Copyright (c) 2001 by Edward Lipsett

1.0 Introduction

The Japanese armed forces (Japanese Defense Forces) are broken into the Japanese Imperial Defense Force (IDF) in charge of the home islands; the Colonial Defense Force (CDF) for external colonies; and the Space Defense Force (SDF). After the debacle of the Miyazaki Incident, the Army was incorporated into the Marines, making it possible to politically deny that Japan had any land "army" for further combat on the territory of other nations. The Navy and Marines, on the other hand, were billed as being specifically designed for the defense of Japan. Within the Marine organization there are a number of units which would normally be in Army. In addition, while Pilipinas does not have a Navy, it does have a large, well-trained and well-equipped Army which serves, for all intents and purposes, as the Japanese Army.

All services use both male and female personnel, although certain branches tend to be primarily of one sex or the other. Pay is not high, certainly, but the educational and other benefits offered lead the majority of military personnel to go career. The term of enlistment is six years.

For a variety of reasons, the Japanese military are still officially the "Japanese Defense Force," or JDF. Organizationally and in terms of weapons systems, the JDF is clearly oriented toward defense. Needless to say, other nations on the Pacific Rim find this reassuring, and it makes it much easier for them to work together in times of need, such as when responding to natural disasters or increased pirate activity.

As a result of the restructuring, however, a number of formerly Army organizations have been reduced considerably in manpower and capabilities, reflecting the modern Japanese belief that Japanese troops are very unlikely to be involved in land warfare other than raids, police actions and similar relatively small-scale conflict. General infantry troop levels are quite low, but Japan does possess a core of highly-trained, well-armed land forces for small-scale missions.

2.0 Japan Defense Force (JDF)

2.1 Chain of command

At every level, there is a single commander responsible for issuing commands. Within his regular support staff, which varies with his particular command and situation, he is supported by a tactician, who provides specialized tactical advice (with expert system assistance) based on information available, a situation manager who is continuously aware of the state of all personnel and equipment in the unit, and a logistics officer who is in charge of keeping everybody supplied on time. There may be any number of other personnel or facilities assigned to the headquarters unit in addition. While C4I2 (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Information) is critical at every level, it is implemented in different ways depending on the capabilities, organization, scale and mission of each particular unit.

2.2 Table of ranks

The ranks are identical for both Navy and Space Force, and when expressed in their English equivalents are quite similar to those of other nations. The command structure itself, however, is considerably different.

Navy/Space Force		Marines
English	Japanese	English	Japanese
Fleet Admiral	Gensui	General	Gensui
Admiral	Taishou	Major general	Taishou
Commodore	Shoushou	Colonel	Taisa
Captain	Taisa	Major	Chuusa
Lieu. Commander	Shousa	Captain	Shousa
Lieutenant	Taii	Lieutenant	Taii
1st Lieutenant	Chuui	1st Lieutenant	Chuui
2nd Lieutenant	Shoui	2nd Lieutenant	Shoui
Warrant Officer	Jun'i	Warrant Officer	Jun'i
Sergeant Major	Souchou	Sergeant Major	Souchou
Staff Sergeant	Gunsou	Staff Sergeant	Gunsou
Corporal	Gochou	Corporal	Gochou
Private	Ittouhei	Private	Ittouhei
Recruit	Nitouhei	Recruit	Nitouhei

3.0 JDF branches

Each unit falls into one of the following categories. (maybe rewrite to break down into infantry/mechInf, CW, and armor for the first three)

