自 衛 隊(じえいたい)

じえいたい

noun

Self-Defense Forces; Japan's military

1. Self-Defense Forces; Japan's military

Japan's unified military forces, established in 1954 under the Self-Defense Forces Law. Consists of Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces.

兄(あに)は自衛隊(じえいたい)に入(はい)った。

My older brother joined the Self-Defense Forces.

自衛隊(じえいたい)の役割(やくわり)について考(かんが)える。

To think about the role of the Self-Defense Forces.

自衛隊(じえいたい)が災害(さいがい)救助(きゅうじょ)に出動(しゅつどう)した。

The Self-Defense Forces were deployed for disaster relief.

Branches

陸上(りくじょう)自衛隊(じえいたい): Ground Self-Defense Force
海上(かいじょう)自衛隊(じえいたい): Maritime Self-Defense Force
航空(こうくう)自衛隊(じえいたい): Air Self-Defense Force

Common collocations

自衛隊(じえいたい)に入(はい)る: to join the SDF
自衛隊(じえいたい)員(いん): SDF member
自衛隊(じえいたい)の派遣(はけん): SDF deployment

Cultural note

Under Japan's pacifist constitution, Japan maintains Self-Defense Forces rather than a traditional military. They are primarily used for disaster relief within Japan and international peacekeeping.

Related Words

Related: 自衛(じえい) (self-defense)

Related: 防衛(ぼうえい) (defense)

Compare: 軍部(ぐんぶ) (the military)

Compare: 自衛官(じえいかん) (Self-Defense Forces member)

general

Added 2026.1.16 18:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

05500/05790_jieitai