Japan Air Self-Defense Force

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (航空自衛隊, Kōkū Jieitai), JASDF (空自, Kūji), also referred to as the Japanese Air Force,[2] is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warfare.[3] The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining a network of ground and air early-warning radar systems. The branch also has an aerobatic team known as Blue Impulse and has provided air transport in UN peacekeeping missions.

"Japanese Air Force" redirects here. For other uses, see Japanese Air Force (disambiguation).

Japan Air Self-Defense Force
  • 航空自衛隊
  • Kōkū Jieitai
Emblem of the Air Self-Defense Force
Founded1 July 1954 (1954-07-01)[1]
Country Japan
TypeAir force
Role
Size
  • 49,913 personnel (2018)[1]
  • 745 aircraft
Part ofJapan Self-Defense Forces
HeadquartersIchigaya, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Motto(s)"Key to Defense, Ready Anytime!"
Websitewww.mod.go.jp/asdf/
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefPrime Minister Fumio Kishida
Minister of DefenseMinoru Kihara
Chief of the Joint StaffGeneral Yoshihide Yoshida
Chief of the Air StaffGeneral Shunji Izutsu
Insignia
Roundel
Flag
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		E-767, EC-1, E-2C/D, YS-11EA/EB
FighterF-15J/DJ, F-2A/B, F-35A/B
HelicopterUH-60J, CH-47J (LR)
TrainerT-3, T-7, T-400, T-4
TransportC-1, C-2, C-130H, Hawker 800, Gulfstream IV, Boeing 777
TankerKC-767, KC-130

The JASDF had an estimated 49,913 personnel as of 2018, and as of 2020 operates about 740 aircraft, approximately 330 of them being fighter aircraft.[4]

As of 2020, the JASDF is under increasing pressure to intercept warplanes from China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) close to entering its air space. As of the last fiscal year ending in March 2020, the JASDF scrambled aircraft a record 947 times to intercept PLAAF warplanes. This has resulted in heavy wear and tear on their F-15J fighter aircraft,[5] due to this, as of 2021, the JASDF no longer intercepts most PLAAF warplane approaches and has deployed F-35 fighter jets to supplement the F-15J fighter jets in this role.[6][7]

The service was planned to be renamed in 2027 to the Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force (航空宇宙自衛隊, Kōkū Uchū Jieitai), in recognition of the increasing importance of the space domain.[8]

History
See also: Military history of Japan
A JASDF Lockheed T-33 trainer

Japan did not have a separate air force before and during World War II. Aviation operations were carried out by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (Kōkūtai). Following defeat in World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy (including their respective Air Services) were disbanded in 1945.

Under the supervision of the United States occupation authorities, a pacifist Japanese government was appointed in place of the militaristic governments that administered the Empire of Japan during the war. The new government drafted a postwar constitution. While the primary intent of this endeavor was to place the country's political structure on a firmly democratic footing, the constitution endorsed by the United States and ratified by the Diet of Japan in 1947 also contained Article 9 which strictly prohibited Japan from having a regular military.

The U.S. occupation formally ended in 1952, although large American garrison remained in Japan to defend the country. The victory of the Chinese Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War and the onset of the Korean War led the Americans to reconsider what role the Japanese could be expected to play in, at the very least, defending their own home islands against growing Chinese, Soviet and North Korean power in the region. Under U.S. guidance, on 1 July 1954 the National Security Board was reorganized as the Defense Agency, and the National Security Force was reorganized afterwards as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (de facto post-war Japanese Army), the Coastal Safety Force was reorganized as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (de facto post-war Japanese Navy) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (de facto post-war Japanese Air Force) was established as a new branch of JSDF. General Keizō Hayashi was appointed as the first Chairman of Joint Staff Council—professional head of the three branches. The enabling legislation for this was the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act (Act No. 165 of 1954).[9][10]

The Far East Air Force, U.S. Air Force, announced on 6 January 1955, that 85 aircraft would be turned over to the fledgling Japanese air force on about 15 January, the first equipment of the new force.[11]

The JASDF Air Defense Command (Japan) Headquarters was relocated from Fuchu Air Base to Yokota Air Base on March 26, 2012. The relocation is due to the 2002 Defense Policy Review Initiative. The purpose is to strengthen the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance. The ADC Headquarters does command and control operations to defend Japanese airspace.

