THE JAPANESE MILITARY

Military Branches

Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD):

Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 27,819,804
females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 estimate)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 22,757,136
females age 16-49: 21,920,703 (2009 estimate)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 621,254
female: 589,270 (2009 estimate)

Japan’s Military Expenditures:

0.8% of GDP (2006)