Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (海上自衛隊 Kaijō Jieitai?), or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II. The JMSDF has a large fleet and its main tasks are to maintain control of the nation's sea lanes and to patrol territorial waters. It has also stepped up its participation in UN-led peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOs).

Statistics

 * Active Duty Personnel: 55,000
 * Reserve Personnel: 34,600
 * Commander of the Navy: Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano
 * Active Vessels: 158
 * Number of Naval Bases: 8 (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kure, Maizuru, Okayama, Ominato, Sasebo, Yokosuka)
 * Number of Air Bases: 7 (Atsugai, Hachinohe, Iwakuni, Kanoya, Naha, Oomura, Tateyama)

Active Vessels

 * Yura-class Utility Landing Ship (2) - 1981
 * JS Yura (LSU-4171)
 * JS Maizuru (LSU-4172)
 * 1-Go-class Landing Craft (2) - 1988
 * JS Yusotei 1-Go (LCU-2001)
 * JS Yusotei 2-Go (LCU-2002)
 * Oosumi-class Tank Landing Ship (3) - 1998
 * JS Oosumi (LST-4001)
 * JS Shimokita (LST-4002)
 * JS Kunisaki (LST-4003)
 * LCAC-class Air Cushioned Landing Craft (6) - 1998
 * JS LCAC-01 (LCAC-2101)
 * JS LCAC-02 (LCAC-2102)
 * JS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2103)
 * JS LCAC-04 (LCAC-2104)
 * JS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2105)
 * JS LCAC-06 (LCAC-2106)
 * Hyuuga-class Helicopter Destroyer (2) - 2009
 * JS Hyuuga (DDH-181)
 * JS Ise (DDH-182)
 * Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer (2) - 2015
 * JS Izumo (DDH-183)
 * JS Kaga (DDH-184) - fitting out
 * Hatakaze-class Guided Missile Destroyer (2) - 1986
 * JS Hatakaze (DDG-171)
 * JS Shimakaze (DDG-172)
 * Kongou-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 1993
 * JS Kongou (DDG-173)
 * JS Kirishima (DDG-174)
 * JS Myoukou (DDG-175)
 * JS Choukai (DDG-176)
 * Atago-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 2007
 * JS Atago (DDG-177)
 * JS Ashigara (DDG-178)
 * JS Mirai (DDG-179)
 * JS Takao (DDG-180)
 * Asagiri-class Destroyer (8) - 1988
 * JS Asagiri (DD-151)
 * JS Yamagiri (DD-152)
 * JS Yuugiri (DD-153)
 * JS Amagiri (DD-154)
 * JS Hamagiri (DD-155)
 * JS Setogiri (DD-156)
 * JS Sawagiri (DD-157)
 * JS Umigiri (DD-158)
 * Murasame-class Destroyer (10) - 1996
 * JS Murasame (DD-101)
 * JS Harusame (DD-102)
 * JS Yudachi (DD-103)
 * JS Kirisame (DD-104)
 * JS Inazuma (DD-105)
 * JS Samidare (DD-106)
 * JS Ikazuchi (DD-107)
 * JS Akebono (DD-108)
 * JS Ariake (DD-109)
 * Takanami-class Destroyer (5) - 2003
 * JS Takanami (DD-110)
 * JS Onami (DD-111)
 * JS Makinami (DD-112)
 * JS Sazanami (DD-113)
 * JS Suzunami (DD-114)
 * Akizuki-class Destroyer (4) - 2012
 * JS Akizuki (DD-115)
 * JS Teruzuki (DD-116)
 * JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) - fitting out
 * JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118) - fitting out
 * Ishikari-class Destroyer Escort (1) - 1981
 * JS Ishikari (DE-226)
 * Yubari-class Destroyer Escort (2) - 1983
 * JS Yubari (DE-227)
 * JS Yubetsu (DE-228)
 * Abukuma-class Destroyer Escort (6) - 1989
 * JS Abukuma (DE-229)
 * JS Jintsu (DE-230)
 * JS Ooyodo (DE-231)
 * JS Sendai (DE-232)
 * JS Chikuma (DE-233)
 * JS Tone (DE-234)
 * Harushio-class Patrol Submarine (4) - 1990
 * JS Harushio (SS-583)
 * JS Natsushio (SS-584)
 * JS Arashio (SS-586)
 * JS Wakashio (SS-587)
 * Oyashio-class Submarine (11) - 1998
 * JS Oyashio (SS-590)
 * JS Michishio (SS-591)
 * JS Uzushio (SS-592)
 * JS Makishio (SS-593)
 * JS Isoshio (SS-594)
 * JS Narushio (SS-595)
 * JS Kuroshio (SS-596)
 * JS Takashio (SS-597)
 * JS Yaeshio (SS-598)
 * JS Setoshio (SS-599)
 * JS Mochishi (SS-600)
 * Souryuu-class Submarine (7, 4 UC) - 2009
