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72-540: The Izuhakone Railway ( 伊豆箱根鉄道 , Izu Hakone Tetsudō ) is a private railway company in Kanagawa Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture , Japan . The company also operates excursion ships, and the group companies operate buses and taxis. The company has its roots in Zusō Railway ( 豆相鉄道 , Zusō Tetsudō ) founded in 1893. Izuhakone Railway is a member of Seibu group . The Daiyūzan Line accepts PASMO ,

144-664: A smart card ticketing system. The company operates two detached lines in different prefectures. The Daiyūzan Line runs in Kanagawa Prefecture, while the Sunzu Line runs in Shizuoka Prefecture. Both lines primarily function as commuter rails , but the latter also transports tourists to the Izu Peninsula . In the past, it also operated "Komagatake Cable Line" (駒ヶ岳鋼索線), which was connected to

216-547: A fleet of various auxiliary ships . The fleet has a total displacement of approximately 624,000 tonnes, excluding auxiliary vessels. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations. The JMSDF is commanded by the Chief of the Maritime Staff. Its structure consists of

288-581: A result of continuing effective defense investment due to Japan's economic development and an end to the Cold War , the JMSDF became the world's fourth largest navy by total tonnage by 2000. Japan has the eighth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, and the JMSDF is responsible for protecting this large area. As an island nation, dependent on maritime trade for the majority of its resources, including food and raw materials, maritime operations are

360-468: A total of 1,000 crew members. Each Escort Flotilla is formed as a fleet of eight destroyers and eight on-board helicopters. Each force is composed of one helicopter destroyer (DDH) acting as a command ship, two guided-missile destroyers (DDG) and five standard or ASW destroyers (DD). The JMSDF is planning to reorganize the respective Escort Flotillas into a DDH group and DDG group, enabling faster overseas deployments. Five district units act in concert with

432-436: A very important aspect of Japanese defense policy. The JMSDF is known in particular for its anti-submarine warfare and minesweeping capabilities. Defense planners believe the most effective approach to combating hostile submarines entails mobilizing all available weapons, including surface combatants, submarines, patrol planes , and helicopters . They are also known to operate at least fourteen listening stations all over

504-512: Is believed that the imperial dynasty ruled this area from the 5th century onwards. In the ancient era , its plains were very sparsely inhabited. In medieval Japan, Kanagawa was part of the provinces of Sagami and Musashi . Kamakura in central Sagami was the capital of Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). During the Edo period , the western part of Sagami Province was governed by

576-577: Is characterized by the Tama Hills and Miura Peninsula . The central region, which surrounds the Tama Hills and Miura Peninsula, consists of flat stream terraces and low lands around major rivers including the Sagami River , Sakai River , Tsurumi River , and Tama River . The Tama River forms much of the boundary between Kanagawa and Tokyo. The Sagami River flows through the middle of

648-686: Is limited by the absence of aircraft carriers , though its destroyers and frigates equipped with the Aegis combat system provide a formidable capability in antiaircraft and antimissile warfare . These capabilities are force multipliers, allowing force projection of Japan's sizable destroyer and frigate force far from home waters, and acquiring them is contentious considering Japan's "passive" defense policy. Long-range strike capability will be introduced as soon as Tomahawk cruise missiles are deployed on JMSDF destroyers. Destroyers and combat support ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were dispatched to

720-708: Is lower in height southward leading to Hadano Basin to the Ōiso Hills. At the eastern foothills of the mountain range lies the Isehara Plateau and across the Sagami River the Sagamino plateau . Nineteen cities are located in Kanagawa Prefecture. These are the towns and villages in each district : Kanagawa's transport network is heavily intertwined with that of Tokyo ( see: Transportation in Greater Tokyo ). Shin-Yokohama and Odawara stations on

792-528: Is planned to be a high-speed trimaran designed for operations in shallow coastal waters capable of carrying helicopters, possibly a lighter variant of the American 3,000-tonne (3,000-long-ton) littoral combat ship . The study was conducted in response to the growth of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy and budgetary issues with the U.S. military that may affect their ability to operate in

