Part ⅣPart Ⅳ Chapter 1 Core Elements Comprising Defense Capability, etc. Human Resource Base that Sustains the Defense Capability Reinforcing Human Resource Base ● The NDPG specifies that the core element of defense capability is SDF personnel, and that securing human resources for SDF personnel and improving their ability and morale are essential to strengthening defense capability. This has become an imminent challenge in the face of shrinking and aging population with declining birth rates. Also in light of the sustainability and resilience of defense capability, the SDF needs to work even further to reinforce the human resource base that sustains the defense capability. Changes in the Number of People Eligible to Join the SDF 21,000 About 18.81 million people 20,000 19,000 18,000 The number of 18-32 year-olds (thousand people) About 17.5 million people About 17.43 million people The number of 18-26 year-olds (thousand people) The number of 18 year-olds (thousand people) About 15.63 million people 17,000 16,000 About 13.73 million people 15,000 14,000 About 12.41 million people 13,000 About 11.05 million people 12,000 11,000 About 10.02 million people 10,000 About 8.97 million people 9,000 About 7.81 million people 8,000 About 7.2 million people 7,000 Effective Use of Human Resources 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 About 1.84 million people The NDPG and others plan to raise the mandatory early retirement age by one year during the period of the MTDP from 2020, and another one year during the period of the next MTDP in stages for each rank. The retirement age of personnel from the rank of Ichii (Captain (GSDF, ASDF)/Lieutenant (MSDF)) to Isso (Master Sergeant (GSDF, ASDF)/Petty Officer 1st Class (MSDF)) was raised in 2020. In addition, in order to ensure an operating ratio with a limited number of personnel, the crew system was introduced in some MSDF vessels, where some crews take shifts to increase the number of operation days. The introduction of this crew system to new types of destroyers (FFM) is being considered. 2,000 About 1.21 million people About 1.06 million people About 0.91 million people About 0.83 million people About 0.75 million people 1,000 0 93 94 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 (FY) Material sources: The numbers for FY1993 and FY1994 are based on “Population Estimates of Japan 1920 - 2000” and “Current Population Estimates,” Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Data from FY2016 onward are based on “Population Projection for Japan” (medium estimates in April 2017), National Institute of Population and Social Security Research. Improvement of Living and Work Environment and Treatment The SDF will steadily renew aged everyday life/workplace fixtures, secure the necessary quantities of everyday necessities in addition to accelerating the securing and reconstruction of the necessary barracks and housing, and proceed with measures against aging and earthquake proofing of facilities. In addition, the SDF will improve their treatment based on the special nature of their missions and work environment. Specifically, in order to ensure appropriate treatment in accordance with the risk and special nature of their missions and the characteristics of the area of the office, the SDF will make improvements to special work allowance, etc. and procure portable beds and better emergency rations to improve their ability to respond to disasters. Further Promotion of Work-Life Balance and Women’s Participation Working Style Reform The MOD/SDF is promoting correction of long working hours and encouraging taking leave to ensure proper work-life balance so that every member can exert his/her full potential. Women’s Participation In terms of employing and promoting female SDF personnel, the MOD/SDF sets out a personnel management policy to ensure equal opportunity between men and women and assign the right person to the right place based on the person’s motivation and ability/aptitude. In December 2019, a woman assumed the role of commanding officer of an Aegis destroyer for the first time, promoting active participation of female SDF personnel. In addition, the MOD/SDF has been reviewing the restriction of assignment of female personnel. With the removal of the restriction on female assignments in submarines in December 2018, assignment restriction against females was completely removed with the exception of the units where female personnel cannot be assigned for reasons of maternity protection (a part of the GSDF Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Weapon Defense Unit [chemical] and Tunnel Company Units). Captain Otani was appointed as the first female commanding officer of an Aegis destroyer (December 2019) 35 DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020