 * JS Souryuu (SS-601)
 * JS Unryuu (SS-602)
 * JS Hakuryuu (SS-603)
 * JS Kenryuu (SS-604)
 * JS Zuiryuu (SS-605)
 * JS Kokuryu (SS-606)
 * JS Jinyuu (SS-507) - on sea trials
 * JS Sekiryuu (SS-508) - fitting out
 * JS Unnamed (SS-609) - under construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-610) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-611) - planned for construction
 * Sagami-class Combat Support Ship (1) - 1979
 * JS Sagami (AOE-521)
 * Futami-class Ocean Survey Vessel (2) - 1979
 * JS Futami (AGS-5102)
 * JS Wakata (AGS-5104)
 * Suma-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1982
 * JS Suma (AGS-5103)
 * Chiyoda-class Submarine Rescue Tender (1) - 1985
 * JS Chiyoda (AS-405)
 * Towada-class Combat Support Ship (3) - 1987
 * JS Towada (AOE-422)
 * JS Tokiwa (AOE-423)
 * JS Hamana (AOE-424)
 * Kurobe-class Training Support Ship (1) - 1989
 * JS Kurobe (ATS-4202)
 * Hibiki-class Ocean Surveillance Ship (2) - 1991
 * JS Hibiki (AOS-5201)
 * JS Harima (AOS-5202)
 * Asuka-class Experimental Testbed Vessel (1) - 1995
 * JS Asuka (ASE-6102)
 * Nichinan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1999
 * JS Nichinan (AGS-5105)
 * Hashidate-class Yacht (1) - 1999
 * JS Hashidate (ASY-91)
 * Tenryu-class Training Support Ship (1) - 2000
 * JS Tenryu (ATS-4203)
 * Chihaya-class Submarine Rescue Ship (1) - 2000
 * JS Chihaya (ASR-403)
 * Hiuchi-class Multirole Support Ship (5) - 2002
 * JS Hiuchi (AMS-4301)
 * JS Suo (AMS-4302)
 * JS Amakusa (AMS-4303)
 * JS Genkai (AMS-4304)
 * JS Enshu (AMS-4305)
 * Mashu-class Combat Support Ship (2) - 2004
 * JS Mashi (AOE-425)
 * JS Omi (AOE-426)
 * Shirase-class Icebreaker (1) - 2009
 * JS Shirase (AGB-5003)
 * Shonan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 2010
 * JS Shonan (AGS-5106)
 * ''Muroto-class Cablelayer (1) - 2012
 * JS ''Muroto (ARC-483)
 * Kashima-class Training Ship (4) - 1995
 * JS Kashima (TV-3508)
 * JS Kashii (TV-3509)
 * JS Katori (TV-3510)
 * JS Kashihara (TV-3511)
 * Shimayuki-class Training Vessel (3) - 1999
 * JS Shimayuki (TV-3513)
 * JS Shirayuki (TV-3517)
 * JS Setoyuki (TV-3518)
 * Asashio-class Training Submarine (3) - 2002
 * JS Asashio (TSS-3601)
 * JS Hayashio (TSS-3606)
 * JS Fuyushio (TSS-3607)
 * Niijima-class Minesweeper Controller (1) - 1981
 * JS Niijima (MCL-722)
 * Uwajima-class Minesweeper (6) - 1990
 * JS Uwajima (MSC-675)
 * JS Kumejima (MSC-676)
 * JS Makishima (MSC-677)
 * JS Tobishima (MSC-678)
 * JS Yugeshima (MSC-679)
 * JS Nagashima (MSC-680)
 * Ieshima-class Minesweeper Controller (2) - 1990
 * JS Ieshima (MCL-728)
 * JS Maejima (MCL-729)
 * Yaeyama-class Minesweeper (3) - 1993
 * JS Yaeyama (MSO-301)
 * JS Tsushima (MSO-302)
 * JS Hachijyo (MSO-303)
 * Uraga-class Minesweeper Tender (2) - 1997
 * JS Uraga (MST-463)
 * JS Bungo (MST-464)
 * Sugashima-class Minesweeper (12) - 1999
 * JS Sugashima (MSC-681)
 * JS Notojima (MSC-682)
 * JS Tsunoshima (MSC-683)
 * JS Naoshima (MSC-684)
 * JS Toyoshima (MSC-685)
 * JS Ukushima (MSC-686)
 * JS Izushima (MSC-687)
 * JS Aishima (MSC-688)
 * JS Aoshima (MSC-689)
 * JS Miyajima (MSC-690)
 * JS Shishijima (MSC-691)
 * JS Kuroshima (MSC-692)
 * Hirashima-class Minesweeper (3) - 2008
 * JS Hirashima (MSC-601)
 * JS Yakushima (MSC-602)
 * JS Takashima (MSC-602)
 * Enoshima-class Minesweeper (3) - 2011
 * JS Enoshima (MSC-604)
 * JS Chichijima (MSC-605)
 * JS Hatsushima (MSC-606)
 * Awaji-class Minesweeper (1, 2 UC) -
 * JS Awaji (MSO-604)
 * JS Unnamed (MSO-605)
 * JS Unnamed (MSO-606)
 * Hayabusa-class Guided Missile Patrol Boat (6) - 2002
 * JS Hayabusa (PG-824)
 * JS Wakataka (PG-285)
 * JS Otaka (PG-286)
 * JS Kumataka (PG-287)
 * JS Umitaka (PG-288)
 * JS Shiritaka (PG-289)

