View source for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

{{Short description|Maritime warfare branch of Japan's military}}
{{Redirect2|Japanese Navy|Maritime Self-Defense Force|the navy of the Japanese Empire|Imperial Japanese Navy}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
| native_name                   = {{nativename|ja|海上自衛隊}}
| image                         = JMSDF Emblem.svg
| image_size                    = 150px
| caption                       = Emblem of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
| start_date                    = {{Start date and age|1954|07|01|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=History - Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/history.html |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defense |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218185338/https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/history.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| dates                         = 
| country                       = {{flagu|Japan}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
| size                          = 50,800 personnel<br>150+ ships<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/dd/index.html |title=海上自衛隊：ギャラリー：写真ギャラリー：護衛艦（艦艇）|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223022533/http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/dd/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/ss/index.html |title=海上自衛隊：ギャラリー：潜水艦（艦艇）|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222212859/http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/ss/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br>346 aircraft<ref name="Flightglobal">{{cite web |url=https://d1fmezig7cekam.cloudfront.net/VPP/Global/Flight/Airline%20Business/AB%20home/Edit/WorldAirForces2015.pdf |title=Flightglobal - World Air Forces 2015 |publisher=[[Flightglobal.com]]|access-date=2015-05-31|archive-date=2014-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219164437/https://d1fmezig7cekam.cloudfront.net/VPP/Global/Flight/Airline%20Business/AB%20home/Edit/WorldAirForces2015.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| command_structure             = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.svg|size=23px}} [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Ichigaya]], [[Shinjuku]], [[Tokyo]], Japan
| garrison_label                = 
| equipment                     = 2 [[light aircraft carrier]]s<br>2 [[helicopter carrier]]s<br />22 [[submarine]]s<br />36 [[destroyer]]s<br />10 [[frigate]]s<br />6 [[destroyer escort]]s<br />4 [[Landing Ship, Tank|landing ships]]<br />30 [[minesweeper]]s<br />6 [[patrol boat]]s<br />8 [[training ship]]s<br /> (21 [[Auxiliary ship|auxiliaries]])
| equipment_label               = Fleet
| nickname                      = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = [[Gunkan kōshinkyoku]] {{audio|01 軍艦行進曲.ogg|Play}}
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honors                 = 
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/|mod.go.jp}}
| commander1                    = [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Shigeru Ishiba]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = [[Gen Nakatani]]
| commander2_label              = [[Minister of Defense (Japan)|Minister of Defense]]
| commander3                    = [[Military ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces#Maritime Self-Defence Force|General]] [[Yoshihide Yoshida]]
| commander3_label              = [[Chief of Staff, Joint Staff]]
| commander4                    = [[Military ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces#Maritime Self-Defence Force|Admiral]] Akira Saitō
| commander4_label              = Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:JP Naval Masthead pennant.svg|140px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Commissioning pennant
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|100px|border]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Ensign
}}

The {{nihongo|'''Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force'''|海上自衛隊|Kaijō Jieitai||lead=yes}}, abbreviated '''{{Nihongo|JMSDF|海自|Kaiji}}''',<ref name="jmsdf-tatsu_s33.04.01">{{Cite web |date=2018-03-28 |title=海上自衛隊の部内相互間において使用する文書の略語の定義に関する達(平成30年3月28日海上自衛隊達第10号〔航空隊等の内部組織に関する達の一部を改正する達附則第２条による改正〕) |url=http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/e_fd/1954/ey19541207_00027_000.pdf |website= |publisher=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |page=17 |language=ja |access-date=2022-03-18 |archive-date=2021-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909165150/http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/e_fd/1954/ey19541207_00027_000.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> also simply known as the '''Japanese Navy''',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kyle |first1=Mizokami |title=Sorry, China: Why the Japanese Navy is the Best in Asia |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/sorry-china-why-the-japanese-navy-the-best-asia-18056 |website=The National Interest |date=16 October 2016 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808060855/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/sorry-china-why-the-japanese-navy-the-best-asia-18056 |url-status=live}}</ref> is the [[navy|maritime warfare]] branch of the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]], tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] (IJN) after [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]] |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html |title=Japan> National Security> Self-Defense Forces> Early Development |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=26 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526060143/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel.
[[File:JMSDF_01G_PHOTOEX.jpg|thumb|260x260px|JMSDF during fleet maneuvers in 2019]]

==History==

===Origin===
{{Main|Safety Security Force}}
Following [[Surrender of Japan|Japan's defeat]] in [[World War II]], the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] was dissolved by the [[Potsdam Declaration]] acceptance. Ships were disarmed, and some of them, such as the battleship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Nagato||2}}, were taken by the Allied Powers as reparations. The remaining ships were used for repatriation of the Japanese soldiers from abroad and also for minesweeping in the area around Japan, initially under the control of the ''Second Bureau of the Demobilization Ministry''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaiT_nSgsMcC&q=Demobilization+Ministry |title=Japan's Sea Lane Security, 1940–2004: A Matter Of Life And Death? |first=Euan |last=Graham |series=Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies Series |publisher=Routledge |date=2006 |page=307 |isbn=0-41535-640-7 |access-date=2020-10-26 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224084842/https://books.google.com/books?id=EaiT_nSgsMcC&q=Demobilization+Ministry |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[minesweeping]] fleet was eventually transferred to the newly formed [[Japan Coast Guard|Maritime Safety Agency]], which helped maintain the resources and expertise of the navy.

Japan's [[Constitution of Japan|1947 Constitution]] was drawn up after the conclusion of the war, which contained [[Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan|Article 9]], which specified that "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes." The prevalent view in Japan is that this article allows for military forces to be kept for the purposes of self-defense. Due to [[Cold War]] pressures, the [[United States]] was also happy for Japan to provide part of its own defense, rather than have it fully rely on [[United States Forces Japan|American forces]].

In 1952, the [[Safety Security Force]] was formed within the [[Japan Coast Guard|Maritime Safety Agency]], incorporating the minesweeping fleet and other military vessels, mainly destroyers, given by the United States. In 1954, the SSF was separated, and the JMSDF was formally created as the naval branch of the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]] (JSDF), following the passage of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Law.

The first ships in the JMSDF were former [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] destroyers, transferred to Japanese control in 1954. In 1956, the JMSDF received its first domestically produced destroyer since World War II, ''[[JDS Harukaze|Harukaze]]''. Due to the Cold War threat posed by the [[Soviet Navy]]'s sizable and powerful submarine fleet, the JMSDF was primarily tasked with an anti-submarine role.

===Post-Cold War===
Following the end of the [[Cold War]], the role of the JMSDF has vastly changed. In 1991, after international pressure, the JMSDF dispatched four minesweepers, a fleet oiler ([[Towada-class replenishment ship|JDS ''Tokiwa'']]) and a minesweeping tender (JDS ''Hayase'') to the Persian Gulf in the aftermath of the [[Gulf War]], under the name of Operation Gulf Dawn, to clear mines sown by [[Saddam Hussein]]'s defending forces.<ref name="kata">Woolley, Peter J. (1996). "The Kata of Japan's Naval Forces," [[Naval War College Review]], XLIX, 2: 59–69.</ref> Starting with a mission to Cambodia in 1993 when JSDF personnel were supported by [[Towada-class replenishment ship|JDS ''Towada'']],<ref name="kata"/> it has been active in a number of [[United Nations peacekeeping|UN-led peacekeeping operations]] throughout Asia.

In 1993, the JMSDF commissioned its first [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]]-equipped destroyer, {{JDS|Kongō||2}}. It has also been active in joint naval exercises with other countries, such as the United States. The JMSDF has dispatched a number of its destroyers on a rotating schedule to the Indian Ocean in an escort role for allied vessels as part of the UN-led [[Operation Enduring Freedom]].

