| 1st Airborne Brigade, JGSDF Air Defense Artillery Groups | Also known as "Old Camo" or "Airborne Camo", it is the first camo scheme adopted by Japan after World War II. It is based on Hokkaido's wilderness (effective in Sasa veitchii field). The shades become distinguishable after wash, and the pattern itself doesn't match to the environment in mainland Japan, leading to the introduction of Type II camouflage. | 1970s–1990s (still in limited use in 2014) |
| Recently adopted by the JGSDF | Modified from ''Type II'' pattern with a 50% cotton/50% vinylon or 70% vinylon/30% cotton fabric (depending on the year of contract/manufacturer) and other changes including a change in the front closure, a mandarin collar, Velcro cuffs and pocket lids, wider pen pockets, a loop inside the right chest pocket for ID card chain, two calf storage pockets, and knee pads in the trousers. The back pocket on the trousers has been eliminated. The belt (made from the same fabric) comes with a name tag, unlike the former Type II Combat Uniform/Type II Camouflaged Work Uniform. The Type III Combat Uniform/Type III Camouflaged Work Uniform(戦闘服3型・迷彩作業服3型, or shortly 戦闘服)has the same pattern as the Type II camouflage. Each soldier receives two sets of the Type III Work Uniform after enlisting, and after the boot camp each soldier receives two sets of Type III Combat Uniform, Airborne Uniform or Tank Uniform, depending on the unit the soldier belongs to. The Combat Uniform and Camouflaged Work Uniform are identical to each other, except for the product tag. Commercial version of the item (100% polyester version, cotton/poli version etc.) is no longer authorized to be used, including the vinylon/cotton fabric version. The use of commercial combat cap in vinylon/cotton fabric is authorized. The commercial versions have slightly different shades.| 2007–present|-| JGSDF Desert camouflage| JGSDF International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit, JGSDF Central Readiness Force| Adopted by the JGSDF for Middle Eastern deployments. This camo is a desert version of the JGSDF's flecktarn pattern. The first unit using this particular camouflage was the Central Readiness Force during the 4th DAPE (Deployment Air Force for Counter-Piracy Operation) in the Gulf of Aden.| June 2010–present|}Uniforms
Name | Description | Image |
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| Miscellaneous clothing. | | | Issued as a personal item. | | | Jungle boots with kevlar-like lining, the same model issued as a personal item is called ")" | | Cold-Weather Boots | Compatible with military issue cross-country skis | | Work Jacket | Issued as personal item. Intended to be used in cold seasons over the work uniform. Consists of two chest pockets and two lower pockets (with flaps without closures). | | Combat Underwear Type 2 | Khaki flame-resistant T-shirt, mainly used for ceremonial purposes. | | Cold-Weather Combat Uniform Inner (Under) | A long-sleeved shirt and matching pants, made from thin synthetic fabric. | | Cold-Weather Combat Uniform Inner (Outer) | Acryl sweater and matching pants, comes with a buttoned collar which is worn folded. | | Name tags | Unlike the rank/skill insignias (in a green shade of the current camo), usually the name tags are in the olive drab of the Type 65 Work Uniform. Since the army regulation doesn't mention the name tags, each unit has its own regulation for the tags. Therefore, the layout, length, font, letters (Japanese or Latin alphabet), placement, method of attachment (either sewing or using velcro) etc. vary. Some troops do not use name tags for winter jackets. | | Shoulder pouch | May be purchased individually, since the combat uniform doesn't have shoulder pockets. There are various commercial versions. Some troops use the velcro version to attach unit patches, insignias etc.. | | Tracksuits and running shoes | Recruits are required to buy their own tracksuits and a pair of running shoes upon enlistment. Called the "ジャー戦 (Jaasen, literally jersey and combat uniform)", it is composed of a combat jacket, combat cap, trackpants and sneakers. This uniform code is often used in boot camp for jogging, eating in canteen or bathing. | | 部隊識別帽 (Baseball Cap) | Many troops use baseball caps with the troop's logo instead of the issued combat cap. Since it is unofficially introduced, it is not provided by the Force. There are no standards for the cap, although, in many cases the cap has the soldier's family name on top of the left ear. | | CAB Clothing Coolnice 2 Pack OD T-shirts | Issued to some troops during the 2011 Tohoku campaigns. | | Carabiner | May be purchased individually, to attach it to the either right or left waist tab on the combat uniform to hang gloves or combat cap. | | |
Protection
Name | Type | Description | Image |
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Type 66 helmet | Helmet | Largely replaced by the Type 88 helmet. Like the American M1 helmet upon which it was based, it is made of iron alloy. | | Type 88 Helmet | Helmet | Japanese version of Kevlar PASGT helmet, replacing Type 66 helmet. | | | Bullet-proof vest | Stored as a weapon, instead of a personal belonging, . Comes with ammo pouches. In some units, the and/or are issued . | | | Bullet-proof vest | Introduced in 1992 | | | Bullet-proof vest | The improvement Type 3 Kai was Introduced in 2015.[1] | | (AVS) | Bullet-proof vest | Successor of the .8,000 vests ordered under the 2023 military budget for JPY 2.7 billion. | | |
Rations
- Type I Combat Rations – Can-meshi (canned type ration packs)[2]
- Type II Combat Rations – Pack-meshi (boiled in bag type ration packs)
- Survival Ration Pack – Emergency rations for aircrew, etc. Also used by ASDF & MSDF.