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864-643: Is that this article allows for military forces to be kept for the purposes of self-defense. Due to Cold War pressures, the United States was also happy for Japan to provide part of its own defense, rather than have it fully rely on American forces . In 1952, the Safety Security Force was formed within the Maritime Safety Agency , incorporating the minesweeping fleet and other military vessels, mainly destroyers, given by

936-716: The Izumo -class destroyers to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets. This makes them de facto aircraft carriers . To avoid controversy, the ruling parties call it a "multi-purpose operation destroyer". It would be the first such ship in the JMSDF since World War II . On 23 May 2019, retired MSDF vice-admiral Toshiyuki Ito stated that Japan requires at least four Izumo -class destroyers to be viable for real naval combat operations. He said "If you only have two vessels, you can only use them for training personnel for taking off and landing operations, so this plan doesn't make sense for MSDF officers, frankly speaking." As aircraft carriers ,

1008-753: The daimyō of Odawara Castle , while the eastern part was directly governed by the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Kanagawa in 1853 and 1854 and signed the Convention of Kanagawa to force open Japanese ports to the United States. Yokohama , the largest deep-water port in Tokyo Bay , was opened to foreign traders in 1859 after several more years of foreign pressure, and eventually developed into

1080-554: The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake was deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in Sagami Bay. It devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama , surrounding prefectures of Chiba , Kanagawa , and Shizuoka , and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region . The sea receded as much as 400 metres from the shore at Manazuru Point , and then rushed back towards the shore in a great wall of water which swamped Mitsuishi-shima. At Kamakura ,

1152-689: The Battle of Amami-Ōshima . In 2002, the JMSDF deployed ships to the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Anaconda during the War in Afghanistan . In August 2003, a new "helicopter carrier" class was ordered, the Hyūga -class helicopter destroyer . Due to the size and features of the ship, including a full-length flight deck , it was classified as a helicopter carrier by Lloyd's Register — similar to

1224-532: The Bōsō Peninsula . Kanagawa Prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area , the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with Yokohama and many of its cities being major commercial hubs and southern suburbs of Tokyo. Kanagawa Prefecture was the political and economic center of Japan during the Kamakura period when Kamakura was the de facto capital and largest city of Japan as the seat of

1296-573: The East China Sea southwest of the Japanese home islands ( pictured ). On 6 October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan ( pictured ) as part of the military response to ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands . On 16 November 2022,

1368-685: The Fleet Air Force headquartered at Atsugi , the Fleet Submarine Force based at Yokosuka and Kure, the Mine Warfare Force based at Yokosuka and the Fleet Training Command at Yokosuka. In March 2018, Ryoko Azuma became the first female squadron commander in the JMSDF. Her unit includes the flagship Izumo , the largest warship in the JMSDF. She commands four warships making up a division with

1440-694: The Indian Navy . On 16 December 2022, the Japanese Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略), the strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (NDS or 国家防衛戦略) document outlined Japan's defense policy goals and

1512-682: The Izumo -class destroyers are relatively small, only able to carry approximately 10 F-35Bs, which Ito argued were too few to provide effective air defense. In 2019, the National Diet of Japan approved the order of 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in addition to 135 F-35A model conventional takeoff and landing fighters for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate from their land bases;

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1584-677: The Japanese Navy , is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces , tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II . The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel. Following Japan's defeat in World War II , the Imperial Japanese Navy was dissolved by

1656-575: The Kamakura shogunate from 1185 to 1333. Kanagawa Prefecture is a popular tourist area in the Tokyo region, with Kamakura and Hakone being two popular side trip destinations. The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period (around 400 BCE). About 3,000 years ago, Mount Hakone produced a volcanic explosion which resulted in Lake Ashi on the western area of the prefecture. It

1728-473: The Korean Peninsula . On 19 December 2023, United States, Japan, and South Korea announced the activation of a real-time North Korea missile warning system as well as jointly established a multi-year trilateral exercise plan in response to North Korea's continued ballistic missile launches. The ship prefix JDS (Japanese Defense Ship) was used until 2008, at which time JMSDF ships started using

