GINC Defence
Nation

Japan

Defence ministry: Ministry of Defense (on government.ginc.org). Services: Japan Coast Guard, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, JSDF Cyber Defense Command, Joint Staff.

Japan on government.ginc.org · companies.ginc.org (when it opens)

Active personnel, published
265,157
World Bank armed forces total: 261,000 (2020)
Reserves, published
56,000
Whole security apparatus, published
276,918
Headcount published for 24 per cent of services, agencies and formations
Active platforms
4,601
Land 3,063 · Air 1,348 · Sea 190
Median year in service
2002
Interquartile 1978–2002, weighted by count
Domestic share
49 per cent
Of active platforms with a known origin
Supplier concentration
0.34
Herfindahl index of origin across 9 supplier nations

Force fingerprint

The national security structure sized by active headcount, always from the head of state: row 1 the head of state and government, row 2 the governing bodies (grey, each as wide as the forces beneath it), row 3 the services and agencies coloured by security domain, row 4 the major commands, row 5 the major formations. A hatched segment is a body whose headcount is not published.

  • Land
  • Sea
  • Air
  • Space
  • Cyber
  • Strategic
  • Intelligence
  • Internal security
  • Joint
  • Headcount not published

SVG · PNG

Order of battle

The whole national security structure from the head of state down to major formations. Bars are as wide as their headcount; the state and government bodies are drawn grey, as the government directory has them. Click a bar to zoom into it.

Known unknowns

  • The National Intelligence Bureau, created on 31 July 2026 from the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, has not published its staffing or internal organisation.
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intelligence and Analysis Service and the National Police Agency's security (public security) police are part of the intelligence community but publish no separate headcount.
  • The Defense Intelligence Headquarters publishes its total staff but not the strength of its signals or imagery components.
  • Whether the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center continues as a distinct body inside the National Intelligence Bureau has not been published.

Equipment fingerprint

Holdings by taxonomy: row 1 the ministry and its services, row 2 the six domains, row 3 the categories, row 4 each platform held as wide as its count, row 5 its split into active, reserve and on order. A hatched segment is a platform held with no published count.

Holdings

One row per platform held. Each figure is a claim with a source: the most recent official figure where one is published, else the most recent Wikipedia equipment list, else SIPRI's delivered total. Figures are never averaged.

