Japan’s Defense Ministry Sets 13% Target for Female SDF Personnel by FY35

The Yomiuri Shimbun

2:00 JST, April 7, 2026

The Defense Ministry has set a goal of raising the proportion of female Self-Defense Forces personnel — currently at 9% — to at least 13% by fiscal 2035.

The aim is to reach a level on par with the average among North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries.

The ministry will also work to create a better workplace environment by promoting work-life balance and strengthening child-rearing support.

According to the Defense Ministry, there were 20,046 female Self-Defense Forces personnel as of the end of fiscal 2024, accounting for 9.1% of the total.

While this proportion has risen from the 5.7% recorded at the end of fiscal 2014, 10 years prior, it remains low compared to many other developed nations.

The average for the 26 NATO member countries in 2024 was 13.9%.

To help achieve the target, the Defense Ministry will expand mid-career hiring and increase opportunities for female personnel who have previously retired to return to service.

The drive to increase the proportion of female personnel stems from the growing necessity for activities that leverage a female perspective, in areas such as supporting disaster victims at evacuation centers during disaster relief operations.

An overall shortage of recruits is also a contributing factor.

The sufficiency rate — the ratio of actual personnel to the authorized capacity (247,154) — was 89.1% as of the end of fiscal 2024, falling below 90% for the first time since fiscal 1999.

The Defense Ministry hopes that by actively promoting the recruitment of women, it can increase the number of applicants.

It is also publicizing its efforts to improve the salaries and living conditions of personnel.

The Self-Defense Forces began assigning women to some combat units and other positions in 1993 and have gradually expanded possible assignments to include escort vessels, fighter jets and submarines.

Restrictions on assigning women to the Ground Self-Defense Force’s chemical units — which had been in place for many years from the perspective of “maternal protection” — were lifted on the grounds of improved equipment safety in July last year. This makes it possible for women to be assigned to any unit among the three branches of the Self-Defense Forces.

In addition to opening up assignments, the forces are expanding childcare support measures, such as establishing systems to care for children of personnel called in for emergency duty at garrisons and bases.

“Diversifying our workforce — including expanding the recruitment of women — is essential to build an innovative organization,” said a senior Defense Ministry official.