• Infantry: Infantry have a very demanding role, including the capture of enemy positions, the elimination of enemy forces, patrolling of territory, and providing security to Japanese installations. Infantry is considered to be the most demanding of all services within the military as a whole and infantry personnel are expected to have an outstanding level of physical fitness. Determined to meet any challenge head on, infantry personnel possess a single-mindedness, and a do-or-die approach to their job. Infantry forces are always provided with organic transport, which may be by truck (in internal regions); mechanized (APC); or airborne (helicopters, VTOL). Note that in spite of the name, the infantry also provides security for naval vessels and facilities, and is a combination of traditional "soldier" and "sailor" roles in military forces with clearly-defined Army and Navy branches. The majority of these troops are in the PDF, not Japan.
• Mechanized Infantry: Combat walkers are found on the modern battlefield, and Japanese technology in this sector is recognized as perhaps the finest in the world. While combat walkers certainly have their strengths in specific tactical situations, though, they also have their weaknesses. Mechanized infantry has traditionally relied on rapid mobility to and on the battlefield, and in addition to their conventional AFV they also handle several combat walker varieties. While infantry provides massive force for pressuring enemy concentrations and holding terrain, mechanized infantry is used for rapid strikes and deployments.
• Armor: The line between armor and infantry has blurred in recent times with the introduction of walkers, butｪ@armor remains the key to any offensive military operation requiring the application of massive amounts of firepower. This firepower may be provided through a number of different weapon systems, including tanks, tubes and heavy walkers. Anti-aircraft vehicles are generally included in armor. Both the IDF and PDF possess considerable armor forces.
• Engineers: Engineers are a specialized group of soldiers performing under similar conditions to infantry. Engineers are tasked with providing mobility to friendly forces, denying mobility to enemy forces, providing general engineering support, and acting as infantry when required. To that end engineer units are equipped with all standard infantry equipment as well as special equipment for carry out their additional duties. Each engineering unit has several types of construction equipment attached to it, as well as personnel skilled in demolition, bridge-building and construction of various types (for example, barracks, bunkers, docks and airfields). While they serve in a support role and are not actually a combat force, engineers are one of the few corps actually respected by the infantry.
• Artillery: Artillery units provide heavy firepower to saturate enemy formations or positions, whether the objective is to destroy the enemy, soften up a defensive position in preparation for assault by ground forces, or merely prevent enemy movement. All artillery is mobile, either self-propelled or provided with a dedicated transport vehicle. Artillery includes both conventional artillery and missiles.
• Aviation: Aviation provides an important service to Naval operations, providing reconnaissance, projecting force beyond the range of artillery, and by denying threat forces the use of heavy equipment. Aviation is also responsible for denying enemy air forces the opportunity to strike at friendly equipment and personnel.
• Signals: Communications officers are vital on the modern battlefield, providing a link between ground forces and the headquarters elements. Signals engineers are assigned to every unit within the Army, ensuring that all forces have a dedicated staff that can provide communications as required to any part of a tactical operation. Communications personnel are trained in the operation of a variety of secure communications under adverse conditions. Signals is often combined with electronic warfare and intelligence in smaller units.
• Electronic warfare: Electronic warfare utilizes a range of passive and active systems for several tasks in the battlefield, including protecting friendly forces from detection, interfering with the communications of enemy forces, and spreading disinformation. Often combined with signals and intelligence in smaller units.
• Intelligence: Intelligence provides the commanding officers of the unit with the information (tactical, geographical, meteorological, geological, etc.) needed to make accurate military evaluations and decisions. Often combined with signals and electronic warfare in smaller units.
• Special Forces: Special forces personnel conduct the missions that are too hard for regular soldiers, especially high-risk operations such as hostage retrieval, reconnaissance, and deep penetration strikes including destruction of enemy port and harbor facilities. Special forces are frequently deployed behind enemy lines and conduct surveillance of potential threats. They often work in conjunction with other intelligence forces on this.
• Administrative and support units: Administrative elements are attached to every unit in the Navy and are responsible for the effective maintenance and support of all units. Administrative personnel fulfill important roles, and without this non-combat support modern tactical operations would be impossible.
• Naval combatant: In addition to surface fleet combat, includes such tasks as shore bombardment, interdiction of unknown vessels and mine-laying, to name a few. With advanced power plants made possible through the introduction of advanced technologies, Japan has accelerated its submarine capabilities to include a wide range of offensive and defensive platforms, including craft capable of attacking sea surface or even inland targets from underwater, and craft designed to surface before entering action. Found almost exclusively in the IDF, while PDF forces are limited to coastal patrol and similar vessels.
• Logistics Command: When at sea, the Navy must carry all of its needs with it, and that means massive supplies of fuel, foodstuffs, and (as required) weaponry. The Logistics Command is responsible for assuring that each Navy unit receives what it needs when it needs it, whether on land or at sea, and also for the transport of goods. Logistics is also responsible for the effective maintenance and support of all units, and manages all equipment repair facilities, although field repair centers are usually organic to specific field groups.