Aircraft of the JMSDF

 * Fixed Wing Aircraft
 * Kawasaki P-1 x 2 (Maritime Patrol) - more on order
 * Lockheed P-3 Orion x 93 (Maritime Patrol)
 * Lockheed KC-130R Hercules x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
 * NAMC YS-11 x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
 * Learjet 35 x 4 (Utility Aircraft)
 * Beechcraft King Air x 32 (Utility Aircraft/Liaison/Trainer)
 * Fuji T-5 x 50 (Trainer)
 * Shin Meiwa PS-1 x 15 (Anti-Submarine Warfare) - reserve
 * ShinMaywa US-1 x 2 (Search and Rescue)
 * ShinMaywa US-2 x 5 (Search and Rescue)
 * Helicopters
 * AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin x 14 (Minesweeping/Transport Helicopter)
 * Eurocopter EC.135 x 15 (Trainer Helicopter)
 * MD Helicopters MD500 x 9 (Trainer Helicopter)
 * Mitsubishi SH-60J Seahawk x 100 (Maritime Helicopter)
 * Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion x 10 (Minesweeping Helicopter)


 * Sikorsky UH-60J Black Hawk x 20 Search and Rescue)

Future Acquisitions

 * DDR Destroyer Revolution: A 5,400 tonne Light Escort Destroyer project, also referred to as 'the next generation escort ship'. Program in existence since 2009, current plans are to start construction on the first of class by 2021 at the latest. Full scale R&D activities scheduled from 2011 onwards.
 * 25DD-class Destroyer: New 5,000-ton destroyer program revealed in the MoD's FY2013 budget request. Seemingly an ASW optimised development of the Akizuki class likely intended for Sea lines of communication duties rather than the escort of Ageis destroyers as in the case of the Akizuki. Planned to cost even less to operate and maintain than the already low cost Akizuki class, partly through the use of COGLAG [Combined Gas turbine Electric And Gas turbine] propulsion. ¥72.3 billion has been requested for the construction of the first unit in the class.
 * The JMSDF plans to build 2-4 new AEGIS equipped guided missile destroyers with the first pair entering service in 2018.
 * Also in late 2013, it was being reported that a new high speed small destroyer (frigate) class was to be procured. Full displacement would be in the 3,000-ton range. No other details such as development history were immediately available, though it was implied that the vessels would optimized for Anti-surface warfare. Peacetime roles would be primarily outer island warning and surveillance. In accordance with current MSDF/MOD practice, these vessels would likely be referred to as escort ships despite their actual role/s.
 * The Japanese government were also reported to be considering the procurement of a LCS (corvette) type vessel at this time.
 * In 2014, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera expressed the intention of buying one amphibious assault ship from the United States to provide more amphibious capabilities than the current Osumi class landing ships. The Wasp class amphibious assault ship is most likely candidate for acquisition.
 * In August 2015, a new subclass of the Atago-class, dubbed the 27DD Destroyer, was announced. With an empty displacement of 8,200 tons and utilising COGLAG propulsion, the new class is intended to be equipped with both a laser based point defense system (developed by the Technical Research & Development Institute) and provision to be fitted with a naval railgun also currently under development by Japan. The first two ships of the new class are expected to enter service in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
 * 27CV-clas Aircraft Carrier: The Japanese government is currently reviewing the possibility of constructing a trio of aircraft carriers for the JMSDF. Full scale R&D activities have been taking place since 2009.
 * 26SSN-class Nuclear Submarine: A class of 6,800 ton nuclear powered fast attack submarine is being considered for development and eventual construction by the Japanese government.