Japan Self-Defense Forces miss recruitment goal by half

Better pay in private sector lures away potential enlistees

The SDF only hit about 30% of its recruitment target for fixed-term personnel last fiscal year. © Kyodo

SHINNOSUKE NAGATOMI, Nikkei staff writer

July 9, 2024 02:10 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's Self-Defense Forces recruited roughly half the number of new personnel targeted for fiscal 2023, hampered by heightened competition with the private sector and the country's declining birthrate.

The SDF aimed to add 19,598 new personnel, but recruited only 9,959 -- just 51% of the goal and its lowest figure ever, according to data released Monday by the Defense Ministry.