4.0 Navy fleets and home bases

There are three Navy Fleets, each with a different home port:

• Pacific Fleet (Konpekitai): Headquartered in Guam, this fleet is responsible for the majority of the Pacific Ocean claimed by Japan. Its principle tasks are extended detection and forward defense, protection of merchant vessels, and interdiction of smuggling and other unauthorized vessels. This is the "blue water" navy, and has the majority of the capital ships.
• Home Fleet (Kyokujitsutai): Headquartered in Tokyo, this fleet is responsible for policing the waters around the Japanese home islands. With the Pacific Fleet operating to the east, its primary focus in on the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, and the East China Sea. Its principle tasks are interdiction of smuggling and other unauthorized vessels, and defense against potential threat from the Asian mainland. Most of the ships in the Home Fleet are medium-sized, in an attempt to find a good compromise between speed and firepower. This is potentially the most dangerous zone in the Japanese defensive strategy, as the Sea of Japan is relatively narrow and can be easily bridged by aircraft or even hovercraft. While no such conflict is likely, Japanese defensive strategists are extremely unhappy about their potential exposure here. The Home Fleet also contains the majority of the Navy's amphibious assault craft.
• Pilipinas Fleet (Nanyotai): Headquartered in Quezon City, this fleet is tasked with the defense of the Philippines and merchant shipping in the region. It works closely with Pilipinas air and Indonesian air and naval assets to police the area, and frequently utilizes the Indonesia naval facilities on the Nicobar Islands, as well as in Singapore and George Town. Almost all the ships in the Pilipinas Fleet are small, light and agile, designed for fast, relatively light combat in and around the Philippines and neighboring islands.

5.0 Other JDF organizations

• Naval Surface Training Command. Located in Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan
• Naval Submarine Training Command. Located in Hiroshima, Honshu, Japan
• Aviation Training Command. Located in Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
• Weaponry Test Center. Located in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
• Strategy Command. Located in Kyoto. R&D into grand strategy, strategy and tactics; theory and application of new weapons systems; threat assessment.
• Procurement Command. Located in Tokyo. Responsible for planning, R&D, testing, and acquisition of weapons systems and materiel. Naval vessels are constructed primarily at three ports: Hiroshima, Yokkaichi and Nagasaki
• Yamamoto Isoroku Naval Academy. Located in Okinawa. The training academy for all Navy officers. Students may enter after high-school graduation, by passing a battery of tests and evaluations. Enlisted personnel may also request transfer to the Academy, or be transferred here under orders.
• Douglas MacArthur Combined Arms Training Facility (the "hot school"). Located in Kumamoto, Kyushu. Advanced training tactical theory and practice. Units are rotated through this facility regularly from all branches for combat-readiness training and to hone combat skills, as well as acquire new weapons systems and techniques.
• Ryuzoji Kenshiro Combined Arms Training Facility (the "cold school"). Located in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Essentially the same as the training facility in Kumamoto, except that it specializes in cold-weather training. Named after the commander of the Japanese forces in Saudi Arabia during the Saudi War.
• Advanced Operations Training Academy. Core facilities located in Sendai, Honshu, Japan, but also uses other training camps located throughout Japan and Pilipinas. Advanced training under a variety of conditions for special operations personnel. Extensive use by intelligence services as well.
• Walker Development Center. Located in Nagano, Honshu, Japan.

6.0 Space Force (SDF)

7.0 Colonial Defense Force (CDF)

8.0 Other military organizations

• Lion Guard (Imperial Bodyguard): Outstanding personnel may be transferred from any service to the Lion Guard, but always at the request of the Lion Guard. Recommendations are accepted from any other branch, including the PDF, but final personnel decisions are always made by the Lion Guard. In addition to being some of the best-trained, most highly-skilled, experienced and intelligent combat personnel in the Empire, this group is also selected for fierce personal loyalty to the Emperor and his family. The Lion Guard functions on ceremonial occasions, of course, but also operates its own Mechanized Infantry and Armor groups. Detailed assets are unknown but suspected to be considerable. Located in northern Mie Prefecture, near Kyoto. There are three elements, one on station, one in reserve and one in training. The training element often plays aggressor for other units.
• Military Intelligence Command (nickname: kurotokage): Intelligence collection and evaluation; development of intelligence-collection assets; black ops. Located in Kyoto. Exists directly under the Chiefs of Staff.
• Medical Services Command: Medical services are responsible for treating the ill and wounded, and ensuring that any loss of life in violent confrontations is kept to a minimum. This job is not limited by the side or allegiance of a patient, and medical teams are frequently called in to assist in disasters, and in peace-keeping operations. Medical units will have pilots assigned to assist in the transport of sick and wounded personnel. Medical personnel are assigned to every unit in Japanese forces, and function entirely as normal unit members. It is common for Medical Services Command personnel to complete basic training with a combat unit first, be transferred to MSC for additional medical training, and then be returned to their original unit "on loan" from MSC. The MSC organization trains and supports medical personnel, and facilitates their activities. The organization, which spans all military forces, also operates medical facilities for military personnel, which provide medical services to military personnel from all branches, and their dependents. Located in Tokyo.

