TOKYO (Realist English). Nearly half of Japanese respondents believe the country’s Self-Defense Forces should remain at their current size and capability, according to a government survey released on Friday, as Japan prepares to revise key defense policies against the backdrop of a deteriorating security environment in the Asia-Pacific.
Preliminary results from the Cabinet Office survey show that 49 percent of respondents favor maintaining the status quo, while 45.2 percent support expanding the SDF’s size and capabilities — the highest level of backing for a buildup since the question was first introduced in 1991. Only 2.2 percent favored a reduction, down from 3.6 percent in the previous survey conducted in 2022.
The findings come as the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has launched discussions on revising three core national security documents by the end of the year, citing an increasingly severe regional security situation.
When asked about the roles they expect the SDF to perform, 88.3 percent of respondents pointed to disaster response, reflecting the forces’ frequent deployment following earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters. Protecting civilians was cited by 79.4 percent, while 78.1 percent said ensuring the security of Japan’s surrounding seas and airspace should be a core mission.
Under Japan’s war-renouncing Constitution, the use of force is limited strictly to self-defense, with overseas SDF activities largely confined to peacekeeping and anti-piracy operations.
Concerns about regional threats remain prominent. In a multiple-choice question on defense-related interests, 68.1 percent of respondents cited China’s military modernization and its activities in the East and South China seas, while 67.0 percent pointed to Japan’s own defense posture and capabilities. A Defense Ministry official said the growing calls to strengthen the SDF reflect both their visibility during disaster relief operations and heightened anxiety over Chinese, North Korean and Russian military activities.
Despite these concerns, the survey showed a slight easing in public anxiety about conflict: 80.6 percent of respondents said they see a risk of Japan becoming embroiled in a war, down 5.6 percentage points from 2022.
The survey was mailed to 3,000 people aged 18 and older between November 6 and December 14. A total of 1,534 valid responses were received by December 5.
