Japan’s Defence Ministry announced plans on Friday to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and improving troop conditions to address a severe recruitment shortfall, exacerbated by efforts to counter China’s expanding military influence.
The latest defence budget request, released on Friday, outlines these measures following the Self-Defense Forces’ (SDF) worst-ever annual recruitment drive. By the end of March 31, the SDF enrolled fewer than 10,000 sailors, soldiers, and air personnel—half of its target.
Amid rising concerns over China’s potential use of military force to bring Taiwan under its control—a move that could potentially draw Japan into conflict—Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in 2022 a plan to double Japan’s defense spending. The initiative aims to bolster the nation’s missile stockpile, acquire advanced fighter jets, and establish a cyber defense force.
However, Japan’s declining birth rate has made maintaining the current SDF troop level of 250,000 increasingly difficult. In the annual budget request, which proposes a 6.9% increase in defense spending to a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion), the Defence Ministry emphasized the need to adapt. “As we increase our defensive strength, we need to build an organization that is able to fight in new ways,” the ministry stated.
To address the shortage of recruits, the ministry plans to implement AI technology, allocating 18 billion yen for an AI surveillance system for military base security. Additionally, it will invest in unmanned drones and purchase three highly automated air defense warships, costing 314 billion yen, each requiring just 90 sailors—less than half the crew size of current ships.
To free up more troops for frontline assignments, the SDF intends to outsource certain training and support operations to former SDF members and civilian contractors. Recognizing the competition from companies offering better pay, the ministry is also planning to provide financial incentives and improve living conditions, such as enhancing sleeping quarters for more privacy and expanding access to social media.
A particular focus is being placed on attracting more women, who currently constitute less than 10% of the SDF. Efforts to increase their numbers have been hampered by a series of high-profile sexual harassment cases. To address this, the ministry seeks 16.4 billion yen to construct better accommodations for female personnel, including upgraded toilets and showers. Additionally, the ministry plans to hire external counselors to support female service members and strengthen harassment training programs.
