Japan to boost number of military personnel

First, this increase needs two zeros added to the number. I mean, seriously.....that is rounding error. Secondly, where pray tell, is Japan going to get these people. There are not a great deal of military aged men available and the ones with other options won't choose the SDF because it cuts off all chance of a civillian career. The ones without options are frequently too soft to handle the military life.

Finally, Japan had better start boosting its defense spending (much more than the measily 40 billion yen). the ASDF needs a massive upgrade and the MSDF needs more subs.

Since they are stating a mandate to increase by 287 people, I doubt it will be an issue to recruit them, this isnt the bubble era. Unemployment is still relatively high. Also, I cant understand that they would be ending chances of a civilian career. They arent likely to have PTSD and while the transition can take time, Im sure they`ll figure it out. Though only a small number, I do know former SDF guys who have great jobs with foreign firms here in Tokyo in investment banks and defence contractors.

that number can't be correct, can it? a 0.1% increase? what a joke. again, i'm sure china is quaking in its boots right about now.

"The number of personnel, now standing at about 225,000, will increase by 287"

So Japan will have about 225,287 Self Defense Forces personnel. China has about 2,300,000 military personnel.

China: We've got 10 times as many guys as you.

Japan: Is that all? You're gonna need some more guys, ha ha!

Technically speaking Japan doesnt have a military and this article is playing up to Abe and his desire to change the Japanese constitution to make the JSDF into a full military.

This is a good step which shows resolve. It is not a mater of absolute figures it is about holding firm to principles. With such subtle and steady signs of this resolve Japan is making good steps to moving thru this crisis whereas any kind of aggression would be worse than useless. This was a wise stage on a positive path. Sometimes Peace can only be achieved thru strength. I think this is one of those cases.

There are approx. 70,000 listed as Ready Reserve Self-Defense Official and Reserve Self-Defense Official combined within the JSDF above the 225,000 personnel.

And don`t forget US Forces Japan. That adds a wee bit of power to the equation.

A big thank you from the USA taxpayers who want the USA military to stop being the cops Hiding behind a constitution is not going to an excuse, but if President Obama has his way, the Japanese and SK have nothing to worry about. USA military is out of Afghanistan, et al, but will soon increase its presence in Japan and SK.

What this article should have emphasized is that Defense Ministry actually wanted 18,000 more, apparently with strong support from the government (which seems reasonable otherwise they won't dare put it in as a request). The Finance Ministry citing the need to balance the budget, cut it down to the 287 you see now in a case of Bureaucrat Control.

@Graham DeShazo & @rickyvee I am sorry to break it to you, but it is the accurate count. The budget increase request, by the way, was about 120 billion yen, and the Finance Ministry, obviously not even interested in the appearance of being under political control, cut it to the current number. Officially the Finance Minister supports them but it is not hard to figure out what is really happening.

If I exclude this act of rebellion, I can't really blame the Finance Ministry (and who knows maybe they did convince the Finance Minister fair and square...).

I've just come back on a net debate with certain other Japanese where I proposed the defense budget should be increased to a "grand" 5 trillion yen (the top historical mark) and about .3 to .4 trillion more than it is now, and that in a budget of about 90 trillion.

Despite this being basically a picked group of those most enthusiastic for the SDF and anxious about the deteoriating situation in the East China Sea, I actually encountered severe resistance and concern about the financial situation. As if .3 trillion will break the bank where 90 trillion has failed, or the reverse.

If even the "pro-SDF" faction is like this, how can I blame the Finance Ministry, which is more or less anti-SDF for their decision?

It would be good to round up the bosozoku punks and ship them off to a Parris Island style establishment headed by a Gunnery Sargeant Hartman.

The Americans are not about to go to war with China to save a few isolated rocks for Japan. Japan hasn't the manpower to face China and never will have it. Take a look at the number of Chinese who reach conscription age each year and compare that to the number who reach service age in Japan.

warnerbroJan. 28, 2013 - 11:34PM JST The Americans are not about to go to war with China to save a few isolated rocks for Japan.

The US on more than one occation has said the complete opposite of what you're implying.

Now if you have an inside source that trumps everything that every important member of the Administration has said, please by all means show it.

But I suspect that you don't and are just claiming your misguided idea.

Now as to your belief that the PRC would win a war by their sheer numbers. I'll just ask you this, has the PRC invented a new military technology that will allow their army to walk accross the bottom of the ocean?

You do understand that if there were a war it would be fought on the oceans and not on land?

Now take a look at the Navys that would fight this war of yours and then come back.

The US on more than one occation has said the complete opposite of what you're implying.

Yes, we know what they say. It is part of the bluff. It is also true that the US has substantial interest in a good relation with China, and it is also true the treaty allows for enough interpretive room for the US to get out of going to war legally if they want to. It'll be a reputation hit, but they can do it.

So there is legitimate room for doubt on how they'll react if the bluff is called.