Until 2015, women were banned from becoming fighter jet and reconnaissance aircraft pilots. The first female pilot of an F-15 joined the ranks, along with three other female pilots currently in training, in 2018.[12]

Since 2008, the number of scrambles to intercept Chinese aircraft has increased rapidly. In 2010 there were scrambles against 31 Chinese aircraft and 193 Russian aircraft. In 2018 scrambles increased to against 638 Chinese aircraft and 343 Russian aircraft. Chinese aircraft flight paths are mostly in the East China Sea, around the Ryukyu islands and through the Korea Strait. Russia frequently conducts flights orbiting Japan with military aircraft.[13]

The Ministry of Defense reported in fiscal 2018 that there were 999 scrambles by JASDF jets against mainly Chinese and Russian unidentified aircraft. That is the second highest amount of scrambles by the JASDF since 1958. 638 (64%) were Chinese aircraft and 343 (34%) were Russian aircraft. On June 20, 2019, two Russian bombers (Tupolev Tu-95) violated Japanese airspace twice on the same day.[14]

The Diet of Japan approved the modification of the ships of the Izumo-class to operate STOVL aircraft and in 2019 ordered 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs.[15] The US Marines will operate their own STOVL F-35s from the Izumo-class in cooperation with the ship's crew to build up a Japanese capability to operate this type. The current plan is for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate the STOVL F-35B from land bases once delivered.[16]

On 17 March 2021, the Mitsubishi F-4EJ Phantom II was retired after 50 years of service with the JASDF, being replaced by the F-35A.[17]

During the 9 months of fiscal year 2021, JASDF fighters scrambled against 785 inbound flights.[18] Chinese aircraft were intercepted 571 times (70%), and 199 Russian aircraft.[18] The majority of the Chinese aircraft flew over Okinawa prefecture.[18]

On 22 October 2023, the JASDF conducted its first-ever trilateral exercise with the South Korean and United States air forces near the Korean Peninsula.[19]

Organization
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command Headquarters (2012)

Major units of the JASDF are the Air Defense Command, Air Support Command, Air Training Command, Air Development and Test Command, and Air Materiel Command. The Air Support Command is responsible for direct support of operational forces in rescue, transportation, control, weather monitoring and inspection. The Air Training Command is responsible for basic flying and technical training. The Air Development and Test Command, in addition to overseeing equipment research and development, is also responsible for research and development in such areas as flight medicine. On May 19, 2020, the JASDF officially inaugurated its Space Operation Squadron.[20]

F-15DJ Eagle

The Air Defense Command has northern, central, and western regional headquarters located at Misawa, Iruma, and Kasuga, respectively and the Southwestern Composite Air Division based at Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. All four regional headquarters control surface-to-air missile units of both the JASDF and the JGSDF located in their respective areas.

Ranks
Main article: Ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Japan Air Self-Defense Force[21]
幕僚長たる空将
Bakuryōchō-taru-kūshō		 空将
Kūshō		 空将補
Kūshō-ho		 1等空佐
Ittō kūsa		 2等空佐
Nitō kūsa		 3等空佐
Santō kūsa		 1等空尉
Ittō kūi		 2等空尉
Nitō kūi		 3等空尉
Santō kūi		 准空尉
Jun kūi

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Japan Air Self-Defense Force[21]
空曹長
Kūsōchō		 1等空曹
Ittō kūsō		 2等空曹
Nitō kūsō		 3等空曹
Santō kūsō		 空士長
Kūshichō		 1等空士
Ittō kūshi		 2等空士
Nitō kūshi		 自衛官候補生
Jieikan kōhosei