1800-675: The Potsdam Declaration acceptance. Ships were disarmed, and some of them, such as the battleship Nagato , were taken by the Allied Powers as reparations. The remaining ships were used for repatriation of the Japanese soldiers from abroad and also for minesweeping in the area around Japan, initially under the control of the Second Bureau of the Demobilization Ministry . The minesweeping fleet

1872-548: The Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay on the south and east. The eastern side of the prefecture is relatively flat and heavily urbanized, including the large port cities of Yokohama and Kawasaki . The southeastern area nearby the Miura Peninsula is less urbanized, with the ancient city of Kamakura drawing tourists to temples and shrines. The western part, bordered by Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture on

1944-580: The Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers for the Occupation of Japan , landed in Kanagawa, before moving to other areas. U.S. military bases still remain in Kanagawa, including Camp Zama ( Army ), Yokosuka Naval Base , Naval Air Facility Atsugi ( Navy ). In 1945, Kanagawa was the 15th most populous prefecture in Japan, with the population of about 1.9 million. In the years after the war,

2016-680: The Tōkaidō Shinkansen are located in the prefecture, providing high-speed rail service to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and other major cities. The Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education manages and oversees individual municipal school districts. The board of education also directly operates most of the public high schools in the prefecture. Kanagawa Prefecture has sister relationships with these places: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( Japanese : 海上自衛隊 , Hepburn : Kaijō Jieitai ) , abbreviated JMSDF ( 海自 , Kaiji ) , also simply known as

2088-603: The United Kingdom 's HMS  Ocean . There was discussion about whether an aircraft carrier would be prohibited by Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution , since aircraft carriers are generally considered offensive weapons. The Self-Defense Forces are not allowed to possess ICBMs , strategic bombers , or attack aircraft carriers. Historically (until about 1975 in the U.S. Navy ) large-scale carriers were classified as "attack aircraft carriers" and

2160-569: The 12 vessels to the JMSDF from fiscal year 2023, which starts on April 1, 2023. On August 31 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced that JMSDF will operate two " Aegis system equipped ships " (イージス・システム搭載艦 in Japanese) to replace the earlier plan of Aegis Ashore installations, commissioning one by the end of fiscal year 2027, and the other by the end of FY2028. The budget for design and other related expenses are to be submitted in

2232-577: The Cold War threat posed by the Soviet Navy 's sizable and powerful submarine fleet, the JMSDF was primarily tasked with an anti-submarine role. Following the end of the Cold War , the role of the JMSDF has vastly changed. In 1991, after international pressure, the JMSDF dispatched four minesweepers, a fleet oiler ( JDS Tokiwa ) and a minesweeping tender (JDS Hayase ) to the Persian Gulf in

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2304-807: The Defense Buildup Program, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current eight to ten, as well as two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By the end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . The JMSDF has an official strength of 50,000 personnel, but presently numbers around 50,800 active personnel. As

2376-710: The F-35B is same model aircraft that the US Marines operate from US Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the US Marines also plan to fly from the Japanese Izumo class after the STOVL modifications and refit. On October 14 2020, the 3,000-ton submarine Taigei was unveiled. This is the first vessel of the Taigei class and the 22nd submarine vessel of the JMSDF. The Taigei entered service in 2022, and

2448-516: The Indian Ocean from 2001 to 2008 to participate in OEF-MIO (Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation). Their mission is to prevent the marine transportation of illegal weapons and ammunition, and the drugs which fund terrorist activity. Since 2004, the JMSDF has provided ships of foreign forces with fuel for their ships and ship-based helicopters, as well as freshwater. This

2520-545: The Indian Ocean. In May 2010, Japan announced its intention to build a permanent naval base in Djibouti , from which it will conduct operations to protect merchant shipping from Somali pirates . The JMSDF and the U.S. Navy frequently carry out joint exercises and "U.S. Navy officials have claimed that they have a closer daily relationship with the JMSDF than any other navy in the world". The JMSDF participates in RIMPAC ,

2592-589: The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF). The two ASEV warship would be exclusively tasked for dedicated ballistic missile defense (BDM) missions (BMD等) and operate off the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan , allowing the other Aegis guided-missile destroyers to meet other contingencies (侵攻阻止) while operating independently to maintain the maritime domain awareness (MDA) and keep the sea lines of communication (SLOC) open in

