Government and Liberal Democratic Party feel crisis over manpower shortage to accelerate improvement in treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel

In anticipation of the revision of three security-related documents scheduled for the end of the year, the government and Liberal Democratic Party will accelerate discussions on improving the treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel. The shortage of skilled workers is becoming more serious due to the declining birthrate. If we cannot secure enough personnel, we will not be able to strengthen our defense capabilities, creating a sense of crisis. The plan is to review the salary system, provide post-retirement support, and clearly state the country's stance in the three documents.

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At a press conference on the 16th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized, ``As the recruitment environment becomes increasingly difficult, in order to continue to choose the career of SDF personnel, it is important to improve the treatment of current personnel and create an environment where retired personnel and their families can live out their lives with pride.'' The company has indicated its policy of working towards concrete implementation.

According to the Ministry of Defense, as of the end of March 2026, there are 217,701 Self-Defense Forces personnel. The number of applicants is 247,154, and the sufficiency rate remains at 88.1%. The ministry estimates that if things continue as they are, the number will drop to 180,000 in fiscal 2035 and 130,000 in fiscal 2045. A senior Ground Self-Defense Force official said, ``The burden on each individual is increasing, which will weaken the organization.''

The Self-Defense Forces has adopted a young retirement age system in order to maintain a strong force, with many members reaching retirement age in their mid-50s. This is also said to be one of the reasons why recruitment is difficult.

The government will review the salary scale, which serves as the basis for salaries, in line with the uniqueness of the Self-Defense Forces personnel's duties and work environment. At the initiative of Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the plan is to establish a new ``Retired Self-Defense Forces Personnel and Family Support Agency'' (tentative name) in fiscal 2027 to support reemployment. Mr. Koizumi expressed his recognition that ``this is an issue that the government should tackle together.''

On the 13th, volunteer members of the Liberal Democratic Party held the inaugural general meeting of the ``Leader of Parliamentarians to Realize Strengthening the Human Resources of the Self-Defense Forces.'' Former Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera, who took over as chairman, said, ``The most important thing in the Self-Defense Forces is people,'' and expressed his intention to focus particularly on support after retirement. We will make recommendations to the government, including raising the retirement age, and aim to reflect them in the three documents.

However, it is unclear whether these measures will immediately lead to securing personnel. A senior Defense Ministry official said, ``We have no choice but to somehow improve our capabilities by reducing manpower and increasing efficiency, such as by using unmanned aerial vehicles.''