Japan
Total Military Force
Active: 239,900
Reserves: 47,000
Army (Ground Self-Defense Force) (148,200)
5 Army HQ (Regional)
11 Divisions including 1 Armed Division
2 Infantry Brigades
2 Composite Brigades
1 Air Defense Brigade
1 Artillery Brigades, 1 Artillery unit
2 Air Defense Brigades with 3 Air Defense Groups
3 Training Brigades, 1 Training Regiment
5 Engineering Brigade
1 Helicopter Brigade
Navy (Maritime Self-Defense Force) (44,400)
Bases: Yokosuka, Kure, Sasebo, Maizuru, Ominato
Air Force (Air Self-Defense Force) (45,600)
Flying Hours: 150
Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces
Independent
Iraq: 1000
UN
UNMISET (East Timor): 495
UNDOF (Syria/Israel): 30
The following forces are currently stationed in the Japan:
US: 40,680
Paramilitary (12,250)
Coast Guard: 12,250
Strategic Force
Japan's nuclear power program based on reprocessed plutonium has aroused widespread suspicion that Japan is secretly planning to develop nuclear weapons. Japan's nuclear technology and ambiguous nuclear inclinations have provided a considerable nuclear potential, becoming a "paranuclear state." Japan would not have material or technological difficulties in making nuclear weapons. Japan has the raw materials, technology, and capital for developing nuclear weapons. Japan could possibly produce functional nuclear weapons in as little as a year's time. On the strength of its nuclear industry, and its stockpile of weapons-useable plutonium, Japan in some respects considers itself, and is treated by others as, as a virtual nuclear weapons state.
For More Information See Links.
| Japan * |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
| GDP |
4.3tr |
4.0tr |
|
| Defense Exp |
40.8bn |
39.5bn |
|
| Defense Bdgt |
40.8bn |
39.5bn |
41.4b |
* All figures in US dollars.
Links:
Japan Specific Weapons Systems
Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force
FAS on Japanese Nuclear Capabilities
The International Institute for Strategic Studies
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