2664-665: The Maritime Staff Office, the Self Defense Fleet, five regional district commands, the air-training squadron and various support units, such as hospitals and schools. The Maritime Staff Office, located in Tokyo, serves the Chief of Staff in commanding and supervising the force. The Self-Defense Fleet, headquartered at Yokosuka , consists of the JMSDF's military shipping. It is composed of Fleet Escort Force, based in Yokosuka , Sasebo , Maizuru and Kure ,

2736-745: The Pacific. The J-LCS would be used to intervene during Chinese ship incursions near the Senkaku Islands and other contested areas in the East China Sea , and possibly counter similar Chinese vessels like the Type 056 corvette and Type 022 missile boat . A 1,000-tonne (980-long-ton) J-LCS with an enlarged hull could operate the SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter or the MCH-101 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter. On May 1 2017, JS  Izumo

2808-404: The Taepodong-1 missile over northern Japan, the JMSDF has increased its efforts in air defense . A ship-based anti-ballistic missile system was successfully test-fired on 18 December 2007 and has been installed on Japan's Aegis-equipped destroyers. In November 2009, the JMSDF announced plans for a larger "helicopter carrier", the Izumo -class helicopter destroyer . The first one of these ships

2880-424: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 22 February 2023, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan in response to

2952-423: The U.S. Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency . This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest Maya -class destroyers . On 16 December 2022, Second Kishida Reshuffled Cabinet approved a trio of defense-related policy documents, including its new National Security Strategy (NSS or 国家安全保障戦略),

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3024-426: The United States. In 1954, the SSF was separated, and the JMSDF was formally created as the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), following the passage of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Law. The first ships in the JMSDF were former U.S. Navy destroyers, transferred to Japanese control in 1954. In 1956, the JMSDF received its first domestically produced destroyer since World War II, Harukaze . Due to

3096-407: The United States. The JMSDF has dispatched a number of its destroyers on a rotating schedule to the Indian Ocean in an escort role for allied vessels as part of the UN-led Operation Enduring Freedom . The JMSDF, along with the Japan Coast Guard , has also been active in preventing North Korean infiltrators from reaching Japan and on 22 December 2001, engaged and sank a North Korean spy ship in

3168-477: The aftermath of the Gulf War , under the name of Operation Gulf Dawn, to clear mines sown by Saddam Hussein 's defending forces. Starting with a mission to Cambodia in 1993 when JSDF personnel were supported by JDS Towada , it has been active in a number of UN-led peacekeeping operations throughout Asia. In 1993, the JMSDF commissioned its first Aegis -equipped destroyer, Kongō . It has also been active in joint naval exercises with other countries, such as

3240-411: The annual multi-national military exercise near Hawaii that has been hosted by the U.S. Navy since 1980. The JMSDF dispatched a ship to the Russian Vladivostok harbor in July 1996 to participate in the Russian Navy 's 300th Anniversary Naval Review. In return, Admiral Vinogradov , an Udaloy -class destroyer , called at Tokyo Bay in June 1997. The JMSDF has also conducted joint naval exercises with

3312-441: The country that have ELINT and marine surveillance radar warning systems. Historically, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has been relied on to provide air cover at sea, a role that is subordinate to the JASDF's primary mission of air defense of the home islands. Extended patrols over sea lanes are beyond the JASDF's current capabilities. The Japanese fleet's capacity to provide ship-based antiaircraft warfare protection

3384-424: The defense minister ordered the JMSDF to return from the Indian Ocean, fulfilling a government pledge to end the eight-year refueling mission. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama refused to renew the law authorizing the mission, ignoring requests from the American government for continuation. Both the Western alliance country typified by the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Danish Navy , doing friendship activities in

3456-411: The end of the decade, the JMSDF will operate 12 ships equipped with Aegis Weapon System (AWS) and likewise plans to replace its fleet of older, less capable destroyers and destroyer escorts with Mogami -class frigates . On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's 2023 budget and program guidance documented provided examples of operations (運用の一例) for the Aegis-equipped naval forces of

