Photo/Illutration Graduating cadets of the National Defense Academy toss their caps high into the air in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on March 27. (Pool)

Seventy-two cadets who graduated from the National Defense Academy have chosen not to pursue becoming officers in the Self-Defense Forces, the most in more than 30 years. 

The figure was the second highest ever, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at a news conference on March 29. 

“It is extremely disappointing,” Kishi said. “I hope we make more of an effort so that all graduates will pursue careers in the (SDF) together.”

According to the ministry, out of 479 regular cadets who graduated from the academy in fiscal 2021, which ends at the end of March, 72, or 15 percent, declined to move on to become SDF officers.

Of the 72 students, 33 said they will take a job elsewhere, nine said they will go to a graduate school outside of the academy and 30 said they declined because of family circumstances and other reasons, the ministry said.

Asked if the Russian invasion of Ukraine has possibly affected their career choices, Kishi said, “I cannot speculate on that at this point.”

But a person related to the ministry said, “It is possible that more students have lived suppressed lives under the COVID-19 pandemic and had second thoughts about their futures.”

In fiscal 1990, a record high 94 graduates of the academy, which is based in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, decided not to join the SDF.

At the time, Japan was enjoying the fruits of the “bubble” economy and the public was immersed in debate whether Japan should deploy SDF troops overseas for the First Gulf War.

The annual number of graduating cadets declining to enter the SDF has varied between four and 49 in the decade until fiscal 2020.

The academy is an institution to develop personnel who will become officers in the three branches of the SDF, with a curriculum that includes basic military training along with a standard academic program.

Cadets are exempt from paying tuition and receive a salary from the Defense Ministry while attending the academy.

Upon graduation, they are assigned to serve as a sergeant in one of the three branches of the SDF and attend a special school to receive the education to become a top senior officer in the future. 

Since fiscal 2013, those who decline to pursue careers in the SDF have not been allowed to attend the graduation ceremony, which is known for cadets tossing their caps high in the air at the conclusion.

Instead, those graduating cadets have received their diplomas at a separate location.

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