Equipment
See also: List of military aircraft of Japan

The JASDF maintains an integrated network of radar installations and air defense direction centers throughout the country known as the Basic Air Defense Ground Environment. In the late 1980s, the system was modernized and augmented with E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. The nation relies on fighter-interceptor aircraft and surface-to-air missiles to intercept hostile aircraft. Both of these systems were improved from the beginning of the late 1980s. Outmoded aircraft were replaced in the early 1990s with more sophisticated models, and Nike-J missiles have been replaced with the modern Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 system and M167 VADS.[22][23] The JASDF also provides air support for ground and sea operations of the JGSDF and the JMSDF and air defense for bases of all the forces. Base defenses were upgraded in the late 1980s with new surface-to-air missiles, modern antiaircraft artillery and new fixed and mobile aircraft shelters.

Aircraft
A JASDF F-35
An E-2C Hawkeye landing at Misawa Air Base
A CH-47J from Iruma Air Base
A Kawasaki T-4
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
F-15 Eagle United States air superiority F-15J 155[24] licensed produced by Mitsubishi
conversion trainer F-15DJ 45[24]
Mitsubishi F-2 Japan multirole F-2A 62[24] based on the Lockheed Martin F-16
conversion trainer F-2B 25[24]
F-35 Lightning II United States multirole F-35A/B 34 123 on order[24]
AWACS
Boeing E-767 United States AEW&C 4[24]
E-2 Hawkeye United States AEW&C E-2C/D 17 9 on order[24]
Reconnaissance
Kawasaki C-2 Japan reconnaissance RC-2 1[24]
Electronic Warfare
Kawasaki C-1 Japan electronic warfare EC-1 1[24]
NAMC YS-11 Japan electronic warfare 4[24]
Tanker
Boeing KC-767 United States aerial refueling / transport 4[24]
KC-46 Pegasus United States aerial refueling / transport KC-46A 2[24][25] 4 on order[26]
Lockheed Martin KC-130 United States aerial refueling KC-130H 2[24]
Transport
Boeing 777 United States VIP transport 777-300ER 2[27] call sign Japanese Air Force One
Hawker 800 United Kingdom SAR / transport U-125A 26[24]
Kawasaki C-1 Japan transport 11[24]
Kawasaki C-2 Japan transport 11 9 on order[24]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130H 14[24]
Gulfstream IV United States flight inspection 5[24][28]
British Aerospace 125 United Kingdom flight inspection 2[29]
Cessna Citation Latitude United States utility / flight inspection 2[30] 1 on order
Helicopters
CH-47 Chinook United States transport / utility CH-47J 17[24] licensed built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries
UH-60 Black Hawk United States utility / SAR[28] UH-60J 54 1 on order[24] - licensed built by Mitsubishi
Trainer Aircraft
Fuji T-3 Japan light trainer 49[24]
Hawker 400 United States jet trainer T-1 Jayhawk 13[24]
Kawasaki T-4 Japan jet trainer 200[24]
UAV
RQ-4 Global Hawk United States surveillance RQ-4B 1 2 on order[31]

Culture and traditions

JASDF Flag

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force flag was first adopted in 1955 after the JASDF was created in 1954. It is based on a cap badge made in 1954. The flag is cobalt blue with a gold winged eagle on top of a combined star, the moon, the Hinomaru sun disc and clouds.[32] The latest version of the JASDF flag was re-adopted on 19 March 2001.[33] The JASDF flag is different from the JSDF flag and the JGSDF flag. It is determined by a directive regarding the flags of the JSDF.

