Japan Self-Defense Forces enhancing salaries, housing to boost recruitment

Felix Kim

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are undertaking sweeping reforms to address recruitment challenges while bolstering effectiveness. Announced in December 2024, the initiative includes salary increases and enhanced allowances, upgraded housing, and expanded post-retirement support.

The reforms come at a critical juncture as the JSDF faces mounting responsibilities amid regional tensions and growing domestic needs. Recent years have seen expanded surveillance operations against threats from North Korea, the People’s Republic of China and Russia, as well as frequent missions at home such as disaster relief and disease control, according to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.

With the JSDF operating at about 90% of its authorized personnel strength, the measures aim to attract recruits while ensuring current personnel remain motivated and secure. Maintaining sufficient troop strength is a government priority, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in late December.

Among the reforms outlined by Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, the monthly starting salary for a JSDF cadet will jump about 21%, taking the annual salary for a recruit just out of high school to more than $22,000. Additionally, more than 30 allowances have been introduced for responsibilities such as air traffic control and field training.

Tokyo also has committed to upgrading barracks to include private rooms, as well as expanding Wi-Fi access in shared areas and on major vessels, Nakatani said. Enhanced child care and the development of dedicated spaces for women in the JSDF will promote a more inclusive environment and “help personnel balance work and child care.”

Under the new policy, the retirement age will increase from 56 to 58 and reemployment support will expand, according to Nakatani. The Defense Ministry is also streamlining the process for JSDF personnel to obtain certifications and licenses in specialized roles.

“Such skills and knowledge could be put to use in fields such as logistics and aviation,” Nakatani said, noting that initiatives are underway to connect retired JSDF personnel with those opportunities.

The new measures will be evaluated annually. “We will verify and follow up on the measures included in the basic guidelines and will comprehensively and continuously plan and propose measures to be taken by taking a bird’s-eye view of the entire life cycle of [JSDF] personnel,” Nakatani said.

Felix Kim is a FORUM contributor reporting from Seoul, South Korea.