101 of 101 platforms
ReserveOn orderFigure from
Land · Armoured personnel carrier
Bushmaster Protected Mobility VehicleJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceArmoured personnel carrier8Australia1998Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Patria AMVJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceArmoured personnel carrier182Finland2001Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Land · Reconnaissance and light armour
Komatsu LAVJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceReconnaissance and light armour1,818Japan2002Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Land · Towed artillery
MO-120-RTTowed artillery514FranceSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
155 mm FH-70 howitzerJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTowed artillery480Germany1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
M110Towed artillery91United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Rocket artillery and MLRS
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceRocket artillery and MLRS99United States1983Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Land · Mortars (120 mm+)
Common Tactical Wheeled VehicleMortars (120 mm+)–24UnknownWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
L16Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceMortars (120 mm+)heldUnited Kingdom1965Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
M6C-210Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceMortars (120 mm+)heldAustriaWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Land · Anti-tank missile system
Type 01 LMATJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAnti-tank missile systemheldJapan2001Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Type 79 Jyu-MATJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAnti-tank missile systemheldJapan1984Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Type 87 Chu-MATJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAnti-tank missile systemheldJapan1989Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Land · Ground-based air defence (short range)
self-propelled anti-aircraft weaponJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceGround-based air defence (short range)52UnknownWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
FIM-92 StingerJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceGround-based air defence (short range)heldUnited States1981Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Type 91 Surface-to-air missileJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceGround-based air defence (short range)heldJapan1994Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forcelow
Land · Ground-based air defence (medium and long range)
MIM-104 PatriotGround-based air defence (medium and long range)heldUnited States1981SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Sea · Amphibious assault ship
Assault Amphibious VehicleJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAmphibious assault ship58United States1972Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Ōsumi-class tank landing shipAmphibious assault ship3JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
LCU 1-go-class utility landing craftAmphibious assault ship1JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Destroyer
Murasame-class destroyerDestroyer9Japan1994Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Asagiri-class destroyerDestroyer7JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Abukuma-class destroyer escortDestroyer6Japan1988Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Takanami-class destroyerDestroyer5Japan2001Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Akizuki-class destroyerDestroyer4Japan2010Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Kongō-class destroyerDestroyer4Japan1991Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Asahi-class destroyerDestroyer2Japan2016Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Atago-class destroyerDestroyer2Japan2005Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Maya-class destroyerDestroyer2Japan2018Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Hatakaze-class destroyerDestroyer1Japan1984Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Frigate
Mogami-class frigateFrigate102Japan2021Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Fast attack and patrol craft
Hayabusa-class patrol boatFast attack and patrol craft6JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Mine warfare
Sugashima-class minesweeperMine warfare6UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Awaji-class minesweeperMine warfare4JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Enoshima-class minesweeperMine warfare3UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Hirashima-class minesweeperMine warfare3JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Uraga-class mine sweeper tenderMine warfare2JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Conventional submarine
Sōryū-class submarineConventional submarine12Japan2007Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Oyashio-class submarineConventional submarine8Japan1996Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Taigei-class submarineConventional submarine5Japan2020Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Sea · Replenishment and auxiliary
YDT-01 class diving tendersReplenishment and auxiliary6UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Hiuchi-class support shipReplenishment and auxiliary5Japan2001Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Towada-class replenishment shipReplenishment and auxiliary3JapanWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Mashū-class replenishment shipReplenishment and auxiliary2Japan2003Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS AkashiReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS AsukaReplenishment and auxiliary1Unknown1995Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS ChihayaReplenishment and auxiliary1Unknown1997Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS HashidateReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS KashimaReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS KurobeReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS MurotoReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS NichinanReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS ShōnanReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
JS TenryūReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Japanese icebreaker ShiraseReplenishment and auxiliary1UnknownWikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Air · Fighter and multirole
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle F-15JJapan Air Self-Defense ForceFighter and multirole155United States1976Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Mitsubishi F-2 F-2AJapan Air Self-Defense ForceFighter and multirole62United States2000Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIJapan Air Self-Defense ForceFighter and multirole47United States2015Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Izumo-class helicopter carrierFighter and multirole2Japan2013Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Air · Attack helicopter
Bell AH-1 CobraJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAttack helicopter71United States1967Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Hughes AH-64 ApacheJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceAttack helicopter12United States1984Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Air · Tanker
KC-46AJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTanker4United States2019Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
KC-767JJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTanker4United StatesWikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Lockheed KC-130 Hercules KC-130HJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTanker2United StatesWikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Air · Airborne early warning and control
Grumman E-2 HawkeyeJapan Air Self-Defense ForceAirborne early warning and control20United States1964Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
E-767Japan Air Self-Defense ForceAirborne early warning and control4United States2000Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Air · ISR and electronic warfare aircraft
NAMC YS-11Japan Air Self-Defense ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft3Japan1965Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Kawasaki C-1 EC-1Japan Air Self-Defense ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft1Japan1974Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk RQ-4BJapan Air Self-Defense ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft1United States2001Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Air · Trainer
T-4Japan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer178JapanWikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
T-7Japan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer49Japan2003Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle F-15DJJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer44United States1976Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Enstrom 480Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceTrainer30UnknownWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Mitsubishi F-2 F-2BJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer23United States2000Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
EC135Trainer15Germany1996SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
T-1 JayhawkJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer13United States1986Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
T-6 Texan IIJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTrainer0United States2000Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Air · Transport aircraft
Kawasaki C-2Japan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft15Japan2016Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Lockheed C-130 Hercules C-130HJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft14United States1956Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Learjet 35/36Transport aircraft6Unknown1973SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Gulfstream IVJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft5United States1987Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Boeing 777 777-300ERJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft2United States1995Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
British Aerospace 125Japan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft2United KingdomWikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Cessna Citation LatitudeJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft2United StatesWikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Kawasaki C-2 RC-2Japan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport aircraft1Japan2016Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Air · Transport and utility helicopter
S-70Transport and utility helicopter1415United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Bell UH-1 IroquoisJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter126United States1959Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Boeing CH-47 ChinookJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter66United States1962Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk UH-60JJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter61United States1979Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Mitsubishi H-60Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter39JapanWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Hawker 800 U-125AJapan Air Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter25United Kingdom1984Wikipedia: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Bell 412Transport and utility helicopter20130United States1981SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Bell/Boeing V-22 OspreyJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter17United States2007Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
AgustaWestland AW101Transport and utility helicopter132Italy2000SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Sikorsky CH-53E Super StallionTransport and utility helicopter11United States1981SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
CH-146 GriffonJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter10United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
H225 Super PumaJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceTransport and utility helicopter3France2004Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Hyūga-class helicopter destroyerTransport and utility helicopter2Japan2007Wikipedia: List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships
Air · ISR UAV
Honeywell RQ-16 T-HawkJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceISR UAV20ArmeniaWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Yamaha R-MAXJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceISR UAV6ArmeniaWikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagleJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceISR UAV1United States2005Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Suppliers

Origin nations by share of active platforms, the domestic bar first. Colours follow the origin highlight: domestic, allied or treaty partner, other foreign.

Japan

United States

France

Germany

United Kingdom

Armenia

Italy

Australia

Finland

2,214

1,186

517

495

27

26

13

8

1

Sources for this nation

  • sipri-at
  • wikipedia:japan-air-self-defense-force
  • wikipedia:list-of-active-japan-maritime-self-defense-force-ships
  • wikipedia:list-of-equipment-of-the-japan-ground-self-defense-force

Structure: ref/units/JPN.yaml, every body with the source that acknowledges it. See sources and methodology.