===21st century===
[[File:SM3 from JDS Kongo.jpg|thumb|right|A [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3]] launched from {{JS|Kongō}}, an [[Aegis Combat System|Aegis destroyer]]]]
[[File:SS-504 けんりゅう (1).jpg|thumb|The {{sclass|Sōryū|submarine|0}} attack submarine ''[[JS Kenryū (SS-504)|Kenryū]]'']]
[[File:JS Izumo（DDH-183）seen from the sky 10-03-2021.jpg|thumb|right|{{ship|JS|Izumo}}, an {{sclass|Izumo|helicopter destroyer}} being refitted to carry [[F-35B]] stealth fighters]]

The JMSDF, along with the [[Japan Coast Guard]], has also been active in preventing [[North Korea]]n infiltrators from reaching Japan and on 22 December 2001, [[Action of 22 December 2001|engaged and sank]] a North Korean [[spy ship]] in the [[Battle of Amami-Ōshima]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/asia-pacific/1727867.stm |title=Japan says 'spy ship' fired rockets |date=25 December 2001 |website=BBC News|access-date=29 January 2009|archive-date=25 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040625144527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/asia-pacific/1727867.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2002, the JMSDF deployed ships to the [[Arabian Sea]] in support of [[Operation Anaconda]] during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Henriksen |first=Thomas H. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781009053242/type/book |title=America's Wars: Interventions, Regime Change, and Insurgencies after the Cold War |date=2022-01-31 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-009-05324-2 |edition=1 |doi=10.1017/9781009053242.005 |s2cid=245269947|access-date=2022-02-04|archive-date=2022-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802044357/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/americas-wars/0EF1A3F2EDA536EAD994C59057E6E273|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2003, a new "helicopter carrier" class was ordered, the {{sclass|Hyūga|helicopter destroyer}}. Due to the size and features of the ship, including a full-length [[flight deck]], it was classified as a [[helicopter carrier]] by [[Lloyd's Register]] — similar to the [[United Kingdom]]'s {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}}. The Self-Defense Forces are not allowed to possess [[Intercontinental ballistic missile|ICBMs]], [[strategic bomber]]s, or "attack aircraft carriers".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Constitution and the Basis of Defense Policy |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/publ/w_paper/wp2020/pdf/R02020102.pdf |website=Japanese Ministry of Defense}}</ref> However, according to the Japanese government’s definition, "attack aircraft carriers" refer specifically to carriers designed solely for nuclear bombers to conduct nuclear strikes.<ref>[https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/txt/119815254X02420190607/21 第198回国会　参議院　本会議　第24号　令和元年6月7日 政府答弁]</ref> Aircraft carriers equipped with helicopters, conventional fighter jets or attack aircraft—whether they are small light carriers or large nuclear-powered carriers—are not considered illegal.<ref>[https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/txt/111215261X00419880311/206 第112回国会　参議院　予算委員会　第4号　昭和63年3月11日 政府答弁]</ref> 

With an increase in tensions with [[North Korea]] following the 1993 test of the [[Nodong-1]] missile and the 1998 test of the Taepodong-1 missile over northern Japan, the JMSDF has increased its efforts in [[air defense]]. A ship-based [[anti-ballistic missile]] system was successfully test-fired on 18 December 2007 and has been installed on Japan's Aegis-equipped destroyers.

In November 2009, the JMSDF announced plans for a larger "helicopter carrier", the {{sclass|Izumo|helicopter destroyer|1}}. The first one of these ships was laid down in 2012<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/6635212/Japan-to-build-fleets-biggest-helicopter-destroyer-to-fend-off-China.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Japan to build fleet's biggest helicopter destroyer to fend off China |first=Danielle |last=Demetriou |date=23 November 2009 | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-date=16 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616162609/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/6635212/Japan-to-build-fleets-biggest-helicopter-destroyer-to-fend-off-China.html | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100617054520/http://www.bucharestherald.com/worldnews/43-worldnews/7538-japan-to-build-fleets-biggest-helicopter-destroyer-to-fend-off-china]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ihi.co.jp/ihi/press/2011/2012-1-27/index.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620125930/http://www.ihi.co.jp/ihi/press/2011/2012-1-27/index.html|date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> and was launched on 6 August 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/japan-unveils-new-carrier-like-warship-largest-in-navy-since-wwii |work=Fox News |title=Japan unveils new carrier-like warship, largest in navy since WWII |agency=Associated Press |date=6 August 2013 | access-date=9 May 2015 | archive-date=12 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612094026/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/08/06/japan-unveils-new-carrier-like-warship-largest-in-its-navy-since-world-war-ii/ | url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[submarine]] fleet of the JMSDF consists of some of the most technologically advanced diesel-electric submarines in the world. This is due to careful defense planning in which the submarines are routinely retired from service ahead of schedule and replaced by more advanced models.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apac2020.the-diplomat.com/feature/the-next-arms-race/ |title=The Next Arms Race - APAC 2020, the decade ahead |work=The Diplomat |first1=Toshi |last1=Yoshihara |first2=James R. |last2=Holmes |access-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110818205032/http://apac2020.the-diplomat.com/feature/the-next-arms-race/ |archive-date=18 August 2011}}</ref> In 2010 it was announced that the Japanese submarine fleet would be increased in size for the first time in 36 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/26/2010072601021.html |title=Japan to Beef Up Submarines to Counter Chinese Power |work=The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition) |date=26 July 2010|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-date=4 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304090448/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/26/2010072601021.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After a meeting between the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Japanese Foreign Minister]] [[Fumio Kishida]] ([[Second Abe Cabinet]]) and U.S. Ambassador to Japan [[Caroline Kennedy]] on 4 March 2014, the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Japanese Defense Ministry]] and [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] announced they would hold studies for the joint development of the littoral vessel under the bilateral Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. The vessel is planned to be a [[Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept|high-speed trimaran]] designed for operations in shallow coastal waters capable of carrying helicopters, possibly a lighter variant of the American {{convert|3,000|t|LT|adj=on}} [[littoral combat ship]].<ref name="thediplomat.com">{{cite magazine |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/03/us-japan-to-jointly-develop-littoral-combat-ship/ |title=US, Japan to Jointly Develop Littoral Combat Ship |magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |date=7 March 2014 |access-date = 9 May 2015 |archive-date = 28 April 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150428072143/http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/us-japan-to-jointly-develop-littoral-combat-ship/ |url-status = live}}</ref> 

The study was conducted in response to the growth of the Chinese [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] and budgetary issues with the U.S. military that may affect their ability to operate in the Pacific. The J-LCS would be used to intervene during Chinese ship incursions near the [[Senkaku Islands]] and other contested areas in the [[East China Sea]], and possibly counter similar Chinese vessels like the [[Type 056 corvette]] and [[Type 22 missile boat|Type 022 missile boat]]. A {{convert|1,000|tonne|LT|adj=on}} J-LCS with an enlarged hull could operate the [[SH-60 Seahawk|SH-60K]] anti-submarine helicopter or the MCH-101 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter.<ref name="thediplomat.com" />

On May 1 2017, {{ship|JS|Izumo}} was dispatched to protect a [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] supply vessel in the Pacific. This was the first time the JMSDF was used to defend allied vessels since the 2016 amendment to the Japanese Constitution.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mainichi.jp/English/articles/20170501/p2g/00m/0dm/001000c |title=Japan issues 1st order to protect US ships amid N.K. tension |publisher=The Mainichi |date=1 May 2017|access-date= 1 May 2017 |language=en|archive-date= 1 May 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170501062134/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170501/p2g/00m/0dm/001000c|url-status= live}}</ref>

Japan christened the {{cvt|84|m|ftin}} long, {{cvt|2,950|t|LT|adj=on}} [[JS Ōryū (SS-511)|JS ''Ōryū'']] submarine on October 4 2018. It is Japan's first submarine powered by [[lithium-ion]] batteries and was developed by [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]. It was commissioned in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vavasseur |first=Xavier |date=2020-03-05 |title=JMSDF Commissioned its 1st Li-Ion Battery Submarine SS-511 JS Ōryū おうりゅう |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/03/jmsdf-commissioned-its-1st-li-ion-battery-submarine-ss-511-js-oryu-おうりゅう/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Japan and the United States conducted the biggest military exercise around Japan in the biennial Keen Sword from 29 October to 2 November 2018. It included a total of 57,000 sailors, marines and airmen. 47,000 service members were from the JSDF and 10,000 from the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. Armed Forces]]. A naval supply ship and a frigate of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] also participated. There were simulations of air combat, ballistic missile defense and amphibious landings.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. carrier leads warships in biggest Japan defense war game |date=4 November 2018 |publisher=Asahi Shimbun |access-date=6 November 2018 |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201811040018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105050807/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201811040018.html |archive-date=2018-11-05}}</ref>

