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 Force, 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).

Force Structure[edit | edit source]

Statistics[edit | edit source]

Active Duty Personnel: 55,000
Reserve Personnel: 34,600
Commander of the Navy: Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano
Active Vessels: 162
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[edit | edit source]

Fuji-class Aircraft Carrier (2, 1 UC) - 2020
- JS Fuji (CV-01)
- JS Tate (CV-02) - sea trials
- JS Haku (CV-03) - fitting out
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)
Nihonbare-class Utility Landing Craft (5 UC) - 202XX
- JS Nihonbare (LCU-4151) - fitting out
- JS Unnamed (LCU-4152) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (LCU-4153) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (LCU-4154) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (LCU-4155) - under construction
Medium Transport Vessel (2 UC) - 202X
- JS Unnamed - under construction
- JS Unnamed - under construction
Maneuver Support Vessel (4 planned) - 202X
- JS Unnamed - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed - planned for construction
Shimabara-class Amphibious Assault Ship (1 UC, 1 planned) - 202X
- JS Shimabara (LHD-4004) - under construction
- JS Tsugaru (LHD-4005) - planned for construction
Atsumi-class Landing Platform Dock (1 UC, 3 planned) - 202X
- JS Atsumi (LPD-4006) - under construction
- JS Takanawa (LPD-4007) - planned for construction
- JS Katsuren (LPD-4008) - planned for construction
- JS Shiretoko (LPD-4009) - planned for construction
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)
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 Maya (DDG-179)
- JS Haguro (DDG-180)
Yukinami-class Guided Missile Destroyer (2) - 2020
- JS Yukinami (DDG-181)
- JS Mirai (DDG-182)
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 (9) - 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)
- JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118)
Asahi-class Destroyer (2) - 2018
- JS Asahi (DD-119)
- JS Shiranui (DD-120)
Isokaze-class Destroyer (4 planned) - 2020
- JS Isokaze (DD-121)
- JS Yukikaze (DD-122)
- JS Tokitsukaze (DD-123)
- JS Amatsukaze (DD-124)
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)
Mogami-class Frigate (5, 3 UC, 4 planned) - 2022
- JS Mogami (FFM-01)
- JS Kumano (FFM-02)
- JS Noshiro (FFM-03)
- JS Mikuma (FFM-04)
- JS Yahagi (FFM-05) - sea trials
- JS Agano (FFM-06) - fitting out
- JS Niyodo (FFM-07) - fitting out
- JS Yubetsu (FFM-08) - fitting out
- JS Unnamed (FFM-09) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-10) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-11) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-12) - planned for construction
New FFM (12 planned) - 202X
- JS Unnamed (FFM-13) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-14) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-15) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-16) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-17) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-18) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-19) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-20) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-21) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-22) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-23) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (FFM-24) - planned for construction
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 (12) - 2009
- JS Souryuu (SS-501)
- JS Unryuu (SS-502)
- JS Hakuryuu (SS-503)
- JS Kenryuu (SS-504)
- JS Zuiryuu (SS-505)
- JS Kokuryu (SS-506)
- JS Jinyuu (SS-507)
- JS Sekiryuu (SS-508)
- JS Seiryuu (SS-509)
- JS Shouryuu (SS-510)
- JS Ooryuu (SS-511)
- JS Touryuu (SS-512)
Taigei-class Hunter-Killer Submarine (2, 4 UC, 6 planned) - 2022
- JS Taigei (SS-513)
- JS Hakugei (SS-514)
- JS Jingei (SS-515) - fitting out
- JS Raigei (SS-516) - fitting out
- JS Chougei (SS-517) - fitting out
- JS Unnamed (SS-518) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-519) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-520) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-521) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-522) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-523) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (SS-524) - planned for construction
Sagami-class Combat Support Ship (1) - 1979
- JS Sagami (AOE-421)
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)
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 (3) - 1991
- JS Hibiki (AOS-5201)
- JS Harima (AOS-5202)
- JS Aki (AOS-5203)
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)
Chihaya-class Submarine Rescue Ship (1) - 2000
- JS Chihaya (ASR-403)
Tenryu-class Training Support Ship (2) - 2000
- JS Tenryu (ATS-4203)
- JS Tatsuta (ATS-4204)
YDT-01-class Diving Support Vessel (6) - 2000
- JS YDT-01
- JS YDT-02
- JS YDT-03
- JS YDT-04
- JS YDT-05
- JS YDT-06
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)
Shounan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 2010
- JS Shounan (AGS-5106)
Muroto-class Cablelayer (1) - 2012
- JS Muroto (ARC-483)
Chiyoda-class Submarine Rescue Vessel (1 UC) - 2018
- JS Chiyoda (AS-404)
YOT-1-class Yard Oiler Tanker (2 UC) - 2022
- JS YOT-1 - fitting out
- JS YOT-2 - fitting out
Kussharo-class Replenishment Vessel (6 planned) - 20XX
- JS Kussharo (AOE-427) - planned for construction
- JS Suigetsu (AOE-428) - planned for construction
- JS Biwa (AOE-429) - planned for construction
- JS Hibara (AOE-430) - planned for construction
- JS Ikeda (AOE-431) - planned for construction
- JS Kasumigaura (AOE-432) - planned for construction
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)
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 (3, 2 UC, 4 planned) - 2017
- JS Awaji (MSO-604)
- JS Hirado (MSO-605)
- JS Etajima (MSO-606)
- JS Nomi (MSO-607) - fitting out
- JS Unnamed (MSO-608) - under construction
- JS Unnamed (MSO-609) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (MSO-610) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (MSO-611) - planned for construction
- JS Unnamed (MSO-612) - planned for construction
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)
Asagao-class Littoral Combat Ship (20 planned) - 202X
- JS Asagao (LCS-01) - planned for construction
- JS Kuretake (LCS-02) - planned for construction
- JS Fuyou (LCS-03) - planned for construction
- JS Sanae (LCS-04) - planned for construction
- JS Botan (LCS-05) - planned for construction
- JS Yuri (LCS-06) - planned for construction
- JS Wakatake (LCS-07) - planned for construction
- JS Ajisai (LCS-08) - planned for construction
- JS Omodaka (LCS-09) - planned for construction
- JS Sawarabi (LCS-10) - planned for construction
- JS Kakitsubata (LCS-11) - planned for construction
- JS Nadeshiko (LCS-12) - planned for construction
- JS Ayame (LCS-13) - planned for construction
- JS Tsutsuji (LCS-14) - planned for construction
- JS Kikyou (LCS-15) - planned for construction
- JS Yuugao (LCS-16) - planned for construction
- JS Karukaya (LCS-17) - planned for construction
- JS Bashou (LCS-18) - planned for construction
- JS Shion (LCS-19) - planned for construction
- JS Kaidou (LCS-20) - planned for construction

