21세기 일본의 인구 감소와 자위대 인원 확보 문제

초록

This article examines how population decline and the transition to a shrinking society in 21st-century Japan have affected personnel acquisition in the Japan Self-Defense Forces(JSDF). It further analyzes the perceptions and policy responses of the Ministry of Defense and Cabinet, as well as the various issues surrounding these responses. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Japanese public has expressed unprecedentedly high levels of favorable attitudes toward the JSDF. However, they have remained somewhat reluctant when it comes to those close to them applying for service as JSDF personnel. In practice, the JSDF is currently experiencing a range of challenges, including failure to meet authorized personnel levels, a decline in the number of applicants, and reduced recruitment competition ratios. The Ministry of Defense and Cabinets have recognized the challenges associated with JSDF personnel acquisition at an early stage and have sought to implement a wide range of measures, such as expanding recruitment pools, improving compensation, living conditions, and work environments, extending the retirement age and providing post-retirement employment support, securing reserve JSDF personnel, and utilizing emerging technologies. Despite these efforts, the JSDF has faced a significant decline in its recruitment achievement rate for non-commissioned officers(曹) and enlisted personnel(士) since the 2020s. Furthermore, this has generated new issues, including the aging of the JSDF personnel and debates surrounding “economic conscription” or constitutional revision. As such, the challenge of personnel acquisition in the JSDF is rooted in Japan’s declining birthrate, population aging, and demographic decline, and remains difficult to resolve. In this regard, it carries significant implications for South Korea, which, unlike Japan, relies on a conscription system yet faces similar challenges.

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