On 18 December 2018, Japan announced it would refit the [[Izumo-class multi-purpose destroyer|''Izumo''-class destroyers]] to carry US-designed [[F-35B]] fighter jets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theindependent.in/japan-to-induct-aircraft-carrier-first-one-after-ww2/ |title=Japan to induct Aircraft Carrier – first one after WW2 |work=TheIndependent.in |date=18 December 2018 |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219000829/http://theindependent.in/japan-to-induct-aircraft-carrier-first-one-after-ww2/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This makes them ''de facto'' [[aircraft carriers]]. To avoid controversy, the ruling parties call it a "multi-purpose operation destroyer". It would be the first such ship in the JMSDF since [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201812060055.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209044233/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201812060055.html |archive-date=9 December 2018 |title=Japan avoids flak by refusing to call flattop 'aircraft carrier' |work=The Asahi Shimbun |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>

On 23 May 2019, retired MSDF vice-admiral Toshiyuki Ito stated that Japan requires at least four ''Izumo''-class destroyers to be viable for real naval combat operations. He said "If you only have two vessels, you can only use them for training personnel for taking off and landing operations, so this plan doesn't make sense for MSDF officers, frankly speaking." As [[aircraft carrier]]s, the ''Izumo''-class destroyers are relatively small, only able to carry approximately 10 F-35Bs, which Ito argued were too few to provide effective air defense.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/23/national/izumo-needed-upgrade-mere-show-force |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604123208/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/23/national/izumo-needed-upgrade-mere-show-force/ |archive-date=4 June 2019 |title=Japan's plan to remodel Izumo-class carriers: Needed upgrade or mere show of force? |work=[[The Japan Times]] |date=23 May 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, the [[National Diet]] of Japan approved the order of 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in addition to 135 F-35A model conventional takeoff and landing fighters for the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] to operate from their land bases; the F-35B is same model aircraft that the US Marines operate from US Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the US Marines also plan to fly from the Japanese ''Izumo'' class after the STOVL modifications and refit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/18/asia/japan-aircraft-carriers-intl/index.html |work=CNN|title=Japan to have first aircraft carriers since World War II |date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716163745/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/18/asia/japan-aircraft-carriers-intl/index.html |archive-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref>

On October 14 2020, the 3,000-ton submarine {{ship|JS|Taigei||2}} was unveiled. This is the first vessel of the ''Taigei'' class and the 22nd submarine vessel of the JMSDF. The ''Taigei'' entered service in 2022, and the second ship of the class, [[JS Hakugei (SS-514)|''Hakugei'']], was commissioned in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manuel |first=Rojoef |date=2023-03-22 |title=Japan Receives Second Taigei-Class Submarine 'JS Hakugei' |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/03/22/japan-taigei-hakugei-submarine-delivery/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:JS Maya (DDG-179).jpg|thumb|[[Aegis Combat System|Aegis]] [[guided-missile destroyer]] destroyer [[JS Maya|JS ''Maya'']]]]

On 30 June 2022, the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Japan Ministry of Defense]] announced the construction of [[Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program|12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs)]] by [[Japan Marine United Corporation]] (JMU) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$66 million) per ship.  The purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around the southwestern [[Ryukyu Islands]], including the [[Senkaku Islands dispute|disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands]] in the [[East China Sea]], by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region. These vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a wide range of missions involving "enhanced steady-state [[intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance]] (ISR) in the waters around Japan". Under the contract, JMU is charged with delivering the 12 vessels to the JMSDF from fiscal year 2023, which starts on April 1, 2023.<ref name="Takahashi">{{Cite web |date=2 July 2022 |author=Kosuke Takahashi |title=Japan Awards Contract to Shipbuilder JMU for 12 New Offshore Patrol Vessels |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/japan-awards-contract-to-shipbuilder-jmu-for-12-new-offshore-patrol-vessels/ |website=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="Ng">{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2022 |author=Jr Ng |title=Japan Marine United selected to build JMSDF's next-gen OPV |url=https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2022/07/japan-marine-united-selected-to-build-jmsdfs-next-gen-opv/ |website=Asia Military Review |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref>

On August 31 2022, the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Japan Ministry of Defense]] announced that JMSDF will operate two "[[Aegis system equipped vessels (ASV)|Aegis system equipped ships]]" (イージス・システム搭載艦 in Japanese) to replace the earlier plan of Aegis Ashore installations, commissioning one by the end of fiscal year 2027, and the other by the end of FY2028. The budget for design and other related expenses are to be submitted in the form of "item requests", without specific amounts, and the initial procurement of the lead items are expected to clear legislation by FY2023. Construction is to begin in the following year of FY2024. At 20,000 tons each, both vessels will be the largest [[surface combatant]] warships operated by the JMSDF, and according to ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'', they will "arguably [be] the largest deployable surface warships in the world".<ref name="Lia">{{Cite web |date=1 September 2022 |author=Lia Wong |title=Japanese Defense Budget Expansion Includes Two 20,000 Ton Cruisers |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/09/01/japanese-defense-budget-expansion-includes-two-20000-ton-cruisers/ |website=Overt Defense |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="Mahadzir">{{Cite web |date=6 September 2022 |author=Dzirhan Mahadzir |title=Japan to Build Two 20,000-ton Missile Defense Warships, Indian Carrier Commissions |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/09/06/japan-to-build-two-massive-20000-ton-missile-defense-warships-indian-carrier-commissions#more-97081/ |website=[[United States Naval Institute|USNI News Blog]] |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=Yoshihiro>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2022 |author=Yoshihiro Inaba |title=Japan's New "Aegis Equipped Ships": What We Know So Fars |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/09/01/japanese-defense-budget-expansion-includes-two-20000-ton-cruisers/ |website=NavalNews |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=Mizokami>{{cite web |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a41123804/japan-to-build-20-000-ton-warships/ |author=Kyle Mizokami |title=Japan Defense Ministry plans new Aegis destroyers in place of Aegis Ashore |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912200955/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a41123804/japan-to-build-20-000-ton-warships/ |website=[[Popular Mechanics]] |archive-date=12 September 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer {{JS|Maya|DDG-179|2}} fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. On 18 November 2022, the {{JS|Haguro|DDG-180|2}} likewise fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] on [[Kauai Island]], Hawaii, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]]. This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest {{sclass|Maya|destroyer|1}}s.<ref name="news.usni.org">{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/21/two-japanese-destroyers-score-in-ballistic-missile-defense-test-off-hawaii#more-99073 |title=Two Japanese Destroyers Score in Ballistic Missile Defense Test off Hawaii |last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |date=November 21, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=November 22, 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

On 16 December 2022, [[Second Kishida Cabinet (Reshuffled)|Second Kishida Reshuffled Cabinet]] approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略), the strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (国家防衛戦略) outlined Japan's defense policy goals and the means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (防衛力整備計画) outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to the Defense Buildup Program, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current eight to ten, as well as two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By the end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with [[Aegis Combat System|Aegis Weapon System]] (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|destroyer escorts]] with {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|1}}s.<ref name="Yoshihiro2">{{Cite web |date=3 January 2023 |author= Yoshihiro Inaba |title=Japan To Increase The Number Of Aegis Destroyers |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/01/japan-to-increase-the-number-of-aegis-destroyers/ |website= NavalNews |access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

== Capabilities ==
[[File:Japan Exclusive Economic Zones.png|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Japan]]'s exclusive economic zones:{{legend|#dd12c2|Japan's EEZ}}{{legend|#f080e1|Joint regime with Republic of Korea}}{{legend|#f2d1ee|EEZ claimed by Japan, disputed by others}}]]

The JMSDF has an official strength of 50,000 personnel, but presently numbers around 50,800 active personnel.