Aircraft of the JMSDF[edit | edit source]

Fixed Wing Aircraft[edit | edit source]

Fighters[edit | edit source]

Lockheed Martin F-16KJ Sea Viper x 0 - 60 on order (Attack Aircraft)
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II x 0 - 42 on order (Strike Fighter)
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II x 0 - 60 on order (Strike Fighter)

ELINT Aircraft[edit | edit source]

Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye x 0 - 18 on order (AWACS Aircraft)
Lockheed EP-3C Aries II x 4 (ELINT Aircraft)
Lockheed OP-3C x 6 (Optical Reconnaissance)

Maritime Patrol Aircraft[edit | edit source]

Kawasaki P-1 x 24 - 80 more on order (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
Lockheed P-3C Orion x 68 (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)

Transport/Utility Aircraft[edit | edit source]

Beechcraft LC-90 King Air x 6 (Liaison/Utility Aircraft)
Boeing MQ-25A Stingray x 18 (Carrier based Aerial Tanker)
Learjet U-36A x 4 (Utility Aircraft)
Lockheed KC-130R Hercules x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
NAMC YS-11 x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
ShinMaywa US-1 x 2 (Search and Rescue)
ShinMaywa US-2 x 6 (Search and Rescue)

Trainer Aircraft[edit | edit source]

Beechcraft TC-90 King Air x 28 (Trainer Aircraft)
Fuji T-5 x 36 (Trainer Aircraft)
Lockheed UP-3C x 2 (Equipment Testing Aircraft)
Lockheed UP-3D x 4 (Electronic Warfare Trainer)

Helicopters[edit | edit source]

AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin x 14 (Minesweeping/Transport Helicopter)
Eurocopter EC135 x 15 (Trainer Helicopter)
McDonnell-Douglas MD500 Defender 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[edit | edit source]

Ships[edit | edit source]

Japan will be continuing modifications to the Izumo-class light carriers to enable them to carry the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Both carriers are expected to have their modifications completed by 2027.
Japan will be building a pair of landing helicopter docks and a quartet of amphibious transport docks. The landing helicopter docks will have a length of 720 feet (219.46 meters), a beam of 124 feet (37.8 meters), a draft of 26 feet 3 inches (8 meters), a displacement of ~20,000 tons, a top speed of 24 knots (44.45 km/h). The amphibious transport docks will have a length of 689 feet (210 meters), a beam of 98 feet 5 inches (30 meters), a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 16,000 tons, and a top speed of 22 knots (40.74 km/h).
Japan will be building a trio of amphibious transport vessels based on the US Army's General Frank S. Besson-class support vessels.
Japan will be building a trio of mobile landing platforms based on the USN's Lewis B. Puller expeditionary mobile base and Montford Point-class expeditionary transfer dock. This class will be 787 feet 6 inches (240 meters) in length, 128 feet (39 meters) wide, have a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 21,000 tons, a speed of 15 knots (27.78 km/h), and a maximum complement of 240 people.
Japan will be building two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) with a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.
Japan will be building twelve 3,900 ton Mogami-class frigates and a further twelve of a new class of larger 4,880 ton frigates to replace the older Asagiri-class destroyers and Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.
Japan will be building at least seven 3,000 ton Taigei-class submarines to replace the older Harushio-class patrol submarines.
Japan is building a class of eight 6,800 ton nuclear powered fast attack submarines.
Japan will be building a new class of 14,500 tonne replenishment vessels to replace the aging Sagami and Towada-class combat support ships.
Japan will be building twelve new offshore patrol vessels to take over the patrol missions of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Hayabusa-class patrol boats.

Aircraft[edit | edit source]

The JMSDF will be purchasing the F-35B Lightning II for the Izumo-class light carriers and the F-35C for the larger Fuji-class carriers.
The JMSDF will be developing a new electronic warfare aircraft based on the Kawasaki P-1.

Weapons[edit | edit source]

Japan and the United States will be working together to develop the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
Japan will develop a new stealthy surface-to-ship/surface-to-surface precision guided missile with a planned service date of ~2030.