About JSDF

I would like to introduce JSDF before I write about JASDF.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces,or JSDF, are the unified military forces of Japan.
They were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan.

After World War II , Japan had only occupation forces and a minor domestic police force on which to rely for security. As Cold War tensions rised in Europe and Asia, Japan need stronger security. Encouraged by the American occupation authorities, the Japanese government in July 1950 authorized the establishment of a National Police Reserve, consisting of 75,000 men equipped with light infantry weapons.

As Japan perceived a growing external threat without adequate forces to counter it, the National Safety Forces underwent further development that entailed difficult political problems.  In 1954, separate land, sea, and air forces for purely defensive purposes were created, subject to the command of the Prime Minister.

To avoid the appearance of a revival of militarism, Japan's leaders emphasized constitutional guarantees of civilian control of the government and armed forces and used nonmilitary terms for the organization and functions of the forces. At first, tanks were called "special vehicles". The forces' administrative department was granted only an agency status, rather than a full-fledged ministry status. The armed forces were designated the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), and the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF), instead of the army, navy, and air force. In theory, these are not armed forces, but merely extensions of the Police Force.

Next time, I would like to write about the organization of JASDF.