Japanese Naval Capability Upgrade Initiatives

摘要

In order to increase its power projection capabilities and enhance its maritime position in the region - not only vis-a-vis China - Tokyo has been methodically modernising its fleet, known as the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). According to Japan's 2018 Defence White Paper, the JMSDF has 42,289 personnel, while the whole military - Japan Self-Defence Forces or JSDF - has a total of 226,789. JMSDF's share in the defence budget is 23.1 %, by comparison with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) at 37.1% and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) with 23.6%. Tokyo, outlining its threat perception, points to "various issues and destabilising factors, some of which are becoming increasingly tangible, acute and serious," the most important of which are maritime territorial disputes, mainly with the People's Republic of China i (PRC), over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.