As a result of continuing effective defense investment due to [[Japanese economic miracle|Japan's economic development]] and an end to the [[Cold War]], the JMSDF became the world's fourth largest navy by total tonnage by 2000.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Crisher; Souva |first=Brian Benjamin; Mark |date=2014 |title=Power At Sea: A Naval Power Dataset, 1865-2011 |url=http://www.briancrisher.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/crishersouva_poweratsea_final_v1.1.pdf |journal=International Interactions |volume=40 |issue=4 |pages=602–629 |doi=10.1080/03050629.2014.918039 |s2cid=154812579|access-date=2020-06-26|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025936/http://www.briancrisher.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/crishersouva_poweratsea_final_v1.1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan has the eighth largest [[Exclusive economic zone of Japan|Exclusive Economic Zone]] (EEZ) in the world,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nippon.zaidan.info/seikabutsu/2003/00163/contents/0006.htm |title=海洋白書 2004 |publisher=Nippon Foundation| access-date=11 February 2008| archive-date=24 February 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224015328/http://nippon.zaidan.info/seikabutsu/2003/00163/contents/0006.htm| url-status=live}}</ref> and the JMSDF is responsible for protecting this large area. As an island nation, dependent on maritime trade for the majority of its resources, including food and raw materials, maritime operations are a very important aspect of Japanese defense policy.

The JMSDF is known in particular for its [[anti-submarine warfare]] and [[Naval mine#Mine sweeping|minesweeping]] capabilities. Defense planners believe the most effective approach to combating hostile [[submarine]]s entails mobilizing all available weapons, including surface combatants, submarines, [[patrol plane]]s, and [[helicopter]]s. They are also known to operate at least fourteen listening stations all over the country that have ELINT and marine surveillance radar warning systems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p309261/pdf/ch091.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-01-23 |archive-date=2019-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071419/http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p309261/pdf/ch091.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

Historically, the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] (JASDF) has been relied on to provide air cover at sea, a role that is subordinate to the JASDF's primary mission of air defense of the home islands. Extended patrols over sea lanes are beyond the JASDF's current capabilities.

The Japanese fleet's capacity to provide ship-based [[antiaircraft warfare]] protection is limited by the absence of [[aircraft carriers]], though its [[destroyer]]s and [[frigate]]s equipped with the [[Aegis combat system]] provide a formidable capability in antiaircraft and [[anti-ballistic missile|antimissile warfare]]. These capabilities are force multipliers, allowing force projection of Japan's sizable destroyer and frigate force far from home waters, and acquiring them is contentious considering Japan's "passive" defense policy.

Long-range strike capability will be introduced as soon as Tomahawk cruise missiles are deployed on JMSDF destroyers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlop |first=Tom |date=2 September 2024 |title=Japan fitting warships with Tomahawk land attack missiles |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/japan-fitting-warships-with-tomahawk-land-attack-missiles/|work=ukdefencejournal.org.uk |location= |access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref>

== Activities ==

=== International activities ===
[[File:US Navy 061122-N-8036C-215 The Japanese fast combat support ship JDS Mashu (AOE 425) conducts a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68).jpg|thumb|The Japanese fast combat support ship [[JS Mashū (AOE-425)|JS ''Mashu'']] (left) conducts a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the guided-missile cruiser {{USS|Anzio|CG-68|6}} in the Arabian Sea, November 2006]]

====Mission in the Indian Ocean====

Destroyers and combat support ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were dispatched to the Indian Ocean from 2001 to 2008 to participate in OEF-MIO (Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/s_defense/index.html#replenishment |title=About activity based on Antiterrorism Law |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defense| access-date=11 February 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080128173253/http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/s_defense/index.html#replenishment <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 28 January 2008}}</ref> Their mission is to prevent the marine transportation of illegal weapons and ammunition, and the drugs which fund terrorist activity. Since 2004, the JMSDF has provided ships of foreign forces with fuel for their ships and ship-based helicopters, as well as freshwater.

This was the third time Japanese military vessels had been dispatched overseas since World War II, following the deployments of mine-sweeping units during the Korean War and the Persian [[Gulf War]]. The law enabling the mission expired on 2 November 2007, and the operation was temporarily canceled due to a veto of a new bill authorizing the mission by the opposition-controlled upper chamber of the [[House of Councillors (Japan)|Japanese Diet]].

In January 2010, the defense minister ordered the JMSDF to return from the Indian Ocean, fulfilling a government pledge to end the eight-year refueling mission. Prime Minister [[Yukio Hatoyama]] refused to renew the law authorizing the mission, ignoring requests from the American government for continuation. Both the Western alliance country typified by the [[Royal Australian Navy]] and the [[Royal Danish Navy]], doing friendship activities in the Indian Ocean.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/world/asia/16briefs-Japan.html |title=Japan: Navy Ends Mission in Support of Afghan War |last=Fackler |first=Martin |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 January 2010 |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=19 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519003844/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/world/asia/16briefs-Japan.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Mission in Somalia====
{{Further|Piracy in Somalia}}

In May 2010, Japan announced its intention to build a permanent naval base in [[Djibouti]], from which it will conduct operations to protect merchant shipping from [[Piracy off the coast of Somalia|Somali pirates]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/05/11/Japan-to-build-navy-base-in-Gulf-of-Aden/UPI-60511273596816/ |title=Japan to build navy base in Gulf of Aden |date=11 May 2010 |work=UPI|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-date=17 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617033441/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/05/11/Japan-to-build-navy-base-in-Gulf-of-Aden/UPI-60511273596816|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Military exercises and exchanges====
[[File:JS Hyūga (DDH-181) in formation with USS George Washington in the East China Sea after Keen Sword 2013, -16 Nov. 2012 a.jpg|thumb|{{ship|JS|Hyūga||6}}, {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|6}} and {{ship|JS|Kunisaki||6}} in formation with other JMSDF ships at the culmination of Exercise Keen Sword 2013, [[East China Sea]]]]

The JMSDF and the [[U.S. Navy]] frequently carry out joint exercises and "U.S. Navy officials have claimed that they have a closer daily relationship with the JMSDF than any other navy in the world".<ref>[http://opencrs.com/document/RL33436/2009-07-28/?23745 CRS RL33740 The Changing U.S.-Japan Alliance: Implications for U.S. Interests] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609044156/http://opencrs.com/document/RL33436/2009-07-28/?23745 |date=June 9, 2011 }}</ref> The JMSDF participates in [[RIMPAC]], the annual multi-national military exercise near Hawaii that has been hosted by the U.S. Navy since 1980. The JMSDF dispatched a ship to the Russian [[Vladivostok]] harbor in July 1996 to participate in the [[Russian Navy]]'s 300th Anniversary Naval Review. In return, ''[[Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov|Admiral Vinogradov]]'', an {{sclass|Udaloy|destroyer|1}}, called at [[Tokyo Bay]] in June 1997. The JMSDF has also conducted joint naval exercises with the [[Indian Navy]].

*[[RIMPAC]]: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participated in RIMPAC after 1980.
*Pacific Shield ([[Proliferation Security Initiative|PSI]]): The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has participated in Pacific Shield after 2004; and in 2007, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hosted the exercise.
*Pacific Reach: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has participated in the bi-annual submarine rescue exercise since 2000. In 2002, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hosted the exercise.
*Navy to Navy Talks: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force holds regular naval conferences with its counterparts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
*[[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System|AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense]] FTM: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has participated in the FTM after [[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System#FTM-10|FTM-10]]. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force carried out [[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System#JFTM-1|JFTM-1]] in December 2007.
* The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participates in the United States Navy's Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) in which officers and enlisted personnel from each country serve fully integrated into the other country's navy for two years.
* Keen Sword is the biggest biennial military exercise around Japan. The participants are primarily Japan and the United States.

