According to Kyodo News, on September 4th, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuyuki Kaeru held a press conference and denied the idea of recruiting foreigners into the Self-Defense Forces, considering Japan's declining population.
"I am not considering it. Since I have been a member of the Japanese nationality only is eligibility for service." Koizumi Jinjiro said.
He emphasized that ensuring the right talent is an important issue, but also pointed out that “what should be given priority is those who are already members of the Self-Defense Forces.”
Regarding measures to address staff shortages, he said that efforts will be made to improve benefits and adjust business operations.
On the morning of September 4th, Koizumi Jinjiro held a press conference inside the National Assembly. Kyodo News
The Sasaki Peace Foundation, a Japanese think tank, previously submitted a security policy proposal to Koichiro Koizumi. The proposal suggests that the Japan Self-Defense Forces consider recruiting foreigners to address staffing shortages caused by factors such as population decline. For example, in Australia, people with New Zealand, United States, or British citizenship can join the Australian military provided they meet certain conditions such as obtaining permanent residency. The Japan Self-Defense Forces should also “consider the possibility of recruiting foreigners”.
Japanese Self-Defense Forces members are classified as special-service national civil servants. According to Japanese law, to become a national civil servant in Japan, one must have Japanese citizenship.
However, the proposal also emphasizes that the Department of Defense's measures for recruiting foreigners should be limited to positions that do not involve combat activities. The nationality of the recruits should be limited to those from the United States or other allied countries. It is also discussed which levels of confidentiality foreign nationals who serve as members of the Defense Forces can have access to.
Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported in March this year that the Japan Self-Defense Forces have a personnel strength of 242,000, but the actual number is about 220,000. Over the past decade, the number of people applying to join the Self-Defense Forces has decreased by about 40%, and the actual number of recruits has decreased by about 30%. The Japanese government is trying to compensate for this shortage by improving the conditions for Self-Defense Force members.
