The Defense Ministry in Japan fell short of its recruitment target for the Self-Defense Forces in fiscal 2023, with only 51% of the goal being met. This marked the lowest level of recruitment ever, with a significant drop from the previous year. Despite aiming to recruit 19,598 personnel, only 9,959 were hired across the Ground, Maritime, and Air SDFs.
Both general personnel under a permanent job contract and fixed-term contract personnel saw record-low recruitment rates. The decline is attributed to the country’s low birthrate and recent harassment cases within the SDF.
To address the recruitment challenge, a panel led by State Minister of Defense Makoto Oniki has been formed. The panel aims to develop measures to improve SDF hiring, including attracting administrative officials and utilizing AI for labor-saving operations.
The Defense Ministry plans to request funds for these measures in the fiscal 2025 budget. Oniki emphasized the need for prompt action to address the ongoing recruitment challenges in the coming years.