (until about 1975 in the U.S. Navy ) large-scale carriers were classified as "attack aircraft carriers" and
6888-497: Was dispatched to protect a U.S. Navy supply vessel in the Pacific. This was the first time the JMSDF was used to defend allied vessels since the 2016 amendment to the Japanese Constitution. Japan christened the 84 m (275 ft 7 in) long, 2,950 t (2,900-long-ton) JS Ōryū submarine on October 4 2018. It is Japan's first submarine powered by lithium-ion batteries and was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . It
6972-438: Was laid down in 2012 and was launched on 6 August 2013. The submarine fleet of the JMSDF consists of some of the most technologically advanced diesel-electric submarines in the world. This is due to careful defense planning in which the submarines are routinely retired from service ahead of schedule and replaced by more advanced models. In 2010 it was announced that the Japanese submarine fleet would be increased in size for
7056-597: Was the third time Japanese military vessels had been dispatched overseas since World War II, following the deployments of mine-sweeping units during the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War . The law enabling the mission expired on 2 November 2007, and the operation was temporarily canceled due to a veto of a new bill authorizing the mission by the opposition-controlled upper chamber of the Japanese Diet . In January 2010,
#556443