3528-406: The first time in 36 years. After a meeting between the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ( Second Abe Cabinet ) and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy on 4 March 2014, the Japanese Defense Ministry and U.S. Department of Defense announced they would hold studies for the joint development of the littoral vessel under the bilateral Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. The vessel

3600-447: The fleet to guard the waters of their jurisdictions and provide shore-based support. Each district is home to a major JMSDF base and its supporting personnel and staff. Each district is home to one or two regional escort squadrons, composed of two to three destroyers or destroyer escorts (DE). The destroyers tend to be of older classes, mainly former escort force ships. The destroyer escorts tend to be purpose built vessels. Each district has

3672-417: The form of "item requests", without specific amounts, and the initial procurement of the lead items are expected to clear legislation by FY2023. Construction is to begin in the following year of FY2024. At 20,000 tons each, both vessels will be the largest surface combatant warships operated by the JMSDF, and according to Popular Mechanics , they will "arguably [be] the largest deployable surface warships in

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3744-423: The guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. Two days later, the Haguro fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the U.S. Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with

3816-457: The largest trading port in Japan. Nearby Yokosuka , closer to the mouth of Tokyo Bay, developed as a naval port and now serves as headquarters for the U.S. 7th Fleet and the fleet operations of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . After the Meiji period , many foreigners lived in Yokohama City, and visited Hakone . The Meiji government developed the first railways in Japan, from Shinbashi (in Tokyo) to Yokohama in 1872. The epicenter of

3888-407: The launch of a North Korean Hwasong-15 ballistic missile on 18 February 2023, landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Sea of Japan, in an area 125 miles west of the island of Ōshima , which lies 30 miles (48 km) west of the main island of Hokkaido . Two additional IBCBMs were subsequently launched on 20 February 2023, with both landing in the Sea of Japan off the east coast of

3960-495: The means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (DBP or 防衛力整備計画) document outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to the Defense Buildup Program document, the JMSDF will increase the number of Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers (DDG) from the current 8 to 10 warships, as well as the introduction of two Aegis system-equipped vessels (ASEV) to be deployed in ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations. By

4032-412: The prefecture underwent rapid urbanization as a part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The population as of September 1, 2014 is estimated to be 9.1 million. Kanagawa became the second most populous prefecture in 2006. Kanagawa is a relatively small prefecture located at the southeastern corner of the Kantō Plain wedged between Tokyo on the north, the foothills of Mount Fuji on the northwest, and

4104-666: The prefecture. In the western region, the Sakawa runs through a small lowland, the Sakawa Lowland, between Mount Hakone to the west and the Ōiso Hills to the east, and flows into Sagami Bay. The Tanzawa Mountain Range, part of the Kantō Mountain Range, contains Mount Hiru (1,673 m or 5,489 ft), the highest peak in the prefecture. Other mountains measure similar mid-range heights: Mount Hinokiboramaru (1,601 m or 5,253 ft), Mount Tanzawa , (1,567 m or 5,141 ft), Mount Ōmuro (1,588 m or 5,210 ft), Mount Himetsugi (1,433 m or 4,701 ft), and Mount Usu (1,460 m or 4,790 ft). The mountain range

4176-589: The prefix JS (Japanese Ship) to reflect the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to the Ministry of Defense . As of 2014 , the JMSDF operates a total of 124 ships, excluding minor auxiliary vessels. This includes: two multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto aircraft carriers ), two helicopter carriers ( called helicopter destroyers ), 26 destroyers , 10 small destroyers ( or frigates ), six destroyer escorts ( or corvettes ), 22 attack submarines , 29 mine countermeasure vessels , six patrol vessels , three landing ship tanks , eight training vessels and

4248-441: The ropeway at the top of the mountain from 1957 to 2005. Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama is the capital and largest city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second-largest city in Japan, with other major cities including Kawasaki , Sagamihara , and Fujisawa . Kanagawa Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern Pacific coast on Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay , separated by the Miura Peninsula , across from Chiba Prefecture on