=== JMSDF Aegis Afloat ===
{{Main|JMSDF Aegis Afloat}}

====Operational concept====
[[File:JMSDF Aegis destroyers BMD and Non-BMD operations, 23 December 2022.png|thumb|Examples of operations (JSDF image)]]
On 16 December 2022, the [[Japanese Cabinet]] approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略), the strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (NDS or 国家防衛戦略) document outlined Japan's defense policy goals and the means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (DBP or 防衛力整備計画) document outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to the Defense Buildup Program document, the JMSDF will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current 8 to 10 warships, as well as the introduction of two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By the end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with [[Aegis Combat System|Aegis Weapon System]] (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|destroyer escorts]] with {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|1}}s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 January 2023 |author= Yoshihiro Inaba |title=Japan To Increase The Number Of Aegis Destroyers |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/01/japan-to-increase-the-number-of-aegis-destroyers/ |website= NavalNews |access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/guideline/strategy/pdf/strategy_en.pdf |title=National Defense Strategy of Japan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 16, 2022 |website=Basis of Defense Policy |publisher=[[Japanese Ministry of Defense]] | page= 24 |access-date=2023-01-19 |quote=In English.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/guideline/plan/pdf/program_en.pdf |title=Defense Buildup Program (DBP) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 16 December 2022 |website=Basis of Defense Policy |publisher=[[Japanese Ministry of Defense]] | pages=8, 20–21, 53 (Appendix Table 2), 55 (Appendix Table 5) |access-date=2023-01-19 |quote=In English.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23733225/fy2023firstyearbudgetoverview99.pdf |title=Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Programs and Budget of Japan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= March 30, 2023 |website=USNI News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |page= 15 |access-date=2023-03-31 |quote=English language version; hereafter as MOD FY23 Budget Overview.}}</ref>

On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's 2023 budget and program guidance documented provided examples of operations (運用の一例) for the Aegis-equipped naval forces of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF).  The two ASEV warship would be exclusively tasked for dedicated ballistic missile defense (BDM) missions (BMD等) and operate off the Korean peninsula in the [[Sea of Japan]], allowing the other Aegis guided-missile destroyers to meet other contingencies (侵攻阻止) while operating independently to maintain the [[maritime domain awareness]] (MDA) and keep the [[sea lines of communication]] (SLOC) open in the [[East China Sea]] southwest of the Japanese home islands (''pictured'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/12/27/japanese-mod-releases-details-on-ballistic-missile-defense-ships#more-99887 |title=Japanese MoD Releases New Details on Ballistic Missile Defense Ships |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=December 27, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=January 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/first-rendering-of-japans-ballistic-missile-defense-ship-concept-released |title=First Rendering Of Japan's Ballistic Missile Defense Ship Concept Released |last=Emma |first=Helfrich |date=December 29, 2022 |website=The Drive |publisher= |access-date=January 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/yosan_gaiyo/2023/yosan_20221223.pdf |title=Defense Programs and Budget of Japan FY Reiwa 5 (2023) Budget Overview |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 23, 2022 |website=Budget overview |publisher=[[Japanese Ministry of Defense]] |page=15 |access-date=2023-01-09 |quote=In Japanese (防衛力整備計画).}}</ref>

====BMD exercises====
[[File:JS Chokai（DDG-176）, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE（CG-62）and ROKS SEJONG DAEWANG（DDG-991）during Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Exercise in the Sea of Japan.jpg|thumb|BMD maneuvers, October 2022)]]
On 6 October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the [[Sea of Japan]] (''pictured'')  as part of the military response to [[2021–2022 North Korean missile tests|ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/10/06/warships-from-u-s-japan-south-korea-ballistic-missile-defense-drills-after-north-korean-missile-shots#more-97916 |title=UPDATED: Warships from U.S., Japan, South Korea Ballistic Missile Defense Drills After North Korean Missile Shots |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=October 6, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=October 11, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/10/us-navy-jmsdf-and-rok-navy-conduct-bmd-exercise/ |title= US Navy, JMSDF And ROK Navy Conduct BMD Exercise |date=October 6, 2022 |website=NavalNews.com |publisher= |access-date=October 25, 2022 }}</ref> On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer {{JS|Maya|DDG-179|2}} fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. Two days later, the {{JS|Haguro|DDG-180|2}} fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the U.S. [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] on [[Kauai Island]], Hawaii, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]]. This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest {{sclass|Maya|destroyer|1}}s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |author= Benjamin Brimelow |title=Japan may build 2 huge warships to counter the growing missile threat from North Korea |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/japan-building-warships-to-counter-north-korean-missile-threat-2022-12|website= [[Business Insider]] |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/21/two-japanese-destroyers-score-in-ballistic-missile-defense-test-off-hawaii#more-99073 |title=Two Japanese Destroyers Score in Ballistic Missile Defense Test off Hawaii |last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |date=November 21, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=November 22, 2022 }}</ref>

On 22 February 2023, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the [[Sea of Japan]] in response to the launch of a North Korean [[Hwasong-15]] ballistic missile on 18 February 2023, landing in [[Exclusive economic zone of Japan|Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ)]] in the Sea of Japan, in an area 125 miles west of the island of [[Oshima (Hokkaido)|Ōshima]], which lies {{convert|30|mi|km}} west of the main island of [[Hokkaido]]. Two additional IBCBMs were subsequently launched on 20 February 2023, with both landing in the Sea of Japan off the east coast of the [[Korean Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/02/22/u-s-japan-south-korea-hold-ballistic-missile-defense-drills-after-north-korean-launches#more-101115 |title=U.S., Japan, South Korea Hold Ballistic Missile Defense Drills after North Korean Launches |last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |date=February 22, 2023 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> On 19 December 2023, United States, Japan, and South Korea announced the activation of a real-time North Korea missile warning system as well as jointly established a multi-year trilateral exercise plan in response to North Korea's continued ballistic missile launches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/12/19/u-s-japan-south-korea-establish-north-korean-missile-warning-system-trilateral-exercises |title=U.S., Japan, South Korea Establish North Korean Missile |last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |date=December 19, 2023 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=December 22, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2023/12/c74496d9056f871004eb2983fb03d626fcc2ff94.html |title=Japan-United States-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Joint Press Statement |last= |first= |date=December 19, 2023 |website=Press Release |publisher=[[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Japanese Ministry of Defense]] |access-date=December 24, 2023 }}</ref>

==Equipment==
[[File:Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force_ships.png|thumb|260x260px|A Maritime Self-Defense Force formation.]]

===Ships and submarines===
{{Main list|List of active Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships}}

The [[ship prefix]] '''JDS''' (Japanese Defense Ship) was used until 2008, at which time JMSDF ships started using the prefix '''JS''' (Japanese Ship) to reflect the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Ministry of Defense]]. The JMSDF operates two multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto [[aircraft carrier]]s), two [[helicopter carriers]] (''called'' ''[[helicopter destroyer]]s''), 36 [[destroyer]]s, six [[frigate]]s, six [[destroyer escort]]s, 23 [[attack submarine]]s, 19 [[mine countermeasure vessel]]s, six [[Patrol boat|patrol vessels]], three [[Landing Ship, Tank|landing ship tank]]s, seven training vessels, and a fleet of various [[auxiliary ship]]s. The fleet has a total displacement of approximately 624,000 tonnes, excluding auxiliary vessels.

===Aircraft===
{{Main|Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation}}

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations.

==Organization, formations and structure==
[[File:JMSDF MaizuruBase KitasuiQuay Springs with Cherry Blossoms.jpg|thumb|JMSDF destroyers and training ships docked at [[JMSDF Maizuru Naval Base|Maizuru Naval Base]]]]
[[File:MV-22B trying to land aboard JDS Shimokita.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22Bs]] landing on [[JS Shimokita|JS ''Shimokita'']]]]

The JMSDF is commanded by the Chief of the Maritime Staff. Its structure consists of the Maritime Staff Office, the Self Defense Fleet, five regional district commands, the air-training squadron and various support units, such as hospitals and schools. The Maritime Staff Office, located in Tokyo, serves the Chief of Staff in commanding and supervising the force.

The Self-Defense Fleet, headquartered at [[Yokosuka]], consists of the JMSDF's military shipping. It is composed of Fleet Escort Force, based in [[Yokosuka, Kanagawa|Yokosuka]], [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]], [[Maizuru, Kyoto|Maizuru]] and [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], the [[Fleet Air Force]] headquartered at [[Atsugi, Kanagawa|Atsugi]], the [[Fleet Submarine Force]] based at Yokosuka and Kure, the Mine Warfare Force based at Yokosuka and the Fleet Training Command at Yokosuka.<ref name=loc>{{cite book |first=Ronald |last=Dolan |author2=Robert Worden |title=Japan : A Country Study |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |url=https://archive.org/details/japancountrystud00dola |year=1992 |isbn=0-8444-0731-3 |chapter=8 | url-access=registration}} See section 2: "The Self Defense Forces"</ref>

In March 2018, [[Ryoko Azuma]] became the first female squadron commander in the JMSDF. Her unit includes the flagship ''Izumo'', the largest warship in the JMSDF. She commands four warships making up a division with a total of 1,000 crew members.<ref>{{cite web |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |title=Japan's navy appoints Ryoko Azuma first female commander of warship squadron {{!}} 06.03.2018 |url=http://www.dw.com/en/japans-navy-appoints-ryoko-azuma-first-female-commander-of-warship-squadron/a-42850612 |access-date=27 December 2019 |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213232/http://www.dw.com/en/japans-navy-appoints-ryoko-azuma-first-female-commander-of-warship-squadron/a-42850612 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Each Escort Flotilla is formed as a fleet of eight destroyers and eight on-board helicopters. Each force is composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH) acting as a command ship, two guided-missile destroyers (DDG) and five standard or ASW destroyers (DD). The JMSDF is planning to reorganize the respective Escort Flotillas into a DDH group and DDG group, enabling faster overseas deployments.

