Japan’s Self-Defense Forces also face a personnel shortage of approximately 30,000 as population decline pushes its defense strategy toward “unmanned operations”

The declining population is making it difficult to secure personnel for the Self-Defense Forces, which are currently said to face a shortfall of approximately 30,000. The outlook also indicates that the population eligible for recruitment is expected to continue declining.

In the Defense of Japan 2026, issued in August 2026, Japan set out a policy of emphasizing the use of AI, autonomous systems and long-range weapons, identifying adaptation to new ways of warfare as a priority.

To strengthen coastal defense, plans are under way to invest substantial funds in combinations of unmanned systems, including drones, unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles. The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency is overseeing the program.

While incorporating lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East into the Self-Defense Forces' investment decisions, the report also emphasizes population decline as a factor driving investment in unmanned systems.