Japanese Self Defense Forces

"In all of Asia, probably the most feared "military' force is the Japanese Self Defense Forces (SDR)."

- Pacific Rim Sourcebook The Japanese Armed Forces often called the Japanese Self Defense Force (SDF), is a fictional offensive army in the Cyberpunk series. That patrols the Pacific Rim and acts as a deterrent from outside invasion.

History
"Sometimes, I feel eveything's a VR illusion. That tank I bew up was computer-controlled, and the nudie I stomped was one of the computer created mobs. I'm not sure if I've ever left the Shinjuku VRcades. What is reality these days?"

- Kōichi Ishikawa, SDF ACPA Trooper

In the 1990s Japan abolished the pacifist clause (article 9) of the 1947 constitution which was enacted by the United States during their military occupation of Japan following the Emporers' surrender during World War II. This allowed the Japanese Government to update its military with new tactical offensive capabilities including new: armaments, vehicles, and personnel, this force would come to be known as the Japanese Self Defense Force or (SDF).

Consequently, the US withdrew most of its military assets within Japan and most other nations inhabiting the Pacific Rim believing them to be secure for the time being. Many Chinese and Korean officials criticized the SDF as a resurgence of Japanese imperialist sentiments as their nations had been subjugated by the Empire of Japan in the past, they had also witnessed Japans corporate conquest of both Taiwan and Hong Kong, many saw this as Japan furthering its end-goal of economic supremacy as the SDF could offer a lot of opportunities for power projection, possibly ensuring that Japanese commercial interests take precedence throughout all of the Pacific Rim. As such the operations undertaken by the SDF throughout the Pacific Rim were met with disdain via locals and regional authorities, this has prompted the SDF to limit operations throughout the Pacific Rim. The annual budget given to the SDF was 70 Billion Eb, this made it the third-highest military budget in the entire world. The Japanese government maintains that the SDF was formed as a deterrent from potential invasions by a nation or coalition outside of the Pacific Rim, in particular, those with modernized militarizes and or large military budgets.

Many people in Asia still have bad memories of World War II, when Japan brutally took over most of the Rim. China and Korea watch the SDF especially close, and protest every time the SDF twitches, even if its sending Peace Keeping Forces (PKF) to protect innocent people.

What strikes many gaijin as odd was the way the SDF officers "underestimate" themselves. Most of them freely admitted that the SDF is next to useless. This underscores what Ryu Masaki back at SOF always said, that they are the "Paper Tiger" of the Rim.It's believed that it was just disinformation to placate nervous neighbors. Arasaka is also a major Japanese army, and they kick major ass. However prehaps they have a point when discussing the ineffectiveness of the SDF.

The SDF suffers from two major problems. First their equipment is too high-tech, and their techs can't repair their vehicles (ACPA, Tanks, and AI Drones) themselves; they have to call in corporate repairmen. Their soldiers are loaded down with gear that is so advanced that the men can't operate it. Secondly, exceptional officers quit the SDF ASAP to get lucrative respectable jobs with Arasaka or other security Corps. With these hobbles, it's no wonder the SDF doesn't want to engage in actual combat.

Organization
"Wow! These seats are like riding on clouds! The air-conditioning works well, the TV gets great reception...Auto-medkit, drink-vendor, 2 weeks of delicious rations (unlike the kibble they give us)! I wish my apartment was so well furnished..."

- Lt. Culliford, US Army, test-driving a Type 15 MBT at the GSDF Fuji Training Grounds

The Japanese Self Defense Forces are split into three branches: Ground SDF (GSDF), Maritime SDF (MSDF), and AeroSpace SDF (ASDF). Aside from the ASDF, it is pretty much the same as it was 30 years ago. Even though Japan accepted the right to wage war and have an army with revoking of their Article 9, its budget is still restricted to only 3% of their GNP. They still call it the SDF instead of the Japanese Army. It's all semantics, but they follow it like a religion.