*'''[[Prime Minister of Japan]]'''
**'''[[Minister of Defense (Japan)|Minister of Defense]]'''
***'''JMSDF Chief of Staff / Maritime Staff Office'''
****'''[[Self Defense Fleet|Self-Defense Fleet]]'''
*****[[Fleet Escort Force]]
******Escort Flotilla 1 (Yokosuka)
*******Escort Squadron 1: [[Izumo-class helicopter destroyer|DDH-183 Izumo]]; [[Maya-class destroyer|DDG-179 Maya]]; [[JS Murasame|DD-101 Murasame]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-107 Ikazuchi]] (Yokosuka)
*******Escort Squadron 5: [[Kongō-class destroyer|DDG-173 Kongō]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-108 Akebono]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-109 Ariake]]; [[Akizuki-class destroyer (2010)|DD-115 Akizuki]] (Sasebo)
******Escort Flotilla 2 (Sasebo)
*******Escort Squadron 2: [[Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer|DDH-182 Ise]]; [[Atago-class destroyer|DDG-178 Ashigara]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-102 Harusame]]; [[Asahi-class destroyer|DD-119 Asahi]] (Sasebo)
*******Escort Squadron 6: [[Kongō-class destroyer|DDG-174 Kirishima]]; [[Takanami-class destroyer|DD-110 Takanami]]; [[Takanami-class destroyer|DD-111 Onami]]; [[Akizuki-class destroyer (2010)|DD-116 Teruzuki]] (Yokosuka)
******Escort Flotilla 3 (Maizuru)
*******Escort Squadron 3: [[Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer|DDH-181 Hyūga]]; [[Kongō-class destroyer|DDG-175 Myōkō]]; [[Atago-class destroyer|DDG-177 Atago]]; [[Akizuki-class destroyer (2010)|DD-118 Fuyuzuki]] (Maizuru)
*******Escort Squadron 7: [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-103 Yudachi]]; [[Takanami-class destroyer|DD-112 Makinami]]; [[Takanami-class destroyer|DD-114 Suzunami]]; [[Asahi-class destroyer|DD-120 Shiranui]] (Ominato)
******Escort Flotilla 4 (Kure)
*******Escort Squadron 4: [[Izumo-class helicopter destroyer|DDH-184 Kaga]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-105 Inazuma]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-106 Samidare]]; [[Takanami-class destroyer|DD-113 Sazanami]] (Kure)
*******Escort Squadron 8: [[Maya-class destroyer|DDG-180 Haguro]]; [[Kongō-class destroyer|DDG-176 Chōkai]]; [[Murasame-class destroyer (1994)|DD-104 Kirisame]]; [[Akizuki-class destroyer (2010)|DD-117 Suzutsuki]] (Sasebo)
******Naval District Forces:
*******11th Escort Squadron: [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-152 Yamagiri]]; [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-153 Yūgiri]]; [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-154 Amagiri]]; [[Mogami-class frigate|FFM-1 Mogami]]; [[Mogami-class frigate|FFM-2 Kumano]] (Yokosuka)
*******12th Escort Squadron: [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-158 Umigiri]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-229 Abukuma]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-234 Tone]] (Kure)
*******13th Escort Squadron: [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-157 Sawagiri]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-230 Jintsū]]; [[Mogami-class frigate|FFM-3 Noshiro]]; [[Mogami-class frigate|FFM-4 Mikuma]] (Sasebo)
*******14th Escort Squadron: [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-151 Asagiri]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-232 Sendai]];  [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-156 Setogiri]];  [[Asagiri-class destroyer|FFM-5 Yahagi]];  [[Asagiri-class destroyer|FFM-6 Agano]] (Maizuru)
*******15th Escort Squadron: [[Asagiri-class destroyer|DD-155 Hamagiri]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-231 Ōyodo]]; [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|DE-233 Chikuma]] (Ominato)
******1st Replenishment-at-Sea Squadron (Yokosuka): [[Towada-class replenishment ship|AOE-422 Towada]] (Kure); [[Towada-class replenishment ship|AOE-423 Tokiwa]] (Yokosuka); [[Towada-class replenishment ship|AOE-424 Hamana]] (Sasebo); AOE-425 Mashu (Mashu-class) (Maizuru); AOE-426 Omi (Mashu-class) (Sasebo)
******1st Training Support Squadron: [[JS Kurobe|ATS-4202 Kurobe]]; [[JS Tenryū|ATS-4203 Tenryu]]; (Kure)
******Fleet Training Command (Yokosuka)
*****[[Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Force]]
******Fleet Air Wing 1 ([[P-3C]] [[UH-60|UH-60J]])
******Fleet Air Wing 2 (P-3C UH-60J)
******[[Fleet Air Wing 4 (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Wing 4]] (P-3C UH-60J)
******Fleet Air Wing 5 (P-3C UH-60J)
******[[21st Fleet Air Squadron (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Wing 21]] ([[Mitsubishi SH-60J|SH-60J/K]])
******[[22nd Fleet Air Squadron (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Wing 22]] (SH-60J)
******Fleet Air Wing 31 ([[ShinMaywa US-1|US-1A]] [[ShinMaywa US-2|US-2]] [[Lockheed EP-3|EP-3]] [[P-3C|OP-3C UP-3D]] [[Beechcraft King Air|LC-90]] [[Learjet 35|U-36A]])
******[[Air Development Squadron 51 (JMSDF)|Fleet Squadron 51]] (P-1, P-3C UP-3C/D OP-3 SH-60J/K OH-6DA)
******[[Air Transport Squadron 61 (JMSDF)|Fleet Squadron 61]] ([[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130R]] LC-90)
******[[Mine Countermeasures Helicoptor Squadron 111 (JMSDF)|Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111]] ([[AgustaWestland AW101|MCH-101]])
*****[[Fleet Submarine Force]] (Yokosuka)
******Submarine Flotilla 1 (Kure)
*******Flotilla HQ: ASR-403 Chihaya
*******Submarine Squadron 1: [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-594 Isoshio]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-507 Jinryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-510 Shōryū]]; [[Taigei-class submarine|SS-514 Hakugei]]; [[Taigei-class submarine|SS-516 Raigei]]
*******Submarine Squadron 3: [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-504 Kenryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-511 Ōryū]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-596 Kuroshio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-600 Mochishio]]
*******Submarine Squadron 5: [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-501 Sōryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-502 Unryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-503 Hakuryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-508 Sekiryū]]
*******Kure Submarine Base Support Squadron
******Submarine Flotilla 2 (Yokosuka)
*******Flotilla HQ: ASR-404 Chiyoda
*******Submarine Squadron 2: [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-592 Uzushio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-595 Narushio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-597 Takashio]]
*******Submarine Squadron 4: [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-598 Yaeshio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SS-599 Setoshio]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-512 Tōryū]]; [[Taigei-class submarine|SS-515 Jingei]]
*******Submarine Squadron 6: [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-505 Zuiryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-506 Kokuryū]]; [[Sōryū-class submarine|SS-509 Seiryū]]
*******Yokosuka Submarine Base Support Squadron
******1st Submarine Training Squadron (Kure): [[Oyashio-class submarine|TSS-3609 Michishio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|TSS-3610 Makishio]]; [[Oyashio-class submarine|SSE-6201 Taigei]]
******Submarine Training Command (Kure)
*******Yokosuka Submarine Training Detachment
*****[[Mine Warfare Force (Japan)|Mine Warfare Force]] (Yokosuka)
******Minesweeper Squadron 1 (Yokosuka): [[JS Uraga|MST-463 Uraga]] ([[Uraga-class mine countermeasure vessel|Uraga class mine warfare command ship]]); MSO-304 Awaji (Awaji-class minesweeper); MSO-305 Hirado (Awaji-class minesweeper); MSC-606 Hatsushima (Enoshima-class minesweeper)
******Minesweeper Squadron 2 (Sasebo): MSC-601 Hirashima; MSC-602 Yakushima; MSC-603 Takashima (all three Hirashima-class minesweepers)
******Minesweeper Squadron 3 (Kure): [[JS Bungo|MST-464 Bungo]] (Uraga class mine warfare command ship); MSC-688 Aishima (Sugashima-class minesweeper); MSC-690 Miyajima (Sugashima-class minesweeper)
******Minesweeper Squadron 101 (Kure): MSC-679 Yugeshima; MSC-680 Nagashima (both Uwajima-class minesweeper command boats); 4 minesweeping drone boats (SAM 1 - 4)
******Landing Ship Squadron 1 (Kure): [[Ōsumi-class tank landing ship|LST-4001 ''Ōsumi'']]; [[Ōsumi-class tank landing ship|LST-4002 ''Shimokita'']]; [[Ōsumi-class tank landing ship|LST-4003 ''Kunisaki'']]
*******1st [[Landing Craft Air Cushion]] Unit (Kure): LCAC-2101 - 2106
******Mine Warfare Support Center (Yokosuka)
*******Mine Warfare Support Detachment Kure
*****[[Fleet Research and Development Command|Fleet Research & Development Command]]
*****[[Fleet Intelligence Command]]
*****Oceanographic and ASW Support Command
****'''Air Training Command'''
*****[[Shimofusa Air Base|Shimofusa]] Air Training Group (P-3C YS-11TA UH-60J)
*****[[Tokushima Airport|Tokushima]] Air Training Group ([[202nd Naval Air Training Squadron (JMSDF)|202nd Naval Air Training Squadron]]) ([[Beechcraft King Air|TC-90]]) (UC-90) (UH-60J)
*****[[Ozuki Air Field|Ozuki]] Air Training Group ([[Fuji T-5|T-5]] UH-60J)
****'''Maritime Material Command'''
*****Ship Supply Depot
*****Air Supply Depot
****Training Division (Kure)
*****Division HQ: [[JDS Kashima|TV-3508 Kashima]]
*****Training Squadron 1: [[JS Hatakaze (DDG-171)|TV-3520 Hatakaze]]; [[JS Shimakaze (DDG-172)|TV-3521 Shimakaze]]
****Communication Command
****Criminal Investigation Command
****Service Activity Tokyo
****Printing Supply Unit
****JMSDF Staff College
****Maritime Officer Candidate School
****1st Service School
****2nd Service School
****3rd Service School
****4th Service School
****[[Sub Area Activity Hanshin]]
****'''[[JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base|Yokosuka]] District'''
****'''[[JMSDF Kure Naval Base|Kure]] District'''
****'''[[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]] District'''
****'''[[JMSDF Maizuru Naval Base|Maizuru]] District'''
****'''[[JMSDF Ōminato Base|Ominato]] District'''