4320-425: The second ship of the class, Hakugei , was commissioned in 2023. On 30 June 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) by Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$ 66 million) per ship. The purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around

4392-414: The smaller carriers as " anti-submarine aircraft carriers ". Since helicopter carriers have little built-in attack capability and they primarily fulfill defensive roles such as anti-submarine warfare, the Japanese government argues that the prohibition does not extend to helicopter carriers. With an increase in tensions with North Korea following the 1993 test of the Nodong-1 missile and the 1998 test of

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4464-411: The southwestern Ryukyu Islands , including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea , by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region. These vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a wide range of missions involving "enhanced steady-state intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in the waters around Japan". Under the contract, JMU is charged with delivering

4536-428: The strategic guideline document for the Japanese government's policies regarding diplomacy, defense, and economic security for the next decade. Based on the NSS, the National Defense Strategy (国家防衛戦略) outlined Japan's defense policy goals and the means to achieve them while the Defense Buildup Program (防衛力整備計画) outlined the scale of the introduction of specific defense equipment within the budgetary objectives. According to

4608-427: The total death toll from earthquake, tsunami, and fire exceeded 2,000 victims. At Odawara , ninety percent of the buildings collapsed immediately, and subsequent fires burned the rubble along with anything else left standing. Yokohama, Kawasaki , and other major cities were heavily damaged by the U.S. bombing in 1945. Total casualties amounted to more than several thousand. After the war, General Douglas MacArthur ,

4680-400: The west, is more mountainous and includes resort areas like Odawara and Hakone . The area, stretching 80 kilometres (50 mi) from west to east and 60 kilometres (37 mi) from north to south, contains 2,400 square kilometres (930 sq mi) of land, accounting for 0.64% of the total land area of Japan. As of 1 April 2012 , 23% of the total land area of the prefecture

4752-471: The world". On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer Maya fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. On 18 November 2022, the Haguro likewise fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere. Both test firings were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai Island , Hawaii, in cooperation with

4824-546: Was commissioned in March 2020. Japan and the United States conducted the biggest military exercise around Japan in the biennial Keen Sword from 29 October to 2 November 2018. It included a total of 57,000 sailors, marines and airmen. 47,000 service members were from the JSDF and 10,000 from the U.S. Armed Forces . A naval supply ship and a frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy also participated. There were simulations of air combat, ballistic missile defense and amphibious landings. On 18 December 2018, Japan announced it would refit

4896-410: Was designated as Natural Parks , namely the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park ; Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park; and Jinba Sagamiko , Manazuru Hantō , Okuyugawara , and Tanzawa-Ōyama Prefectural Natural Parks. Topographically, the prefecture consists of three distinct areas. The mountainous western region features the Tanzawa Mountain Range and the volcano Mount Hakone . The hilly eastern region

4968-447: Was dispatched to protect a U.S. Navy supply vessel in the Pacific. This was the first time the JMSDF was used to defend allied vessels since the 2016 amendment to the Japanese Constitution. Japan christened the 84 m (275 ft 7 in) long, 2,950 t (2,900-long-ton) JS Ōryū submarine on October 4 2018. It is Japan's first submarine powered by lithium-ion batteries and was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . It

5040-445: Was eventually transferred to the newly formed Maritime Safety Agency , which helped maintain the resources and expertise of the navy. Japan's 1947 Constitution was drawn up after the conclusion of the war, which contained Article 9 , which specified that "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes." The prevalent view in Japan

5112-438: Was laid down in 2012 and was launched on 6 August 2013. The submarine fleet of the JMSDF consists of some of the most technologically advanced diesel-electric submarines in the world. This is due to careful defense planning in which the submarines are routinely retired from service ahead of schedule and replaced by more advanced models. In 2010 it was announced that the Japanese submarine fleet would be increased in size for

5184-618: Was the third time Japanese military vessels had been dispatched overseas since World War II, following the deployments of mine-sweeping units during the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War . The law enabling the mission expired on 2 November 2007, and the operation was temporarily canceled due to a veto of a new bill authorizing the mission by the opposition-controlled upper chamber of the Japanese Diet . In January 2010,

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