9. Home Island Militia

The Home Island Militia is broken into a number of organizational units with different functions, but the fundamental purpose of all of them is the defense of the homeland in times of emergency.

It originally began as local community defense groups during the Twilight War, when Japanese military forces were stretched thin protection the islands and people against a variety of real threats. With an extremely long coastline facing mainland China, where some of the most violent action of the Twilight War occurred, refugees and raiders were a common problem, and the military was simply unable to control the coastline entirely. Communities had no choice but to defend themselves, with the support of military advisors and supplies.

Over the years this situation was gradually codified, until by 2303 it is an established force similar to the American National Guard.

After high school graduation, all citizens are required to take basic training at a militia training facility, lasting three months. Different high schools have different school terms across the nation, providing a steady stream of graduates to the training program throughout the year. As the Japanese education system stresses physical education, basic training does not need to spend excessive amounts of time on physical training, although of course that constitutes a large part of the program. Instead, courses concentrate on teamwork, following orders intelligently, analyzing and solving problems, and responding to various emergency situations including medical emergencies and natural disasters. All students are trained in the use of firearms, but only briefly.

Between the ages of 18 and 26 all citizens are subject to a draft for Public Service. They may also volunteer, of course. If selected, they will be assigned to one of a variety of organizations serving the local community - in this case, generally at the prefectural level. These organizations include general public works construction, wildlife and forestry (including some coastal fisheries work), overseas service in the Japan Overseas Cooperation Agency (JOCA) providing a range of services and aid to the needy in other nations, and disaster preparedness and response. Volunteers may select their service, in most cases, and only volunteers may serve in the Home Island Militia (except in times of national emergency, when a military draft may be imposed).

Once in the Home Island Militia, citizens serve in 4-year terms. Training is held for four days every month, plus a 2-week training session each year. Units train under officers from active military units, and use the same equipment and weaponry as military forces. In times of military emergency, the Home Islands Militia is under the full control of the Imperial Defense Force, and (in theory) can be dispatched to fight away from the Home Islands entirely. While the legal framework is in place to make this possible, it has never been done (although Militia units do train overseas), and no doubt any attempt to send Militia units into foreign combat would be met with fierce opposition at the political level.

About half of the personnel in the Militia are veterans from regular military forces, with the remainder drawn from the general public without any military training. There is no upper age limit for service, but physical and mental qualifications must be met.

The Home Island Militia is split into two major branches, the Land Militia and the Air Militia. The Land Militia is maintained at a strength of about 300,000, and the Air Militia at about 100,000, although these numbers also include personnel active in training, support, service and other non-combat roles.

10. JDF organizational chart

The Japanese Defense Force (JDF) organization is shown below: (still needs a lot of work)

President of Japan	.	.
Joint Chiefs of Staff	Military Intelligence Command	.
.	Medical Services Command	.
.	Training Command	Advanced Operations Training Academy
.	.	Naval Surface Training Command
.	.	Naval Submarine Training Command
.	.	Air Training Command
.	.	Douglas MacArthur Combined Arms Training Facility (the "hot school")
.	.	Ryuzoji Kenshiro Combined Arms Training Facility (the "cold school")
.	Weaponry Test Center	.
.	Air Development and Test Command	.
.	Procurement Command	.
.	Yamamoto Isoroku Naval Academy	.
.	Walker Development Center	.
.	Strategic Analysis Office	.
.	Logistics Command	.
Japanese Imperial Defense Force (IDF)	HighCom Nisshou Orbital Command Center	.
.	Navy	Home Fleet
.	.	Pacific Fleet
.	.	Pilipinas Fleet
.	Overseas Intervention Force	.
Colonial Defense Force (CDF)	.	.
Space Defense Force (SDF)	.	.