[[File:JMSDF major fleets en.JPG|thumb|right|JMSDF District Forces]]

===District Forces===
Five district units act in concert with the fleet to guard the waters of their jurisdictions and provide shore-based support. Each district is home to a major JMSDF base and its supporting personnel and staff. Each district is home to one or two regional escort squadrons, composed of two to three destroyers or destroyer escorts (DE). The destroyers tend to be of older classes, mainly former escort force ships. The destroyer escorts tend to be purpose built vessels. Each district has a number of minesweeping ships.

===Fleet Air Force===
{{main|Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)}}
The Fleet Air Force is tasked with patrol, ASW and rescue tasks. It is composed primarily of 7 aviation groups. Prominent bases are maintained at [[Kanoya Air Field|Kanoya]], [[JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base|Hachinohe]], [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi|Atsugi]], [[Naha Air Base|Naha]], [[Tateyama Air Field|Tateyama]], [[Ōmura, Nagasaki|Omura]] and [[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|Iwakuni]]. The Fleet Air Force is built up mainly with patrol aircraft such as the [[Lockheed P-3 Orion]], rescue aircraft such as the [[Shin Meiwa US-1A|US-1A]] and helicopters such as the [[Mitsubishi SH-60J|SH-60J]]. In the JMSDF, helicopters deployed to each escort force are actually members of Fleet Air Force squadrons based on land.

===Special Forces===
Special Forces units consist of the following:

*SBU ([[Special Boarding Unit]])
*MIT (Maritime Interception Team)

===Ranks===
{{Main|Ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces#Maritime Self-Defense Force}}

====Commissioned officer ranks====
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Japan}}
|}

====Other ranks====
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Japan}}
|}

==Culture and traditions==
{{Main|Gosei (meditation)}}

===Music and traditions===
The JMSDF has maintained some historic links with the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} Today's JMSDF continues to use the same martial songs, naval flags, signs, and technical terms as the IJN.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} The JMSDF still uses the Warship March, the old service march of the IJN, as its official service march.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} It also maintains the IJN [[bugle call]]s tradition, as every ship and shore establishment command maintain a platoon or squad of [[bugle]] players.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

===Flag and insignia===
The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] first adopted the [[wikt:offset|off-set]] naval ensign {{nihongo||十六条旭日旗|''Jyūrokujō-Kyokujitsu-ki''}} on May 15, 1870, and it was used until the end of World War II in 1945. On June 30, 1954, when the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces|JSDF]] was established, the JSDF and [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force|JGSDF]] adopted a different [[rising sun flag]] with 8-rays and an 8:9 ratio.<ref name = FS/><ref name="law.e-gov">{{cite web |url=http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S29/S29SE179.html |title=自衛隊法施行令|trans-title=Self-Defense Forces Law Enforcement Order |publisher=Government of Japan |language=ja |date=June 3, 1954 |access-date=January 25, 2008 |ref={{harvid|自衛隊法施行令}}|archive-date=April 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407050124/http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S29/S29SE179.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The old off-set navy flag with the sun and 16 rays was re-adopted as the ensign of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, but it was modified with a brighter red color. The original flag is darker red ([[RGB color model|RGB]] #b12d3d) while the post-WW2 version is brighter red (RGB #bd0029).<ref name = FS>{{cite web |url=http://flagspot.net/flags/jp%5E.html |title=Japanese military flags |work=Flags of the World |publisher=Flagspot |author=Phil Nelson |author2=various | access-date = 2021-10-16 | archive-date = 2016-03-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160311094423/https://flagspot.net/flags/jp%5E.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

===Food===
[[Curry]] was brought to Japan from [[British Raj|India]] by the [[Royal Navy]].<ref name="mod-curry"/> The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] adopted curry to prevent [[beriberi]].<ref name="mod-curry"/> The recipe of [[Japanese curry]] was gradually arranged in Japan by chefs.<ref name="jmod"/> It is also an excellent recipe, nutritious, easy to cook in mass quantity, and reportedly delicious.<ref name="jmod">{{cite web |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defense |website=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/ModJapan_en/status/1430455062321516546 |title=Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces |date=25 August 2021 |archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825113328/https://twitter.com/ModJapan_en/status/1430455062321516546 |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force continues this tradition with curry as the Friday menu.<ref name="mod-curry">[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/family/recipe/archive/currey.html Curry Recipe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127110050/https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/family/recipe/archive/currey.html |date=2019-01-27 }} Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Japanese curry was changed and adapted drastically to become a uniquely Japanese dish.<ref name="times-curry">{{Cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/08/26/food/curry-its-more-japanese-than-you-think/ |title=Curry — it's more 'Japanese' than you think |last=Itoh |first=Makiko |date=26 August 2011 |work=The Japan Times |access-date=31 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233344/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/08/26/food/curry-its-more-japanese-than-you-think/|archive-date=8 January 2018}}</ref>

===Ship names===
The ship prefix '''JDS''' (Japanese Defense Ship) was used until 2008, at which time JMSDF ships started using the prefix '''JS''' (Japanese Ship) to reflect the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to the Ministry of Defense.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Ships of the JMSDF, known as '''Japan Ships''' ({{lang|ja|自衛艦}}; Ji'ei-Kan), are classified according to the following criteria:

{|class=wikitable
|+ The naming convention of Japanese ships
|-
!colspan=2|Class!!rowspan=2|Type!!rowspan=2|Symbol!!rowspan=2|Building #!!rowspan=2|#!!rowspan=2|Naming
|-
!Major class!!Minor class
|-
! rowspan="16" |Combatant Ship!! rowspan="5" |Principle Surface
Combatants
|[[Frigate]]||FFM|| ||1-||Names of the rivers
|-
|[[Destroyer]]||DD||1601-||101-||rowspan=2|Names of natural phenomena in the heavens or the atmosphere, mountains, rivers or regions
|-
|[[Destroyer escort]]||DE||1201-||201-
|-
|Destroyer, Guided Missile
|DDG
|
|173-
| rowspan="2" |Names of places in Japan, such as mountains and provinces
|-
|Destroyer, Helicopter
|DDH
|
|141-
181-

|-
!Submarine
|[[Submarine]]||SS||8001-||501-||Names of natural phenomena in the ocean or maritime animals
|-
!rowspan=4|Mine Warfare Ship
|Minesweeper Ocean||MSO||201-||301-||rowspan=4|Names of islands, straits, channels or one that added a number to the type
|-
|Minesweeper Coast||MSC||301-||601-
|-
|Minesweeping Controller||MCL||-||721-
|-
|Minesweeper Tender||MST||462-||461-
|-
!rowspan=2|Patrol Combatant Craft
|Patrol Guided Missile Boat||PG||821-||821-||rowspan=2|Names of birds, grass or one that added a number to the type
|-
|[[Patrol Boat]]||PB||921-||901-
|-
!rowspan=4|Amphibious Ship
|[[Landing Ship, Tank]]||LST||4101-||4001-||rowspan=4|Names of peninsulas, capes or one that added a number to the type
|-
|[[Landing craft tank#Post-war|Landing Ship Utility]]||LSU||4171-||4171-
|-
|[[Landing Craft Utility]]||LCU||2001–||2001–
|-
|[[Landing Craft Air Cushioned]]||LCAC||-||2001–
|-
!rowspan=15|Auxiliary Ship!!rowspan=15|Auxiliary Ship
|[[Training Ship]]||TV||3501-||3501-||rowspan=15|Names of places of natural beauty and historic interest or one that added a number to the type or the model
|-
|Training Submarine||TSS||-||-
|-
|Training Support Ship||ATS||4201-||4201-
|-
|Multipurpose Support Ship||AMS||-||-
|-
|[[Oceanographic Research Ship]]||AGS||5101-||5101-
|-
|[[Ocean Surveillance Ship]]||AOS||5201-||5201-
|-
|[[Ice breaker]]||AGB||5001-||5001-
|-
|Cable Repairing Ship||ARC||1001-||481-
|-
|[[Submarine Rescue Ship]]||ASR||1101-||401-
|-
|Submarine Rescue Tender||AS||1111-||405-
|-
|Experimental Ship||ASE||6101-||6101-
|-
|[[Fast Combat Support Ship]]||AOE||4011-||421-
|-
|Service Utility Ship||ASU||-||7001-
|-
|Service Utility Craft||ASU||81-||61-
|-
|Service Yacht||ASY||91-||91-
|}

==Recruitment and training==
[[File:JMSDF crew.jpg|thumb|175px|Members of the crew of [[JS Kongō|JS ''Kongō'']]]]
[[File:JMSDF-Officer-Candidate-School-Former-Japanese-Naval-Academy.png|160px|left|thumb|The Officer Candidate School]]

JMSDF recruits receive three months of basic training followed by courses in patrol, gunnery, minesweeping, convoy operations, and maritime transportation. Flight students, all upper-secondary school graduates, enter a two-year course. Officer candidate schools offer six-month courses to qualified enlisted personnel and those who have completed flight school.

Graduates of four-year universities, the four-year [[National Defense Academy of Japan|National Defense Academy]], and particularly outstanding enlisted personnel undergo a one-year officer course at the [[Naval Academy Edashima|Officer Candidate School]] at [[Etajima, Hiroshima|Etajima]], site of the former Imperial Naval Academy. The JMSDF operates a staff college in Tokyo for senior officers.

The large volume of coastal commercial fishing and maritime traffic around Japan limits in-service sea training, especially in the relatively shallow waters required for mine laying, minesweeping, and submarine rescue practice. Training days are scheduled around slack fishing seasons in winter and summer—providing about ten days during the year.

The JMSDF maintains two oceangoing training ships and conducted annual long-distance on-the-job training for graduates of the one-year officer candidate school.<ref name="loc" />

==See also==
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order  ♦♦♦--->
*[[Japanese ship naming conventions]]
*[[Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Yokosuka, Japan]] – US Navy facility key to MSDF/USN operational coordination.
*[[Shipping Control Authority for the Japanese Merchant Marine]] – Post-WWII Occupation era organisation
*[[:Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] [''Category'']
*{{ship||Kaiwo Maru|1989}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Agawa, Naoyuki. ''Friendship across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force''. Tokyo: Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture, 2019. {{ISBN|978-4-86658-055-5}}
*Auer, James. ''The Postwar Rearmament of Japanese Maritime Forces, 1945–1971''. New York: Praeger, 1973. {{ISBN|0-275-28633-9}}
*Auer, James. "Japan's Changing Defense Policy," ''The New Pacific Security Environment''. Ralph A. Cossa, ed. Wash. D.C.: [[National Defense University (Washington, D.C.)|National Defense University]], 1993.
*''[[Jane's Intelligence Review]]'', February 1992.
*''[[Jane's Defence Weekly]]'' 17 August 1991
*[[Midford, Paul]]. "Japan's Response to Terror: Dispatching the SDF to the Arabian Sea," ''[[Asian Survey]]'', 43:2 (March/April 2003).
*Rubinstein, G.A. and J. O'Connell. "Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Forces," ''Naval Forces''. 11: 2 (1990).
*Sekino, Hideo. "Japan and Her Maritime Defense," [[USNI Proceedings|''U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings'']], (May 1971).
*Sekino, Hideo. "A Diagnosis of our Maritime Self-Defense Force," ''Sekai no Kansen'' (Ships of the World), November 1970.
*Takei, Tomohisa,[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/SSG/topics-column/images/c-030/c-030_eng.pdf "Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the New Maritime Era,"] ''Hatou'', 34: 4(November 2008).
*Tsukigi, Shinji, "External and Internal Factors Shaping The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)." Monterey, Cal.: [[Naval Postgraduate School]], June 1993. Master's thesis.
*Wile, Ted Shannon. Sealane Defense: An Emerging Role for the JMSDF?. Master's Thesis, [[Naval Postgraduate School]] (1981).
*{{cite journal |last1=Woolley |first1=Peter J |year=1996 |title=Japan's 1991 Minesweeping Decision: An Organizational Response |journal=[[Asian Survey]] |volume=36 |issue=8 |doi=10.2307/2645440 |pages=804–817 |jstor=2645440}}
*[[Peter J. Woolley|Woolley, Peter J]]. ''Japan's Navy: Politics and Paradox 1971–2000''. London: Lynne-Reinner: 2000. {{ISBN|1-55587-819-9}}
* Yamaguchi, Jiro. "The Gulf War and the Transformation of Japanese Constitutional Politics," ''[[Journal of Japanese Studies]]'', Vol. 18 (Winter 1992).
* Young, P. Lewis. "The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces: Major Surface Combatants Destroyers and Frigates," ''Asian Defense Journal'' (1985).

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official|https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/english/index.html }}
*{{YouTube|user=jmsdfmsopao|JMSDF}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081018200535/http://www.yokosukabase.com/ Yokosuka Naval Base Community Website JMSDF News]}}
*[http://www.yokosukabase.com/News/tabid/79/articleType/CategoryView/categoryId/14/JMSDF.aspx Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force News]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/SSG/topics-column/eng_col-030.html Introduction of a paper "JMSDF in the New Maritime Era"]

{{Japan Self-Defense Forces}}
{{Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force| ]]
[[Category:Naval history of Japan|*]]