Food

The dish of the JASDF is deep-fried chicken karaage,[34] such as Okinawan-style deep-fried chicken.[34] The JASDF tried to increase its popularity by promoting its fried chicken recipe since 2018.[34] There were competitions between the JMSDF's popular curry.[34]

See also

References
  1. "What is JASDF?｜ORGANIZATION ｜ [JASDF] Japan Air Self-Defense Force". www.mod.go.jp. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  2. Gao, Charlie (19 February 2018). "Japan's Air Force: The Best in Asia?". Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  3. "Mission". JASDF. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  4. "World Air Forces 2014". FlighGlobal. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013.
  5. Lendon, Brad; Wakatsuki, Yoko (29 July 2020). "Japan's air force faces a 'relentless' burden, imposed by China". CNN. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  6. Axe, David (2 April 2021). "Japan is About to Waste Its F-35s Shadowing Chinese Planes". Forbes. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  7. "Japan scrambling jets less against China as more F-35 deployment eyed". Kyodo News. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  8. Robson, Seth; Kusumoto, Hana (11 October 2023). "Japan is renaming its air force as threats from above become more 'complex'". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  9. Takei, Tomohisa (2008). "Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the New Maritime Era" (PDF). Hatou. 34: 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2018.
  10. 武居智久 (2008). 海洋新時代における海上自衛隊 [Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the New Maritime Era] (PDF). 波涛 (in Japanese). 波涛編集委員会. 34: 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2018.
  11. "Jap Air Force Will Get 85 U. S. Planes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Associated Press. 28 (137): 2. 7 January 1955.
  12. "First Japanese woman to fly fighter jet". BBC News. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  13. "Airspace Surrounding Japan". Japan Ministry of Defense. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  14. "Russian bombers violated Japan's airspace twice in one day, defense ministry says". Stars and Stripes. 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  15. Lendon, Brad; Wakatsuki, Yoko (18 December 2018). "Japan to have first aircraft carriers since World War II". CNN. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  16. Vavasseur, Xavier (21 August 2019). "USMC to Fly First F-35B from Japan's Izumo-class Aircraft Carriers". Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  17. Cenciotti, David (17 March 2021). "Japan's Last Three F-4EJ Phantoms Have Just Flown For The Last Time". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  18. "Exhausting Japanese Air Force, Chinese, Russian Incursions Forced Tokyo To Scramble Its Fighters Over 700 Times In 9 Months". 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022.
  19. "US, ROK, Japan hold first joint aerial drill despite North Korean warnings". NK News. 23 October 2023.
  20. "Japan sets up its first 'Space Operations Squadron'". Jane's. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  21. "自衛官の階級" [Self-Defense Forces rank]. mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Japanese Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  22. "主要装備 ペトリオット". mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  23. @jasdf_hyakuri (18 March 2019). "皆さんこんにちは！本日はVADSの空包射撃訓練の模様をお伝えします。VADSとは、Vulcan Air Defense Systemの頭文字を取った呼び方です。VADSは射手と分隊長の2人1組で射撃を行います。眼差しから、訓練への真剣さが伝わってきます！" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 February 2022 – via Twitter.
  24. "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  25. Brown, Nicholas P. (1 November 2021). "Boeing delivers first KC-46A refueling tanker to Japan". Reuters. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  26. "Japan Orders Two More Boeing KC-46A Tankers".
  27. "Japan's New Air Force One". AirForces Monthly. Key Publishing. June 2019. p. 24.
  28. "U-4" (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  29. "U-125". Japan Air Self Defense Force (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  30. "Textron delivers first two U-680As to JASDF". Key Aero. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  31. Zaffar, Hanan (18 March 2022). "Japan Receives First of Three RQ-4B Global Hawks From US". The Defense Post. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  32. "自衛隊の旗に関する訓令" [Instructions on the flag of the Self-Defense Forces]. Defense Agency Instruction No. 3 of 1972 (PDF) (in Japanese). Japanese Defense Agency.
  33. "Air Self Defense Force (Japan)". www.crwflags.com. CRW Flags. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  34. "ASDF hopes its fried chicken can outgun popular curry of MSDF". Asahi. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021.
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