- Training Rations – Commercial style perishable food/drink items used in exercises, on base, and when supplying civilians at PR events or during disaster relief.)
- MCW/LRP ration – Japanese-produced equivalent of the American ration.
Infantry weapons
Standard issue weapons
Name | Type | Caliber | Origin | Notes | Image |
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Handguns |
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Minebea P9 | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Made under license by Minebea, designated the Minebea P9. Used with a leather holster or Safariland leg holster. Standard issue as of 1982.[3] | | H&K SFP9-M | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | | Replacement for the SIG P220 beginning in 2020. 323 pistols have been purchased.[4] | | Submachine guns |
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Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol | Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | | Made by Minebea. Introduced in 1999, it is the only domestically produced submachine gun of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is derived from the Uzi.[5] | | Assault rifles and battle rifles |
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Howa Type 89 | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | | Service rifle, entered service in 1989. | | Howa Type 64 | Battle rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | | Service rifle, entered service in 1964. It is gas-operated. | | Howa Type 20 | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | | New service rifle, replacing the Howa Type 89, beginning in 2020. A total of 3,283 rifles have been purchased.[6] 8,577 are to be purchased in 2024.[7] Beretta GLX160 will be installed as under-barrel grenade launchers on some of the rifles.
| | Machine guns |
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Sumitomo MINIMI 5.56mm Machine Gun | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | | Made under license by Sumitomo, standard squad-level machine gun. Unique to the Sumitomo Minimi, the barrel has a heat shield.[8] | | Minimi MK3 | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | Belgium | Successor of the Sumitomo MINIMI. 514 to be ordered in 2024 for $6.88 million.A total of 3,100 is planned to be purchased. | | NTK/Sumitomo Type 62 machine gun | General purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | | Made by Sumitomo. It has been largely superseded by the Minimi, but it is still used for infantry support as a medium machine gun, and in certain vehicle-mounted roles.[9] | | NTK/Sumitomo Type 74 In-vehicle machine gun | In-vehicle machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | | Fixed-mount variant of the Type 62 used specifically for armoured fighting vehicles.[10] | | Sumitomo J2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun | Heavy machine gun | 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG) |
| [11] M2 Browning made under license by Sumitomo. | | Precision rifles |
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Howa Type 64 | Designated marksman rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | | | | M24 A2 Sniper Rifle | Sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | | Made by Remington Arms. Introduced to the JSDF in 2002, it is used by snipers,[12] the 1st Airborne Brigade[13] and Special Forces Group.[14] Being replaced by the HK417. | | HK417, G28 E2 | Designated marksman rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | | 182 to be order in 2024 for $6.88 million.The intention to purchase a total of 900 of these rifles.Successor of the M24 A2. | | Grenades / grenade launchers |
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M67 series fragmentation grenade | Hand grenade | – | | [15] | | Beretta GLX 160 | Under-barrel grenade launcher | 40×46 mm LV | Italy | Selected to equip the Type 20 rifles. | | Type 06 rifle grenade | Rifle grenade | – | | Made by Daikin in 2006. A HEAT rifle grenade that can be attached to either the Howa Type 64 or Type 89.[16] | | Howa Type 96 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher | Automatic grenade launcher | 40x46mm | | First entered service in 1996. It is a blow forward weapon and is used in both infantry and vehicle roles.[17] | | Man-portable anti-tank systems |
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Howa 84RR | Recoilless rifle | 84x246mm | Sweden | Made under license by Howa, designated the 84 mm Recoilless Rifle. | | Nissan110mm LAM | Anti-tank rocket launcher | 110mm | | Made under license by Nissan/IHI IHI Aerospace.[18] | | Type 79 anti-landing-craft and anti-tank missile | Heavy anti-tank/landing-craft guided missile | 153mm | | Built by Kawasaki.[19] | | Type 87 anti-tank missile | Laser guided anti-tank missile | 110mm | | Built by Kawasaki.[20] | | Type 01 light anti-tank missile | Anti-tank guided missile | 140mm | | Built by Kawasaki.[21] | | Mines |
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M18 Claymore mine | | – | | Can be detonated either by tripwire or remote control.[22] | | |
Special forces use
Indirect fire
Vehicles
Air defence
Coastal defence
Aircraft
Future equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force
Vehicles
Historic, retired or reserve equipment
See also: Historic, retired or reserve equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
See also: List of Japanese military equipment of World War II.
References
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