• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Japan Ground Self Defence Force - Modernization

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force was able to emerge as the post-war successor of the Imperial Japanese Army despite Japan’s anti-militarist constitution. In order to invade the islands of Japan, invading countries are expected to gain sea and air superiority, followed by the landing of ground troops from the sea and airborne troops from the air. The National Defense Program Guidelines [NDPG] state that only the necessary level of readiness against land invasions involving the mobilization of large ground forces, which was expected primarily during the Cold War, will be retained. In the event of a military attack on Japan, the SDF will respond with defensive mobilization. Their operations are categorized into (1) operations for aerial air defense operations, (2) defense operations protecting waters around Japan, (3) operations protecting the land, and (4) operations ensuring security in maritime communication, based on the characteristic of their purposes.

In accordance with the “National Defense Strategy” (approved by the National Security Council and Cabinet on December, 16, 2022), Japan will fundamentally reinforce its “Multi-Domain Defense Force,” capable of sustained conduct of flexible and strategic activities during all phases from peacetime to armed contingencies, focusing on the capabilities of our opponents and new ways of warfare. By FY 2027 or by five years from now, Japan will strengthen its defense capabilities to the point at which Japan is able to take the primary responsibility for dealing with invasions against its nation, and disrupt and defeat such threats while gaining support of its ally and others. In 2012, in order to speed up the formation of rapid-response units, the JGSDF purchased additional 13 Type 10 tanks to replace Type 90 tanks, and the JGSDF and JASDF together purchased 51 light-armored vehicles. Meanwhile, the JGSDF purchased additional UH-60JAs, CH47-JAs, and AH-64Ds, and appropriated additional fund for the R&D of new multi-functional helicopters to replace UH-1Js the JGSDF are currently equipped with. The JGSDF has also equipped its divisions, brigades, and regiments with the most advanced field communications systems to improve field and special operations capabilities.

The GSDF has been accumulating knowledge on electronic warfare since the Showa period (1926–1989), and also has a track record of property managing radio waves for maintaining communications when units assigned all over Japan carry out a variety of activities. The Electronic Warfare Operations Unit, in increasingly complex electromagnetic spectrum domains, will further develop the knowledge and proven performance it has accumulated thus far, aiming to become a professional group that can successfully accomplish missions in these domains.

In FY2022, the MOD/SDF will increase the number of personnel of the electronic warfare operations units, which were newly formed in FY2021 under the Ground Component Command, deploy the GSDF’s Network Electronic Warfare System (NEWS) at Camp Yonago and other locations, and begin necessary enhancements to reinforce the command and control of electronic warfare operation units deployed across Japan.

In order to deal with ships and landing forces attempting to invade Japan while ensuring the safety of SDF personnel, the SDF procured stand-off missiles which are capable of responding from the outside of their threat envelopes, and has started research and development (R&D) on technologies required for new anti-ship missiles and Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGPs) intended for the defense of remote islands to take all initiatives necessary to defend the islands since 2018, and technologies required for hypersonic weapons since 2019.

In December 2020, in addition to the aforementioned R&D, the Cabinet approved the development of an improved version of the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missiles designed for a variety of operation platforms. The FY2021 budget included funds for the development of ground-launched missiles, and this development began in July 2021. Furthermore, the FY2022 budget included funds for the development of ship-launched and air-launched missiles.

Tokyo will set aside 5 trillion yen over five years to be used for "standoff defense capability," which enables strikes from beyond the range of enemy missiles. Specifically, the Defense Ministry plans to improve the range of its Type 12 surface-to-ship missile system.

In terms of upgraded Type 12SSM, development began in FY2021 on ground-based guided missiles to be fired from systems mounted on GSDF trucks. In developing these ground-based missiles, the MOD is working on a design to standardize the functionality, performance, shape, components, and other aspects of guided missiles with a view to developing a product family that includes shipborne guided missiles fired from systems mounted on MSDF vessels and airborne guided missiles fired from ASDF fighters, while also working to shorten the development period.

The new system will not be operational until fiscal 2026. In the meantime, the government is considering purchasing US-made Tomahawk missiles. Tomahawks offer pinpoint accuracy and a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. They can be launched from the ground as well as from ships and submarines. They can fly at low altitude, which makes them hard for radar to detect, and at subsonic speeds, which provide good fuel-efficiency. All in all, some serious firepower for a professed pacifist country. Adding them to the arsenal represents a major shift in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy.

Tomahawk cruise missiles have pinpoint accuracy with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. They can be launched from the ground as well as vessels and submarines, flying at subsonic speeds and low altitudes to avoid detection by radar. First used by the US military in the 1991 Gulf War, Tomahawks were also deployed in the 2003 Iraq War and the Syrian military attack five years ago. They are currently part of the US and British militaries' arsenal, among others.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on 27 February 2023 said his country would buy 400 US Tomahawk missiles as part of his country's revised security policy. Kishida's government aims to beef up Japan's defense capacity as China flexes its military muscle and nuclear-armed North Korea stages unpredictable missile tests. Kishida told a parliamentary budget committee that "our country's plan" is to acquire "400 units" of the cruise missile without elaborating, citing the military sensitivity of the deal. Japan had set aside 211.3 billion yen ($1.55 billion or €1.47 billion) to buy the missiles in the next fiscal year.