Japan Self-Defense Forces

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (Japanese: 自衛隊, Hepburn: Jieitai; JSDF) are the military forces of Japan. The JSDF comprises the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. They are controlled by the Ministry of Defense with the prime minister as commander-in-chief.

The Japanese Constitution, which was adopted by the Supreme Command for the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan after World War II, stipulates that Japan will never maintain a military as well as other war potential. However, rising tensions during the Cold War led to the reinterpretation of the constitution to allow for the right to self-defense, eventually leading to the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954 that functions as the country's de facto military.

Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly into the 21st century, increased tensions with China, North Korea, and Russia have reignited debate over the status of the JSDF and their relationship to Japanese society. The JSDF have maintained a close alliance with the United States, and have prioritized greater cooperation and partnership with Australia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and NATO, as well as acquiring new equipment and hardware.

The JSDF is legally constrained by the Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces Japan's right to declare war or use military force in international disputes. Japanese law limits JSDF functions to self-defense, disaster response, and peacekeeping. There have been proposals to amend the constitution to formalize the status of the JSDF. The 2015 Legislation for Peace and Security amended the law to allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense to mobilize the JSDF to assist an allied country that has come under attack in an "existential crisis situation".