The PM has supreme command, and directly orders the Director-General of the National Defense Ministry and the Joint Staff Council. In wartime (if they ever get to it! the Chair of the JSC takes control, but usually he is limited to forming and coordinating the defense planning.

As previously mentioned before, the SDF is always short of people. Enlistments are voluntary, and they accept men and women between 18 and 25. People who resign are transferred into the reserves, and have once a month training duty. There's no penalty for skipping, so most do. However, since Arasaka scoops up many ex SDF, if a war should happen, and the reserves (who are all off on Security Corp business) are summoned.

Gear is similar to the American military, but made in Japan. When the Americans pulled out of Asia, much SDF equipment became useless because they had bought it from the US Army and now they didn't have parts, and the blackbox systems were incompatible. With the suspension of Article 9, they re-outfitted with Japanese- made equipment from Arasaka, Tsunami Arms, and Towa. The quality is excellent but expensive as hell. Most of it will cost twice as much as American or Euro gear.

SDF soldiers are offered minor cyberware, such as Processors, IPs, GunLinks, and Chip Sockets for free. When openings occur, there are always volunteers for full-body conversion. But because of Japan's extreme narcotics laws, combat drugs are right out.

GSDF
The GSDF is divided into 12 infantry divisions and one Armored division, which are split up into five regional armies. They have 150,000 personnel (they are only authorized up to 250,000) as of 2020. Numbers are: 1,200 Tanks, 500 APC/IFV, 800 Hovers, 5,000 ACPAs, 200 Combat Fullborgs, 200 ACPA/Armor Transports, 300 Helicopters, 600 AVs, and 100 planes (Fighters and Bombers). Fully 15% of the GSDF are ACPA Troopers. They have SegAtari working on the cyber-vehicle links and VRIs to make MGTs one-man effective. A GSDF Armor squad will have 10 ACPA, one APC, three one-man MBT tanks, one MBT with extra sensors for the Leader, and one support aircraft. By 2030, they had planned to have half the of the GSDF divisions converted to Armor.

MSDF
The MSDF is the Self Defense Fleet (divided into five district units) and 10 Maritime Safety Divisions (formerly the Maritime Safety Agency; Coast Guard). With their advanced equipment, MSDF are probably the best antisub fleet around. They have 43,000 out of an allowed 55,000 personnel (90 underwater Fullborgs), and have 70 Destroyers, 120 Patrol ships, 12 Transports, 6 Missile Cruisers, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 20 Subs, 200 Anti-sub/ship Attack Aircraft and Copters, 400 Hovers, 200 AVs, 500 Undwater ACPAs and 50 Minijet Fighters.

Their subs are supposedly non-nuclear powerd, but have same poweer output. An MSDF officer claimed they developed a hydro-generator and high-storage batteries for their subs. When asked if this news of this fantastic development would be announced, there was no comment.

ASDF
The ASDF has 4 Air Divisions and an Aerospace Division. Mainly, they identify and intercept unknown aircaft breaching Japanese airspace. They have 45,000 out of an allowed 56,000 personnel (60 of whom are fullborg pilots), and are equipped with 540 Jet/Minijet fighters and Bombers, 100 AVs, 50 Air Transports, and 36 Deltas. The ASDF also has 38 radar sites which scan their airspace. ASDF is well known for their quick-scramble abilities.

The Joint Staff Council oversee the whole SDF, and this is the only place that operates at full capacity, All staff are sergeant- ranked or higher, and most have graduated from the National Defense Academy. The JSC has 160 personnel which support the generals, handle supply and salary logistics, and basically run the show.

My overall impression is that the SDF is hying to over- come a shortage in bodies and training with high-tech gear and one-man tanks, like ACPA and the new cybernetic-con- trot vehicles. That's why ex-SDF officers tend to look down on the 'Forces, while the neighbors shake in fear. The Koreans, Chinese, and Flips think that the massive numbers of Tanks, Tin Suits and Borgs are in preparation for an over- whelming attack, and the ex-officers know better. In fact, if it came down to it, I doubt they could adequately defend Japan without corporate help.